Synapses (2019) - full transcript
There are many problems in the Zhang family, but one eventful summer changes many things. Zhang Junxiong is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and that weighs heavily on his wife Wang Feng and the rest of the family. Zhang's daughter Xiao Meng is released on parole from a long prison term and struggles to reconnect with her illegitimate son Ah Chuan and her ex-boyfriend Ah Wen. A domestic crisis is narrowly averted when Zhang reconnects with his former aide-de-camp Cheng'en, a man for whom he has always harboured tender feelings. Paradoxically, the incident which does most to heal the family's wounds is the assassination of Ah Wen by a gangland rival. The Zhangs move to a new and better home. The young Ah Chuan is left pondering the meaning and value of memories.
Grandpa says...
In his memories...
the breezes are fragrant...
there are reflections in the water...
and the trees sway in the wind
He says
Life is just like an album of images
if the memories weren't there...
maybe his life could
change a bit for the better
Have it while it's hot
Hey
- Come on!
- I'll be right there
Ah Chuan!
Dinner time!
- Fine - Come on!
You took Grandpa to the market
So you should be the one to look after him
Don't let him wander
off by himself like that
What if you couldn't find him?
Would you get me a new Grandpa?
I didn't mean to
So what happened?
I told him to wait in the market
And he just wandered off
I had to go find Mr Turkey
I had to get an egg from him
- What egg?
- A turkey egg
Why did you need that?
For my homework!
Those eggs you gave me from the fridge...
They won't hatch
Those eggs are dead
The chicks died ages ago
Whatever egg you get, it won't hatch
Where do chickens come from then?
They're hatched from eggs, aren't they?
Smart-ass!
Caught in the act!
Feng, you got here at last!
You heartless people
Sit here!
How can you start gambling without me?
Boss...
I'll put ten bucks on you...
Since you're on a winning streak
Don't worry, it'll look great
Now the upper lip...
Keep your face still
Are you a monkey? Come on...
Keep your face still
Your grandma took many days off for
you recently, everything alright?
It's our busiest time
She says I need to practice more
It's okay Ah-Chuan,
I know you are a good boy
But you should still finish your homework
You see, all your classmate
hatched their eggs
Last time Gran gave me
an egg from the fridge
- An egg from the fridge?
- It's impossible to be hatched
Toss it!
Right up!
You didn't notice the ceiling?
My Grandma...
Feet!
Is a very kind person
Toes!
She works very hard
Since I was three
Grandma...
has been taking me...
and my uncle on stage...
to act in Taiwanese operas
She always says that...
spending thirty minutes on stage...
is like racing through...
thirty years of real life
I don't get what she and Grandpa say
I really don't understand
But...
Gran says...
In a few days, my mother...
will come out of prison
It makes me think...
Maybe...
my dad will soon show up too
Anyone here?
I'm back
Dad!
I'm home
Who are you looking for?
Dad!
It's me
Xiao Meng
Ma, Sis is back
Coming...
Sis
Why put the fire there? You got it wrong!
Watch out, dear
Where have the neighbors gone?
It's the urban renewal.
I want to move out too
Don't come in yet!
Yuchang, here
Stay where you are!
What's wrong?
You set the fire on the wrong threshold!
How should I know which door?
We have all these doors...
What are you talking about? The front door!
- Ma, what's wrong?
- Nothing...
Out of the way!
Careful!
Step over the fire
Burn away the bad luck!
Step over the fire, burn away the bad luck
Bring us health and happiness!
Yeah, we need it!
- What?
- Go on...
It's Xiao Meng!
Your daughter!
- She's back!
- Sis...
Everything okay here?
Sure, it's fine
Ah Chuan
Ah Chuan
It's your ma
Ah Chuan
You wanna sit by her? We can swap seats
- How about it?
- Ah Chuan!
Stop drawing! Eat your dinner!
Come on
Eat up!
- Okay - What's the matter?
Okay
He's grown up a lot
That's right. In six years...
It's what you'd expect
Yes
You've put on weight too
Haven't you?
Weren't you quite thin before?
You stuffed yourself in jail?
Hardly
You should eat more
Ah Chuan, pick up Grandpa's chopsticks
He dropped them
Grandpa peed!
Dear...
Let's go to the bedroom and get changed
Come, get up
Let's get changed
Where's the roof?
Blown away in the typhoon
Sleep here for tonight
Tomorrow...
I'll get the room ready
When I done cleaning your dad's room
You can sleep there
Dad... doesn't sleep in his own room?
Whatever you like
Get some rest
Ah Chuan
Your ma's upstairs
- You want to talk to her?
- No
No
Ah Chuan...
Why not go upstairs?
C'mon, I'll go with you
Don't want to
Why not?
Take this
It's from your dad
Buy some new clothes
And get rid of the ones you're wearing
The things you had in prison...
Bad luck
Make sure you throw them away
Don't go on wearing what you wore in prison
It's bad luck
How's dad doing?
I'm taking him to the hospital
Mr Turkey!
Mr Turkey!
Mr Turkey!
Ah Chuan, all right there?
Mr Turkey...
In our house...
there's now one more person
My ma's back now
- She's out of jail - Oh
It's a holiday homework project
We're supposed to hatch an egg
What kind of egg?
- A chicken egg?
- One that will hatch, so...
- Any kind of egg will do?
- Yup
Can you give me one?
You want...
one of my turkey eggs?
I don't think any of this lot will do
- Why not?
- How about one from the next lot?
These are too old
You couldn't make one of them hatch
You'd be wasting your efforts
No point
Sorry...
Sorry to disappoint you
The file says you've spent time
in Hong Kong and Canada
What were you doing there?
I spent awhile in Canada
And then...
I was in Hong Kong and Mainland China
with my father
All told, two or three years
Mostly I was studying dance
Since your release...
have you met your husband?
Or...
Forgive me...
The file isn't clear on this point
Is he your boyfriend?
He's not my husband
We're not formally married
But we have a child
Fine
What about friends? Been
in touch with any friends?
Only with...
some of the people I met in prison
I have a small suggestion
It may be helpful to you
Based on my experience...
working on previous cases...
It's a good idea to
refresh your social circle
Those bad friends...
The ones who got you intro trouble
in the first place...
Better to avoid them, don't contact them
Don't forget you're under probation
for six more years
if there's the least problem...
not to mention anything more serious...
Something like drink-driving,
you'll go straight back into custody
Anyhow...
Keep up your self-respect
Your boy is still young,
he'll need plenty of looking-after
Just... try to be good
Make sure your six years
in prison weren't wasted
That's my sincere advice
Take it slow
Ma'am, I'll try to explain it to you
We've given your husband...
a thorough examination
The results suggest the
onset of Alzheimer's
We're prescribing a
course of Aricept for him
That will slow down the
progress of the disease
But it won't cure the disease
So his capacity to look after himself...
may decline slightly as time goes on
Beyond that, there might be changes
in his personality
His temperament could become unstable
There's also the possibility...
that he will experience difficulty...
in recognizing those around him
Even with the medicine...
his condition won't improve?
It will definitely help
It's our standard
prescription for this disease
But the way it works...
is to slow down the
progress of the disease
It's not a cure for the disease itself
That means that eventually...
he'll forget things from the past too?
Yes, that's possible
It's not unusual...
that patients become
more obviously forgetful
I see
Your girl is back?
That's right
Your little Ah Chuan...
must be happy? To have his mother back?
Why would he?
When she was sent to prison
he was just an infant
Ah Chuan was only two or three
He doesn't remember anything
She may be his mother,
but I'm the one who brought him up
As I see it, now she's back...
Well, she's the mother
That's all there is to it
You want me to meet Ah Chuan?
- Yes - Of course I want to
It's so long since I last saw you
I almost forget how you look
So you haven't had sex for six years?
You must be gagging for it, no?
Come, give me a kiss
Alright
Sit down
Go
Okay, you'd better go
Go
Leave!
Are you sick?
- That's right, I'm sick - Just leave
Falling for you made me sick
You made me sick
I myself think I'm pretty sick
Why...
Do you love me?
You think that's funny?
I did love you
Now I don't remember
You think it's funny? Darling...
It's really that funny?
Fucking hell! It doesn't matter
Just leave
I also think I'm a fucking failure
Why don't you love me, even a little bit?
Why did I have Ah Chuan?
- Why did you get me pregnant?
- Just leave!
Why did you get me pregnant?
I want to know!
Are you off your head?
Yes I fucking am!
I don't remember
Don't have regrets
Leave the past behind
What does matter, then?
What matters?
What do you actually care about?
- I've lost one pen - Which one?
It's light blue, seen it?
Can you even tell what color it is?
And you go accusing people of taking it!
Have you got it or not?
Of course not! Why would I take your pen?
It's here
If you keep scattering pens everywhere...
you'll fill the room with them!
It's because you're almost never here
Get on with your homework
Why don't you sleep with your ma?
I don't even know her, why should I?
What do you mean you don't know her?
- She's your ma!
- I told you, I don't know her!
She's still your ma
Then you should sleep with Gran!
I'm a man!
A grown man!
Your birthday is coming up soon
You know what?
An old friend is coming to see you
Who?
Someone you know well
You'll know when they arrive
Everyone's moved out
Uncle Guan left
My old commander left
We're the only ones still here
Right...
And they're telling us to go too
But you like it here, never mind
Your beloved wife will stay here with you
Back when your mother was still with us...
she was always telling you...
to take me out
To take me away...
on trips
Oh, and...
to take me to see shows
Dance performances, all kinds of things
You've always been great
Your mother used to say...
Wow, what a fine man you are
As leader of the Armed
Forces Entertainments Division...
you did so much to boost morale
You really did!
Your hands are so beautiful
This one's done, come on...
Give me the other one
I remember that time
when Ah Chuan first goes to school
He was being teased
You consoled him
Told him that being
colorblind doesn't matter
I think you were right
There are times when seeing too clearly...
is not such a good thing
You're a calm and steady person
But you have an adventurous
streak too, you know
You love the roar of the crowd
Horsewhip...
Arms out!
Hold out the whip and take a step
Same side as your arm
Horsewhip...
That's it
Move your hands too
There are tadpoles
How do you say that in Taiwanese?
Don't know
- "Tadpoles"
- "Tadpoles"
Tad poles
- Brother Dao - Brother Dao
You little fucker,
I told you to stop pulling these stunts
What do you think you're doing?
What do you mean?
The way I see it, the land's here
I put up my poster and call it mine
You think it's yours?
You bet, can't you see?
Want land? Call Ah Wen.
Satisfaction guaranteed!
Putting up a piece of paper makes it yours?
Sure, it's dead simple
Can't someone else do the exact same thing?
If anyone tries, I'll tear it down
You know whose land this is?
Whose?
It's Dragontail's... from the Coast Gang
Dragontail's?
That's cool
I like a nice challenge!
Stop fooling around
You can't even handle your women
Let alone your work!
You know your ma still
has a legal customs brokerage?
You do know that?
What line of business are you in now?
Hooking people up and live streaming
- Plus this turf business - All legal?
Borderline legal
Yeah, all talk and no beef
That's why he pisses people off
And now this turf nonsense
I don't want to go on relying on you lot
You don't want to rely on us?
Who else can you rely on?
- Myself!
- By causing your own trouble?
No way! You should stop fretting
So you make a mess and we have
to clean up after you?
No need to clean anything up,
I'll take care of any cleaning-up myself
My women can help with that
Same old, same old
Sure, and now my ex and my new girlfriend
are both here
Get real!
You are full already?
Your face is bright red
I gave you the money to buy new clothes
But I see you spent it all...
getting drunk, right?
It's strange! Aren't you just out of jail?
But you have all these
friends you have to see
And you can't help getting drunk with them!
Why did you start dinner without me?
You weren't here
Who knew when you'd be back?
Enough of that
Just get her some rice
She could have dad's bowl
Just do it
Can't you set a good
example in front of the kid?
Grandma
And what about Grandpa?
Grandpa
Excellent
You heard she called you 'Grandpa'?
I'm jealous
Uncle Zhang, nice to see you
Meishen, are you married yet?
Not yet, the dog keeps me happy for now
I don't want to marry early
- What is it with young people today?
- What can I say?
Having a pet is better than
raising their own kids?
Just ask Wenlin, she feels the same way
- That's right!
- That's what girls are like these days
But look at her kids, they're so adorable!
Don't you want more of them?
See...
You must say: Grandma,
I have a gift for you
- Can you do that?
- A gift for you
That's so nice! Thank you!
Say something, dear
It's so long since we
last saw Brother Zhang
You still recognize him?
They used to live next door
And now they've come back to see us
How is Brother Zhang's health?
Getting a bit worse
Right, so he's like this now
Still, living in a place
like this these days...
it seems quite inconvenient
And I've heard that...
the power supply isn't very stable
Anyhow, we moved out some years ago
And things are much better where we are now
Yes, I'm sure it's better where you are now
But he doesn't want to move
Maybe you should reconsider it
Yes, you might have second thoughts
Uncle Zhang... it's not
all that comfortable here
Moving out of here would
make things a bit better
What the hell?
This is my home!
I'm not moving!
Of course...
Protect the home, defend the country
If we don't protect out home,
how can we defend our country?
Don't worry...
- This turkey egg is for you
- It's a turkey egg?
Yes
You can study it for your summer homework
And write your report
- Take care to hatch it properly!
- But...
Didn't you say...
it will take much longer?
Yes, quite a bit longer
But my turkey didn't lay this egg
It's not from your turkey?
It's from my turkeys friend
You have friends, I have friends
And the turkey has friends too
So please take it for what it is
Don't be upset, it's all right
Now I can get on with the project
Yeah
But...
- But what?
- Weren't you supposed to use... a chicken egg?
And this is a turkey egg, will it be okay?
It's fine. After all, they're both eggs
Good point!
- And at least it's not a duck egg
- That's right!
Eggs from turkeys and chickens
are much the same, aren't they?
Pretty much
That's how you keep it alive?
It won't hatch for some time
I always thought...
a turkey egg would be bigger
But actually it's not
Just a bit bigger than a chicken egg
What about when you're asleep?
You bring it to bed?
No, it'll stay here
As it is? What if it doesn't hatch?
You'll fail the project
I'm not like you
Sure, whatever
I heard your ma say...
you'll be meeting your dad soon
Better not let Gran know
Yeah, I know
Like it?
IPad
Everyone has them now
Don't want it
Why not? Come on!
It's your dad's gift
It's okay, he doesn't have to like it
Come on! Ah Chuan...
Don't want it
Just let him be
Ah Chuan...
Pick what you want to eat
All the food here is fresh
The ones in yellow are out of season
They don't have them now
- They don't have it?
- That's right
But it doesn't seem like yellow to me
More like green
This section is red
And the ones at the bottom?
- Ah Chuan, what color is this?
- You tell me
This is yellow
You can't tell?
Red, green and yellow...
- You can't see the difference?
- I always get them mixed up
You can't tell the
difference between colors?
Fucking hell!
You didn't know the kid is colorblind?
How was I supposed to know in jail?
He was only three when I went in
What the fuck do you know?
She only just got out,
how was she supposed to know?
It's okay, Ah Chuan
I'm having lunch with my son
at the chicken restaurant
It's Luo again?
That damn snitch
Okay
Fix a time for it, I'll wait for him
Ah Chuan...
What's that you're looking at?
Who gave you that?
Didn't I tell you...
not to take things from
people you don't know?
You did, but it wasn't me who took it
I don't want it
Why not? It's from your father
I shouldn't take things from strangers
That's what Gran says
It's not from a stranger
It's from your father
I don't know him, he's
pretty much a stranger
Why did you take Ah Chuan to meet Ah Wen?
While you were in jail...
he never came to see Ah Chuan
Never gave the boy a thought
Why do you even see him?
Ah Wen...
He hid drugs in your bag
Put them in Ah Chuan's milk-powder can
So you got sent down for twelve years
And served six of them
Why do you still see those scummy people?
You just put yourself at risk again
What's the point of spending time...
with those low-life types?
Ma...
What's wrong with me?
Why am I so messed-up?
Tell me!
I was inside for six whole years
How many times did you come to visit me?
Ah Chuan is your grandson
But I'm not your daughter?
Really?
Have you ever cared about me?
Well, have you?
Look at father
To be frank, it all seems laughable to me
You're always telling him lies
And look what he's turned into!
What was the point?
Did it make you happy?
Are you happy?
You dropped your knickers and got pregnant
So you're happy! Am I happy?
Now you talk to me like this...
Does that make you happy?
How can you talk to me like this...
Daughter...
Your homework isn't done
yet, go and finish it
Go on
Teacher...
My girl has always been stubborn,
since she was small
I'll make sure she does her homework
Don't be angry
Daughter...
Let's take a photo with your teacher
Come on
Teacher, shall we take a photo together?
Sit there... that's good, right there
Come on, daughter...
Come here
Have a photo with your teacher
A bit closer
Looks good
This way
A little closer
I'll count to three
Ready?
One, two, three
Dragontail, this is how it is...
Ah Wen can tell you
himself, see what you think
I've done my bit by calling this meeting
How you resolve the conflict is up to you
If Ah Wen behaves like this...
and Dragontail doesn't accept it,
it is our problem
Brother Dao... what is there to discuss?
What is there to say?
Right
What is there to discuss?
For example... what do
you think about the land?
I've already flagged it as my turf
I'm very sorry... today we're...
He marched in and claimed my land!
- Dragontail, I know...
- I can't just ignore what he did!
Let's try to stay calm
I know you've come here today...
in the hope that we can all be friends
From here on in, all of us...
including Brother Dao, should be friends
I ain't here to be friends with you
Today, Brother Dao...
I came here just because I respect him
What does this jerk have to say to me?
He's just out for himself
Why would he deserve a share?
His claim has no merit
Brother Dao, I'm going
to take one step back
Since I've come to this meeting...
don't ever say I'm
bullying this piece of shit
I could send him two crates
of tomatoes as a gift, okay?
You know how to eat tomatoes?
Ah Wen, listen when someone talks to you!
We're here to solve a problem...
and you're on about tomatoes?
You have nothing better to contribute?
Okay...
The reason we're here
is to talk this through
Your uncle is working to find a solution...
and you're just fooling around?
Dragontail, it seems there's no way
to resolve this?
Brother Dao, you can see his attitude
So there's no more to say
Brother Dao
I wouldn't be here if you hadn't asked me
Apparently I've wasted my time
My dear, come downstairs
Your friend will be here soon
I brought you a gift
You once said that your favorite dish...
is meat hotpot with pickled cabbage
Right, meat and pickled cabbage
My ma says she knows you like this hotpot
She's treasured it for years
It's pure copper
Whenever you use it...
it'll remind you of me
It's a fine thing, looks good
Ah Chuan...
What do you think?
One more dish is coming
I'm back!
- Xiao Meng is back - Why is she so noisy?
So much fuss about getting home!
What's wrong with her?
Ah Chuan...
Tell your ma to join us
I don't want to
Go on!
She's been returning the iPad to my dad
Just tell her to come down
It's Grandpa's birthday
Okay
Tell her to come down for dinner
Come down and eat!
It's your father's birthday!
Don't keep him waiting! She's so rude
My birthday?
That's right
See? Birthday noodles
I even brought you a cake
You've come, Cheng'en!
Xiao Meng
Ah Chuan, where's Yuchang?
He's at school
He called to say he'd be late
Unlike you
Daughter, this is delicious
Come...
Have some birthday noodles
May life and luck be long
I brought you a cake too
Right...
We don't need the hotpot right now
- So I'll...
- I'll move it out of the way
- That's better - I suppose so
If it's not in the way
All of you, eat up
Disgusting...
The way she treats dad has changed so much
They weren't that close before
Still, you are a family
I've always thought of
your ma as a kind person
We're all kind people
That's right
Ah Chuan is the best
Always looking out for his grandpa
You used to argue with Gran all the time
I had to be your go-between
Back then you looked out for me
Now I look out for you
Ah Chuan is great
Have a chicken thigh
I couldn't find any photo of you back
in our army days
Never mind, it's all in the past
Brother Xiong...
I came back this time to take care of my ma
She's not well
She needs me
This was Uncle Guan's place
They've all moved out
I'm always wondering...
Does she need me?
Or am I the one who needs her?
This was my commander's place
We once ate here
Brother Xiong...
Happy birthday!
Don't cry
It's too long since I watched you perform
When you go there tomorrow...
Xiao Meng will be with you
She'll take care of you
Anyhow...
Get back earlier
The best would be...
if you get back in time for dinner
Get back early
I'll cook and lay the table
We'll eat together
Take care on the trip
I'll remind your daughter...
to keep a good eye out for you
Ah Chuan, here
Grandma asks you...
to look after your grandpa
I will
Repeat after me...
Look after Grandpa
Good boy
Ah Chuan is the best!
Cheng'en
- This way?
- That's right
I haven't been home for
ages, the place is a mess
I remember this place
Cheng'en...
Cheng'en...
Xiao Meng, my ma's awake
Why don't you just sit for a moment?
Cheng'en...
My son...
Why do you do this to yourself?
I am Cheng'en!
Keep still
I don't know... What's your name?
I don't know...
Cheng'en
Help me!
Stop it!
Stay still
Look at you, your face!
Why are there feces everywhere?
Stop it, don't touch me!
I'm very clean
It's even on your face!
Who's hidden my Cheng'en?
Don't touch my head!
My sacred head...
I want Cheng'en, my head is fine
I want to go home
Stay still
My son gave me this
I want my Cheng'en
Why are you so unkind to me?
Cheng'en is here
My son is very nice, very kind
Very gentle
Cheng'en!
Cheng'en is right here, stop shouting
Cheng'en!
I want my son
- Your son is right here - I don't want you
You're not...
I want to get up and go home
Mama's hungry
I should get up and cook food
- Don't touch it - I want to pee
Let's change your diaper first
Doctor says I'm pregnant
What the hell?
Stop it, what are you doing?
Ask Cheng'en to come
Cheng'en!
Stop crying
Cheng'en is here
You're not...
I don't want you here
Stop this nonsense, you're not Cheng'en
- Cheng'en!
- Cheng'en is right here
Help!
- Cheng'en!
- Stop shouting
Nobody wants to hurt you
I don't want it any more
What are you doing?
I need to wear it properly
That won't do, I'm a lady
Okay, the lady needs to wear her pants
- Stop it - The lady
needs to wear her pants!
Don't bully me, stop that!
Would you like to see my ma for a moment?
Sure
Ma, your friends are here to see you
Cheng'en!
You're...
Aren't you the one who hid my Cheng'en?
Cheng'en
Ma, he's hiding in plain sight
Cheng'en is here
Weren't you in the same troupe as my dad?
When did you two...
meet for the first time?
Back then
My ma and your dad were
often together on stage
Lots of people saw them as an ideal couple
Back then, my ma was...
very beautiful
Really very beautiful
Lots of men were chasing her
But she only had eyes for your dad
When he saw me perform on stage, though...
he came backstage...
to tell me he liked me
After that, we were together
And I became his aide-de-camp
Helped him, took care of him
But finally he chose
family life and all of you
My ma left the opera troupe
I felt very down
So she arranged for me to get away
to perform in Beijing
Find the music for "The Battle of Mt.
Ding jun"
- He hasn't sent it yet - I still need it
- Have you told him?
- Okay
Mt. Ding jun...
Another thing...
Ask Ziqiang to be the Props Master
Okay, ask Ziqiang
Let's get there early
tomorrow to check the music
Sure thing
- I'll call ahead - You go ahead
I need to be back first
thing in the morning
I have to watch the turkey egg
NO!
Ah Chuan... over here
Call your Grandma
Do it yourself
Do it as a favor to Grandpa
Is that Ah Chuan?
Do you know what time it is?
Put your ma on the phone
Why aren't you back yet?
What are you doing there?
Are you coming back?
Okay...
Stay there if you want to
On the first drumbeat, prepare food and eat
On the second drumbeat, don your armor
On the third drumbeat, draw your sword
On the fourth drumbeat, march into battle
Charge with valor and reap the reward
Desert your place and reap the punishment
The three armies and their commander,
return to camp!
It's fine as it is
I'll tighten it a little
Is that too tight?
Gran! I'm home!
You came back by yourself?
Yes, I took the train
Why did they let you take the train alone?
Gran...
I'm really hungry
I didn't get any breakfast
No-one made breakfast for you?
Turkey egg, how are you doing?
I have to go grocery
shopping, I can't do it now
Wait for me!
- Ah Chuan...
- Yes?
I have a question for you
What is it?
I need to ask you...
Answer me honestly, no lies!
When you were away last night...
Who did you sleep with?
Mama
And Grandpa? Who did he sleep with?
Grandpa...
He slept with Uncle Cheng'en
With Uncle Cheng'en?
Fine!
Fine!
What's wrong?
Wait for me, Gran
Why?
Why?
I slaved away for thirty years...
for nothing!
Isn't he just an old veteran?
Earning next to nothing?
I made sure all the men of the house...
got chicken thigh to eat
I'm stuck alone at home...
making do with an egg!
But never mind!
I didn't care! I was
willing to put up with it!
The kids would come home and ask...
why I had nothing but an egg to eat
I told them it didn't matter
My husband was the one who mattered
Their father was the one who mattered
Zhang Junxiong, you have no conscience!
Absolutely no conscience!
You think you're so great
if your mother hadn't begged me...
to give you a son...
why would I have
tormented myself like that?
And your daughter is just like you!
She doesn't care about me
Doesn't even look at me!
Won't sleep with his wife,
but does sleep with a man!
He's the only one he cares about
Like father, like daughter...
they both ran off with other men
What's the point of it all?
I've wasted thirty years of my life!
For what?
Ah Feng, what happened to you?
What's wrong?
What happened to you?
Is there something wrong with me?
Did someone say something?
Everyone is staring at you, don't you see?
No, they're all quiet,
no-one is saying anything
What have I done? Nothing!
See for yourself
They all know me, they
know I'm the Colonel's wife
Stop tugging at me!
I can't bear to see you like this
- Okay?
- What do you mean by saying that?
I'm perfectly fine
I sacrificed my own happiness willingly
I put up with it all
I married him, I gave birth to the son
Women always carry the burden, men don't
Just stop it, will you?
You'll break the trolley
Then I'll buy a new one
Just go home
I'm here to buy groceries,
why tell me to go home?
Don't look at me like that
What are you staring at?
You think I'm crazy?
I'm not crazy
These people all know me, I'm not crazy
Don't be ridiculous
Why would I be crazy?
If you're not crazy, then tell me...
I work myself to death,
like a beast of burden...
I take care of the old and the young...
I do so well looking after them all...
that nobody cares a jot for me!
What was it all for?
They toss me aside, abandon me!
What's so great about sleeping with a man?
I don't get it
Am I so repulsive?
Even if I'm repulsive,
he lasted thirty years with me
Don't keep saying that
Is it embarrassing?
,
stop behaving like that
You're acting as if I'm a madwoman
Ah Chuan...
I'm going home to cook
Quick, you go home first
I'll bring your grandma
I'll get her home
She's not herself today
Ah Feng! Where are you going?
Baby chicken... Come on out!
You're actually a baby turkey...
But that's close enough to a chicken
Get a move on!
I'm home
What's wrong?
Ah Chuan...
What's the matter with your Gran?
Gran's gone mad
What happened?
Here you are
I can take pictures with this?
I have another question
There were lots of tadpoles here before
So why are there so few now?
Growing up means leaving home
When its legs are grown,
it can leave by itself
It turns into a frog and hops away
Oh, right...
This is how it opens
Grandpa... There's no film in it!
You don't need any
How do you mean? This is useless
How can it take pictures without film?
What you see through the viewfinder...
will stay in your mind
You'll remember it
Then I might as well just look
I'll remember that way too
You like tomatoes?
You like 'em?
I'm telling you
All my life, my favorite thing has been...
tomatoes
So you gotta like them too
You know why?
Because you're my son
Aside from tomatoes, what else do you like?
- Lots of things - Lots of things?
Such as?
I dunno... there are too many
Is it your car?
Of course it is! Who else's?
You like cars?
Yeah?
Things haven't gone so well for me lately
But I have a dream
I'll build a big tomato farm
Make a fortune!
Then I'll buy a great car
And take you on trips around the world!
That's your old man's dream
I can't go. I've still got holiday homework
I have to hatch my egg
Hatch your egg? That's your homework?
Yes, it might die, and not hatch
That's so cool!
I'm great at hatching eggs
I hatched so many chickens when I was a kid
Don't worry
Just keep the temperature steady,
then it'll be fine
But my egg is a turkey, not just a chicken
They're more or less the same
No big difference
Must be, right?
It'll be fine, just the same as a chicken
Satisfaction guaranteed?
Who's this "Ah Wen"?
It's that guy?
That little...
Should I call Rat to let him know about it?
Sure
Haven't we already got this sorted?
Why's he still doing it?
Okay
It's the same Ah Wen?
Let me tell you... that issue about turf
The trouble you caused...
If you want to claim
some turf for yourself...
ask around about it first
And check with us
Fill it up!
Great!
- Are you retarded?
- What's this asshole doing here?
Did you say "asshole"?
- Who's an asshole?
- Cool it, we're on the same side
Why are you picking a fight with him?
He's a fucking asshole
Doesn't deserve a place at the table
I asked, who are you calling "asshole"?
I put up a few signs...
He goes to his boss...
And then he goes to
Brother Dao to rat on me
Doesn't that make him an asshole?
Stop this bullshit, both of you!
- Let's talk this through
- Say it again and see what happens!
He's a real asshole
- Leave it, Xiao Luo...
- Think about it!
We're doing this for your ma's sake
Not for you!
You're just a joke
Step outside and have a smoke
I'll talk to him
Aren't you a real piece of shit?
Enough, just step outside
Mummy's boy!
Ah Wen, did you hear me?
Before you do it again,
come to us to discuss it
Don't behave this way,
you're not a one-man-band
Brother Wen, come on...
Xiao Luo has always been good to us
- And he has a point - What's with you?
You're on his side?
No, that's not it
Sugarcane is saying it for your own good
- Why are you stirring this up?
- Just say that again!
- Go on!
- Calm down
Xiao Luo, he's generally been good to us...
- You motherfucker!
- Brother Wen...
Ah Wen, what's got into you?
Brother Wen...
Brother Wen!
What are you doing?
How does that feel?
- Cold - Still cold?
Turning it off...
Okay, I'm turning it off
Is this warmer?
I use my cymbals to drum up customers...
as I range from Quanzhou to Chaozhou,
polishing mirrors
Since the daughter
of the Huang family is a beauty...
I'm set on paying that household a visit
Better? Is it warm?
It should be okay
I've checked the temperature
This should be just right
Lift your arm
The reception here is terrible
When are you going to...
I miss my son
Otherwise I wouldn't call you
Is that all?
Give it to him yourself
Ma... Ah Wen is here
Why has he come?
I'm here to see my son
Ah Chuan...
Sorry for the intrusion
- Ah Chuan - Your dad's here to see you
Ah Chuan...
I brought you a gift
He's come from Taipei to see you
We're very busy
Excuse me, please leave
This space is too small
Ma... can't the man have a quick word
with his son?
You came here just to argue with me?
We're cramped and busy here
Please wait outside
- He just got in here...
- I just want to give him his gift
Allow me just a second
Ah Chuan...
I brought this for you... will you take it?
Come on...
- Ah Chuan...
- Just take it
- Okay, now please go - Ah Chuan...
Just go
Show them out, will you?
Plenty of chairs out there
You can just sit there
The show will start soon
We're already too cramped
If you take up more space...
we can't get ready.
We'll be starting soon
Just leave
Careful...
I don't need to
He wouldn't have been born otherwise
Take a photo of me
- What's wrong with you?
- What's wrong?
Would it hurt to let Ah
Chuan talk to his dad?
Nothing to do with me!
Just give us our space
Ah Chuan... come
Don't wander off
It could be dangerous
Keep your friend company
Why does your ma always
shoot her mouth off?
Because of you!
I am General Cheng Yaojin
Reinforcements General Xue Dingshan
We march our troops to the Hantan Gate
He is young and brave, but lacks experience
I, General Cheng, will give him counsel
Motherfucker! You want to be boss?
I'll see about that!
Fuck!
She has to eat even if she doesn't want to
How else can she survive?
She just won't come downstairs
Come down to eat
You gotta eat
I have a question
That day...
When you took a picture
of me with my dad...
It doesn't exist, right?
What the hell is wrong with you?
Do you even know what you're doing?
Do you have any idea how long I've
been looking for you?
I really don't know what you're thinking
You had it all
A family, a house, children...
Then you threw it all away and vanished!
It's because I had it all...
that I longed for freedom
Didn't we see that Truffaut movie together?
'The 400 Blows'? That's
the kind of freedom I want
Freedom?
What right do you have
to talk about freedom?
How old are you?
How can you be so irresponsible?
Shouldn't you put your family first?
Freedom my ass! I see what it is
You watched too many
movies, wrecked your brain!
Just look at you, you look so ridiculous
Going around with that chicken
Behaving like a beggar
Don't care where you go, where you sleep
You don't want 'face', but I do
Do you ever think about
me and the children?
You know how tough it's been for us?
All the gossip? Have you
ever thought about that?
Have you gone mad?
If you keep shouting like that...
people may think
you're the one who's mad
Each of us has their own life
Can't we just respect each other?
You're still young and pretty
Why bother being with
someone as lousy as me?
For the sake of your own future, I think...
we should settle for
respecting each other
So go on your way
Where are you going?
Won't you come home with me?
Let's go home together
I've been looking for you for so long
Don't go, come back with me
Come home with me
Listen to me!
If you go now...
don't bother ever coming back
I'll tell your son he has no father!
And I'll have no husband!
You go, and don't ever come back!
Mr Turkey...
Don't ever come back!
Mr Turkey...
Wait for me
- Okay - On board?
I'll help you
You want all this stuff
spread in the sunlight?
You got lots of things here
There's even a book about selling tofu
Are you going to sell tofu?
Back there, that lady...
Is she related to you?
All that cursing you, in such a loud voice
Ah Chuan, you see that wooden horse?
It wasn't always there
It was floating in the
sea before, just drifting
Then I guess...
Someone brought it ashore
But no-one asked questions and no-one cares
Does it really matter where it came from?
Where?
Liar, it's not hatching!
It did move a bit
- I didn't see - Excuse me...
- Anybody home?
- It's not moving at all!
Ah Chuan! Yuchang!
Come downstairs!
Isn't this where you live?
Quick!
Your dad wants to run off
Watch out
He won't come inside
My dear...
Come home... where have you been?
The officer has brought you back
This is not my home!
- This is your home - Not my home!
Not my home!
Calm down...
Your clothes are all wet
- Dad...
- Look, look...
This is your house, isn't it?
Quick! Stand in front of your grandpa
- Dad...
- See who it is?
Recognize him?
It's Ah Chuan!
Ah Chuan! Greet him
Grandpa...
This is not my home!
It is your home, and this is your grandson
This is your son
And I'm your wife
- Yes...
- This is not my home!
Please make sure this doesn't happen again
Salute!
I am..
I am Zhang...
Zhang Jun...
Damn, I forget
I wasn't dancing
The troupe was...
just rehearsing
I've been...
supervising the rehearsal
in the assembly hall
Yes, Sir!
There'll be no problems
when the commander arrives
Dad...
Ma...
Ma...
I wasn't dancing
I really didn't go dancing
I promised you
I promised you I wouldn't dance
I really didn't dance
I'm going to bed now
Don't hit me!
Don't hit me!
Don't hit...
Don't hit yourself!
That same letter again?
Time to read it again?
Fine, read it slowly
From your mother
My son Junxiong...
When this letter reaches you...
I will be at rest with your father
Throughout my life...
I have always strived to be prepared
As they say...
Life is unpredictable
Now that my life is drawing to a close...
I cannot be sure how
much longer I will last
I might not even be able to speak
Or able to move a finger
In that case, I wouldn't be able...
to pass on my last thoughts
You are my son
I've pondered this many times...
and now I'm writing
this testament for you
Your mother loves you
You were always an obedient child
I know you love to dance
But I worry that it
wouldn't earn you a living
You did as your mother wanted...
and I was most grateful
Your wife Wang Feng...
Wang Feng is Gran's name?
Yes
She's a good-hearted country girl
I know that you don't like her
But you met my wishes by marrying her
I know she will give you lifelong care
She's a fine woman
I hope you can be a couple
like me and your father
A loving couple, admired by all
I have little to bequeath to you
Your wife is a frugal
woman, a careful housekeeper
She has sacrificed herself for this family
Always treat her well
Give both children a good education
So that when they grow to adulthood...
they will be useful to society
Then their grandparents in the afterlife...
can joyfully accept your offerings
And be satisfied in the next world
That's the most important thing I wanted
to tell you
My hope is that my son
has a comfortable path in life
Your mother, Huiting
It really is!
The shell cracked!
- Are you sure you didn't crack it?
- I didn't
- I didn't even touch it
- It cracked by itself?
Is it going to hatch?
I think so
Really?
And when it does...
I won't fail my project like you did!
- Give me a break!
- Why is it cracking?
Did you crack it?
You've been here all along
Did I even touch it?
Ah Chuan!
It's moving
- It's still alive - What's that?
- It's feathery!
- Somethings coming out!
Wow, the chick is out
It's actually hatched!
- I won't fail my project - It's so ugly
- An ugly duckling - It looks weird
Why are its feet so big?
Because it's a turkey?
Baby Turkey...
Hope you soon grow up too
I'll take you all around the world
Time goes by so fast
Grandpa started to...
wear diapers
He...
remembers less about us now
Mama...
She's stopped talking...
about dad
Make sure I look good in the picture
You're not in it!
Ma...
This hotpot is meant for
pickled cabbage, isn't it?
But you're using it to cook...
Err, is it dried spoon cabbage?
- Yes - Can you eat this?
- Of course you can!
- The spoon cabbage...
was sun-dried by Grandma and me
But it's all black! It looks horrible
Just try it
This is what you were drying on the roof?
- The spoon cabbage?
- Yes
My dear...
We're not having...
pickled cabbage hotpot today
This is home-made sun-dried spoon cabbage
It's not bad at all
Right?
Try it and see
Ma...
Are we really going to move?
Yes
Look what state your father is in
He can't remember a thing now
If he's willing to move, we'll move
I've asked the head of our troupe...
to find us a place
Somewhere we can stay for a while
But...
- Ah Chuan...
- What about my turkey?
Your turkey?
Bring it in its box, silly boy...
Then...
What about the tadpoles on the roof?
The tadpoles...
They'll become frogs
They can hop and find
their own way to join us
Right?
Ma, you should let Dad help himself
He can manage
Pm just giving him a hand
Add some sauce
This meat goes well with it
- Improves the taste - Ah Chuan...
You don't need to worry...
about your turkey
Worry about the tadpoles
When they turn into frogs...
your turkey will eat them all!
I'm not lying to you, it really will
You'll have to train the turkey...
to live on rice, so
that it won't eat them
- Or we can just keep them apart - I'm full
Yes...
- Are you done?
- I'm full
- Already?
- Let him go
Then your turkey...
and the frogs...
You can separate them apart
Ah Chuan, will you finish the cabbage?
I just had some
Where did we get this hotpot from?
Who's that now?
Gran...
This hotpot...
came from Uncle Cheng'en, didn't it?
- I know
Hello?
Understood
Add the last ingredients from the table
- Careful, it's hot, don't toy with it
- Okay
Behave yourself at the table
Dear...
That was...
Cheng'en on the phone, calling to say...
his mother just passed away
Ma, there's not enough cabbage
It won't be enough
You can finish what's there
We have more in the
kitchen, don't be impatient
- We have more?
- Yes
Come...
Dad is taking pictures
Grandpa, take one of me!
- Just me!
- Just you?
- Yes - Go on, strike a pose!
Very handsome!
A very handsome boy!
Watch your step...
Be careful
Have you had enough to eat, Dad?
Let him take pictures
Wait
Yuchang...
Put the cabbage in the hotpot
This?
- The cabbage is the key thing - Ma...
I don't think...
there's enough cabbage
Yuchang, pass the soy sauce
We've finished the cabbage
But we haven't touched the rice yet
I have!
We just put some in...
We finally did move out
Teacher said
My homework project was really good
The turkey is three month old
It's now...
my best friend