The Aroma City (2011) - full transcript

No hatred

No jealousy

No depravity

No evil

Long, long ago

among the Hengduan Mountains

there existed a place
called the Aroma City

People there communicated by singing

and passed message with aromas

Many, many years later

some variegated clouds



sailed to the distant lands
that were desolate and bleak

To the hard and jagged rocks

the earth woke gradually

The sky was engulfed by wild flames

When the Aroma City
was almost annihilated

the King and the Queen
put the princess in an ark

which would be drifting down the river

May our god protect our princess
from this calamity

Are you Mr. Jiang?

Yes

I'm Chen Songhua

I've gone over the plan

Some questions on behalf of
the directorate

Why do you choose us?



I've sent inquiries to several
hundred persons

but only you replied

This project is not profitable at all

You wouldn't have come
if you wanted money

Does the Aroma City exist?

Without proofs

neither you nor I can give
a definite answer

But I'm sure you'd like to do it

Up to now no one would
finance your plan

Not profitable

with no supporting facts either

Why do you believe that I will?

Because you are wiser

You're wrong.
I'm not better than others

If only you can show me a reason

One year ago

I was a only cocky crude fop

Son of a rich man

As an indifferent singer I indulged
myself in singing aimlessly

My father was rich but
I didn't like at all

I was adored and surrounded
by girls all the time

Your mobile phone is off again.
It's time to get up

There'll be a performance after
the annual meeting at the bar

Remember the arrangements?

Madam Liu is very unsatisfied
with your work

She said you indulged in singing
and led a dissipated life

And you're thoughtless

Don't be so impudent

It's unbearable

Don't turn a deaf ear to me

Pay your compliments to Madam Liu

Say some pleasing words

Barbie

How could you get in?

Young master, actually I helped you in

I hope nothing happened

What do you think?

Nothing happened

Anyway

I took neither a picture
nor a sound-recording

What kind of figure are you?

A great star!

But I'm only a small potato

one of your fans

I'm not good enough for you

Don't worry

I'll never be an obstacle on your way

Barbie

I...

I didn't mean that

I don't care what you mean

I hope you can remember me

That's all

Young master

Young master

Young master

The fund for your new album
is transferred to Zhang Min

Please give me another chance

I'll make my new album more satisfying

Please

I don't care

He's been coveting this chance
for long

But he is only a rookie at sea

Isn't he in this circle for years?

Yet he has no fame

He is somewhat wealthy owing to
his father's nasty business

If it were not for his
father's donation

he would've been driven away

What's his father's business?

Nothing but crimes

enough for dozens of death penalties

Why are you so late?

The audience is restless for
the long wait

Had your dinner? Want some water?

Hurry up

Hello

Hello

Hello. Ladies and gentlemen

Thanks for your waiting

Let's welcome our famous singer
Jiang Shaojun with applause

You...

What's the matter?

What are they doing?

Nothing

Go on

Switch it on

It's my private property.
Keep your hands away

It's silly

Tell me

Where's your father?

You should get help from the police
to find him

Then you're useless

I have always been useless
to my father

The son feels sick of his father?

What about the father's
feelings of the son?

You said you were useless
to your father

Really?

Nonsense

You are endangered

Will he just stand by?

Why not try it?

What I'm looking for is your father

I'd rather find your father
at the cost of your life

Alright, calm down.
I'll show you the way

You go with him

It may be a trap

Yes, probably

That's why you must go with him

Where to go?

Go ahead

We've tramped a whole day long!

Are you playing tricks on us?

Stop!

Catch him

Stay there

Stop

Stop

Stop

Stop

Am I dead?

Who are you?

I'm not dead, am I?

What's wrong with my leg?

What's this place?

Where am I?

I need to go to hospital

Why don't you speak?

Speak!

Why not speak?

Anyone here?

Nothing but crimes

What I'm looking for is your father

Actually I helped you in

I'd rather find your father
at the cost of your life

I'll never be an obstacle on your way

Tell me. Where's your father?

Let me go

Anyone here?

Hey

What's the matter?

Are you wounded?

Where are you going?

What should I do next?

Are you really unable to speak?

Are you alone here?

Where's the priest?

Do you have a name?

Sue Lifang

What an aroma from your body!

Are you all right?

I meant no disrespect to you

I'm sorry

Is the aroma from your body?

Where are you going?

Want to know my name?

I'm Jiang Shaojun

Is my name that funny?

Where do I come from?

Forget it. I don't want to say

You'd better not know it

The whole city has fallen asleep

save the light in the theater's
box going on

I'm singing, and you are listening

and this makes me joy and happy

You are sitting with others

when the world stops

and become crazy

Now you belong to me

and I will have you listen to me
singing

Wait

Sue Lifang

Fly

Diary

Is this the priest's diary?

May I read it?

You want me to read it for you?

January 8th, 1988

Cloudy

Slightly windy

I walked alone by the lake

Aroma comes from all over your body

You have beautiful red eyes
and charming ears

I am getting old, having
few days to go

So I must keep the secret
about your antecedents

I have showed you how to gather
and apply medical herbs

I have taught you playing the piano
and singing

I have taught you writing and reading

But all these are granted
to you by God

You must ignore people's gossips

and keep away from their eyesight

You need to hide your aroma with
a cloak and gloves

in order to keep your secret
from strangers

This book came with your birth

Now I should return it to you

I tried to grasp the essence
of the book all my life

to tell you about your origins

But I...

I failed

My dear child, to retire from
the world, you must stay here

until someone able to understand
the book comes

Love lasts forever

God's blessing

Survive this calamity

You can sing?

Is it true that you can't speak?

Now sing a song

You can, according to the diary

Would you sing for me?

Come on!

Sing aloud

You are not a dumb

You can speak, and sing as well.
Now sing a song!

I wonder at the priest's motivation

He went all out to keep your secret
all his lifetime

Do you want to speak like others?

I can help you

Believe me

I assure you

If you have read this book

keep this secret please

Grasp the essence of the book

then tell her about her parentage

The priest noted this in the diary

Follow me

Sue

Twenty-one kinds of symbols,
three 8-note ranges

Sue

Sue

Sue

Were you playing the piano just now?

Follow me

They're musical notes

They're really musical notes

Thank heaven!

You have finally begun to sing

You're able to sing now

Sue

Have you ever been out of
this snow mountain?

You want to have a look outside?

Sue

Let's leave in a couple of days

We can go to a distant place

Let's leave here

I'll take you to the bar

That's where I used to work
as a singer

We can go to the amusement park

We can go to a cinema

We can go to a bookstore

We can also go to the seaside

Hello

Mr. Ou

Who is it?

It's me

Tell me your name

Jiang Shaojun

When can you clear your debt with me?

How can you borrow more?

Don't call me again!

Are you crazy?

Mr. Ou

I know I was rude to you

But now I really need your help

Lend me some money

I'll leave here in a few days

Whether you can help me

I will say thank you

Write down my address...

Jiang Shaojun

Jiang Shaojun

Work harder

When we are out of here

they'll find you a dumb

and they might despise you

Jiang Shaojun

Jiang Shaojun

I love you

I love you

Jiang Shaojun

I love you

Over there! Go!

Jiang Shaojun

I love you

Don't ask why

Do what I say

Come on!

Here is my address

When you find I can't get back here

go and find me there

Sue

It's dangerous here

I've been given away by a traitor

They've come to catch me

You shouldn't get involved

Leave through the backdoor
and run to the hill

The farther, the better

Get going!

Sue

Calm down

Listen to me

Sue, Sue!

Sue, trust me, Sue!

I promise to go and find you

I'll shoot if you refuse
to open the door

Go to the forest and await me there

I assure you I'll be there

Sue! Sue!

I'll shoot

Sue

You listen

I assure you I'll be back

Jiang Shaojun

I liked fishing when I was a kid

But I couldn't afford the hooks

So I had to make hooks
with the needles

These hooks turned out to be

more efficient than the ones that
the neighboring kids bought

All people are like fish

Easy to be cheated

The success depends on
the sort of hook

I want to chat and go fishing
with your father

You father likes fishing too

But he refused to grant my wish

Have you found him?

I've found you

You are a victim of your father

and he himself is a victim, too

You take me as hostage to threaten him

I'm not threatening him

But he was too proud to
face the reality

How has he offended you?

You want to know?

He has stolen an important thing
from me

How important?

More important than my life

What is it?

Legal evidence

What legal evidence?

Of money laundering

How could I know anything about
his business?

Nothing, of course

You're a spoiled child,
young master of Jiang

You just spend money

without caring where they are from

Why does he conceal the evidence?

He wants to disguise as a good man

Good man

I want to be a good man, too

But with the evidence existing

I'll never be a good man

or your father

Now he keeps silent,
and appears to be a good man

while I have to be a villain forever

Is it fair?

If I tell you

that I have some clues to the evidence

You must cooperate with me

If so

will you stop harassing
my father and me?

You

attend the young master carefully

Satisfy all his demands

Sue, I'm leaving

I can hardly come back

I've taken your book away with me

I hope if I die

there won't be a third person
who knows your secret

Don't try to find me

Forget me

Young master

Don't be noisy

Mr. Sun has arranged this for you

Not very comfortable

You have to make do for now

We'll look after you day and night

Don't play any tricks

Just have a good rest

and think about what Mr. Sun
has told you

We are in the next door

When you want to have a meal,
to go out

or whatever, just shout

You'll see our good service

It's useless to look around

This flat was carefully chosen

You have no way to escape

Hello

I need to speak to him

It's Mr. Sun

Young master, what do you think?

Is this flat all right?

Release me from here

I'm caged here

How can I find any clues?

By the way

I need to meet you

Don't hurry

It's time to rest and relax yourself

Let them take you to
a bar this evening

Relaxation is good to work

Give him the phone

Hello

Take him to a bar this evening

Which bar?

Whichever he likes

Make him drunk

See if any clues come up

OK

What out!

Young master

Where have you been these days?

There

Who allowed you to talk to him?

Bye-bye

Leaving?

I'm often here

Mr. Ou

Ah!

You were destitute and wretched

Who helped you out of cold and hunger?

Who gave you the job?

Why do you betray me?

Look at you now!

A flunky

I hate to see you again

Young master

Be quick!

Miss...

Mr. Sun, he wants to go home

That's fine

Follow him

Yes, sir

See if anything comes out

Just stay here

We'll take you home soon

Miss

What perfume are you wearing?

Are you looking for somebody?

I know this place

Get ready

Shaojun

Just stay here

We'll take you to our company after
fetching the goods

Let's make a search again, okay?

Don't leave the truck

Want this?

It's not for sale

Where is she?

Let's go

Go away

Don't stand here

Go. Go

Shaojun, this might be
the last time I phone you

Now I have some words for you

Sun Li will murder me to make
my mouth shut forever

for I have known too much

I've hidden the evidence of
our money laundering

I won't tell him where it is

So they will surely take you
as hostage to threaten me

If you are still free

go to a distant place,
and never return

If you are not free,
this evidence will be your amulet

Now, you'll be the only one
in the world

who knows about the evidence
besides me

I'm sorry not to tell you directly

Call Mr. Sun

This recording may fall
in the hands of others

Remember the following words

It's village nesting
against a mountain

where people live on
the top of their houses

Long ago there was a river running by

The chief's mansion stands
on the top of the mountain

In the donation box in the mansion

I hid an iron box

But you need a key to open it

Go to the bar

Someone there will give you

Be sure to remember

when you are free

come back and fetch it,
then give it to the police

If you are not free yet

you have to drag on
and seek chance yourself

Mr. Ou.
Come with me

Get away

You...

Open the door

Open the door. Stop fighting

Too violent

They have bugged your room

They've searched the bar for the key

Keep it safely

They've already killed your father

Open the door

Open the door

Jiang Shaojun

Your father is a good man

Open the door

I know you don't think so

It's true that no father
is perfect in the world

But your father had done his best

He asked me to take on
his unfinished affairs

Open the door

Your father told me to look after you

So I have to be with them at all risks

being shamed as a slave

Behave as usual

for your father

not for you

Look at me

Revenge your father

Five yuan

RMB, five yuan

Money, five yuan

This way

Go. This way

Get out of the door. Good

Do you know her?

No, I don't

Who is she?

Maybe a fan

Who knows?

Make her leave

Get away!

I don't want to see you again

Get away

Leave here

Bye-bye

Get away!

Get away!

Back to the church

Get away!

Get out of my sight

Do you know this girl?

I don't know

What an aroma from her body!

Alright

Have a good rest

Wait

I know her

It's said so

This girl is one of your music fans

She came to meet you this morning

She kissed you warmly when you met

No one could stop her

Doesn't it often happen to you
singing stars?

But few of them are charming, right?

Come on!

What a sham gentleman you are!

You can live together

Let me arrange it

However

you must help me get the evidence

I've neither interfered
with your private life

or your dating

Not to mention your love affair

But I must get the evidence

You must give it to me

Here is what you want

Nothing else

This is the only thing my father
has left to me

Go and find it

Sue, I'm sorry

Mr. Sun. do you really
allow her to stay here?

Let her stay

Jiang has to be more obedient
to us because of her

Okay

Let him enjoy his private life

and his love affair

so long as he doesn't report
to the police

Tell me all his whereabouts

Sure

I don't believe he can keep
the secret for ever

Singing Competition for the Youth?

Sue

Will you be with me forever?

Whatever I want you to do

you must do it

You take part in the competition

Mr. Sun

Yeah, she has practiced
singing for two days

Greeting, judges

My name is Sue Lingfang

I'm going to sing Aroma

We're already one day late

I need her home address

and her associates

Look them up for me at once

We mustn't fall behind others

Hey, wait for me

What are you doing?

Really pretty

In just one more week

If you haven't made a dent

I'll do something to her

Never doubt my will

In such business goals
are obtained by all means

Let's go out and play

Sue

We'll be always together

won't we?

I promise I will

Let's go

It's village nesting
against a mountain

A river running by

people live on the top of their houses

The chief's mansion

Hurry up

Peter, give this message to Mr. Ou

Tell him to burn it after reading

Still hurts?

Yunnan White Power is very efficacious

Barbie, I... actually...

Barbie, I...

Do you think that I have changed?

Do you still love me then?

Barbie

don't change yourself for others

We drank the same wine last time

Barbie, don't misunderstand me

I've never loved you

Young master

Your words are hurting me!

Come with me. What for?

Let me go!

Barbie, listen to me

Give this to Madam Liu

See to it that she finishes
reading it at once

Please

For that dumb girl?

I won't do it

Barbie

this may be the last time we meet

You're the only one that
I can trust now

Great! Death ends all troubles

I'll burn some heaven money for you

Sue. I'm so afraid

I'm really afraid

Sue

I have something to tell you

In a few days

I'll take a long journey

I'm going to a very distant place

Fully show your talents
in the competition

Win your fame

I have helped you contact
with a new company

Be cooperative with them

Remember

just concentrate on the competition

I will surely come back

In a moment, run away

Run straight ahead

There's church in the front

Hide yourself in the church
as soon as you get there

I'll go and find you there

Remember

run as fast as you can

No matter what happens

just run forward

Run!

Why come back? Leave at once!

Run away

Run away

I decide to take Sue
Lingfang to be my wife

For richer, for poorer, in sickness
and in health, for whatever

I'll love her

protect her and respect her

so long as we both shall live

Close your eyes

Today, let me declare

that Miss Sue Lingfang

has signed the contract
and joined our company

What were you doing?

They even escaped from
under your noses

Now how can I kill them
and make them silent?

You idiots!

Go and find them

I know where to find the evidence

You are taking the key

So you must go there with me

Let's go

This villa is particularly
prepared for our artists

All other artists live here too

From now on, I'll be in charge of
your accommodations and travels

Come over. Sit down

Here is your new contract

Is it necessary to
read it out for you?

Then leave your fingerprint here

Come on

Let me tell you our arrangements

First you'll have
a medical examination

Then you'll have a singing lesson

Tomorrow morning a singing lesson too

Then physical training
in the afternoon

Can you make her smile a little?

Please. Smile, please

Yeah, great

I'm very happy to be here today

Say after me

Too-day...

To...

Stop. Stop...

I've told you again and again

Start singing when I raise my hand

Didn't you see my raised hand
with your big eyes?

We won't allow you to take part
in the competition in such a state

The final match will be held tomorrow

You mustn't be in such a state

Mr. Jiang has said
he won't see you again

Madam Liu

if you can see this video

I apologize for my past improper
behaviors in the company

Now I'm urgently in need of your help

As it's a matter of life and death

I can't tell you the reason

Few days remain in my life

People that I can trust are few either

So in three days

at eight o'clock in the church

please declare through media

that Sue Lingfang
has joined your company

Please make sure her safety

Help her in the competition
and achieve instant fame

I wish her a peaceful life

Tell her to forget me and hate me

I know I'm in purgatory

I'm certain to die

having few days to go

I'm not able to repay
your kindness in my life

But seeing my love
suffering the miseries

I can't leave calmly

So at this moment of life and death

I seek help from you

Miss Sue

Miss Sue

Calm down, Miss Sue

There

The key

- Be quick
- Yes, sir

Exactly as I expected

As to people in the know,
the fewer, the better

Don't move

Mr. Sun

Don't move. Give me the pistol

Mr. Ou, tell me why?

I want to be a good man

Stay there

Don't move

Don't move

Not there, young master

Over here. Here

I failed to get a car but a motorcycle

Come on

You're marvelous!

Damn it

I'll tear them. Catch them

Hello

Give the phone to Jiang

You're desperate. So are we

Isn't that dumb going to sing
in the final competition this evening?

Wait and read tomorrow's newspapers

If you dare to give
the evidence to the police

I'll be ready to accept my notoriety

and turn to ashes together with you

I'll make you die in my hand
or somebody else's

Young master

Young master

Don't go

No

It's a trap!

You can revenge your father right now

Don't go

But I can't bear to see
my lover being in danger

Wait

How come she's not ready yet?

Almost

Tell her to hurry up. She is next

Camera 2

Close shot

Our next competitor is Sue Lingfang.
Let's welcome with applause

Miss Sue, you haven't dressed up yet

Miss Sue

Miss Sue

Quick. Cut to ads

Wait

Call the police!

Be careful!

Look. Here comes Jiang

Quick. Cut to ads

Stop him. Catch him!

There

Quick

Yeah?

The little star is in my hand

Tell Jiang Shaojun

to take the evidence to Xinguangfeng

I know where he is

Let's go

Little girl

Nice to see you again

Mr. Jiang loves you

I believe you love him, too

He'll be sad if he lose you

Don't be afraid

I won't harm you

No!

Sue, hold on

Hold on

Book...

That book...

I can understand the book now

Long, long ago

there was a place
called the Aroma City

with no pains

no sorrow

no depravity, no jealousy

no hatred or evil

All the people there could sing well

And their bodies sent forth
aroma, just like yours

To die for my love

is what I wish most

But one day...

the sky was engulfed by wild flames

When the city was almost annihilated

the king and the queen
put the princess in the ark

which began to float around ever since

May I have a look at the book
from the Aroma City?

Have you fully understood the book?

Then the fire and
her birthday you mentioned...

I only hope she'll be in her
happiness when her death comes

Then you have cheated her

But I believe all these are true

You have only a backpack
and a motorcycle

and a legend you've imagined

But you should know

that snow mountain

from ancient time till today

has never been conquered

No climber has ever returned

To die for my love

is what I wish most

Anything else?

If I fail to return

promise me that you would

according to the plan

renovate the church

help build the Aroma Hope School

and keep the book and the secret in it

I haven't promised you

You have already done

Would you buy some flowers, sir?

How fragrant they are!

At that moment I became widely known

not for fame and gain

but to meet you again

That day I pray to gods

not for happiness

but for your safety
during journey back

That night I listen to sacred songs

not for apprehending

but for a delicate scent

That time I travel far and wide

not for the sceneries

but to reunite with you on the way

Have you found him?

I saw only his motorcycle
at the foot of the mount

Get contact with Mr. Zhang

We need to talk about
the building of the school