Up the Yangtze (2007) - full transcript

I first traveled to China a few years ago
with my grandfather.

As a child,
he used to tell me stories

about the mythical Yangtze river.

I believed that somehow

I would get to see the China
that he remembered.

Instead we found
a brand new country being created.

I'm heading upriver on
a luxury cruise boat

towards the Three Gorges Dam,

the largest hydro-electric project
in the world.

Already the area
has undergone massive flooding.

Imagine the Grand Canyon
being turned into a Great Lake.



An estimated
two million people will be relocated

when the dam is finished.

They call these cruises
'The Farewell Tours'.

People want to wave goodbye
before it all disappears.

The first stop on the tour is Fengdu.

It's known as the Ghost City

because your soul must come here

to pass through
the Gates of Hell to be reborn.

Most of the residents
have moved across the Yangtze

because the Ghost City
will soon be flooded.

I used to work in the...

in the old city as a coolie.

I used a pushcart to carry luggage

from the boats
that docked next to the shore.



After the old city
moved across the river,

they took down your old house,

no matter who you were.

I had to find a place on my own

so I built a hut next to the shore.

Right here where no one lives
I can plant some vegetables.

There are dots on this one.

That doesn't look so good.
Let's move on.

I think my family
is living a pretty good life.

I think the downside would be that

the house we're living in
is not in very good condition.

But the good side is that
we have good food.

Because I know that many of my classmates
don't eat as well as we do.

I want to go to high school
after middle school.

High school?

Where's the money for that?

Many of my classmates
are going to high school.

Now we're in a socialist society
that demands knowledge.

We need to go to high school.

Besides,
the country needs well-educated talent.

So middle school is not enough.

It's not that I don't want you to go.

Because if you go alone,

do we just forget about
your little brother and sister?

It's better
if you go and earn some money.

Then you can afford to go later.

How can I make that much money?

We'll see then,
if you can't make that much...

Good evening everyone.

Welcome aboard our ship,
the Victoria Queen.

Good evening everyone.

Welcome!

And my name is Ernie Kemm,

and the gentleman
who is doing the translating for me

answers to the name of Campbell Hur.

Or you can choose to call me
Campbell Soup or Ben Hur.

Either one.

Ok. I know a joke.

It's just a joke about
what's going on in China.

There's American leader
and Chinese leader.

They're sitting on the back seat
of their limousine.

And they're driving on the road of life.

Then there comes a crossroads:

On the left it says Socialism.

And then go on the right,
it says Capitalism.

The American leader says,
"Oh, let's go right."

But the Chinese leader says,

"Ok, let's also turn right."
"But let's turn on the left indicator."

That is what is going on in China.

But people don't really care.

As one famous Chinese leader said,

"The colour of a cat doesn't matter."

"No matter if it's black or white,"

"as long as this cat"
"can catch rats or mice,"

"it's a good cat."

Chairman Mao Zedong was so inspired
to dam The Three Gorges,

he composed this poem
after swimming across the Yangtze:

A bridge will fly
to span the north and south,

Turning a deep chasm into a thoroughfare;

Walls of stone will stand upstream
to the west

To hold back Wushan's clouds and rain

Till a smooth lake
rises in the narrow gorges.

The mountain goddess
if she is still there

Will marvel at a world so changed.

The water will soon rise
when the Three Gorges Dam closes.

I'm really worried.

But even if my heart worries,
there is nothing I can do.

The Three Gorges Dam
is a national project, not private.

The higher level of government
distributes the money.

But when the money trickles down
through the hands of people,

like corrupt officials,
it just disappears.

My father was a minor village official
for the old government,

so after liberation
he was labeled a counter-revolutionary.

Which means it was a bad background, anti-revolution.

Our farm collective persecuted my family

so we fled my hometown.

My mom starved to death
in the Great Famine of the 1960s.

It was like this
during Chairman Mao's time.

Before I think my dream
was to go to university

and be a scientist.

But now I think it's impossible.

I'd say maybe let Yu Shui go to work.

I think that's what she should do.

We can't make enough money
for her to study.

How can she go to school
when she only scored 400 points?

She can only go to work.

Let her go to work first...

Of course I'm worried that

if we let her go study
then we'll be short of money.

But if we don't she may blame us later.

When the water rises
and the Three Gorges gate closes,

where can you farm?

You can't even have a life.

She'll be fine working on the boat.

Some of her classmates
are working on the Fengdu boats.

The Chinese believe that success
is defined by five key influences:

fate, luck,
environment, virtue and education.

You can't change your fate

but you can predict your luck.

By improving your character,
environment, and skills

you may have a better chance at success.

I've been told countless stories
of peasants becoming millionaires.

Hello?

If you have nothing to do,
Chen Bo Yu is leaving.

Come and join us.

The mood's not right!

Let's go to Wild Cat to dance.

Don't be like this,
Lingering in my mind,

You'll find out how lonely I am.

In my dreams,
I've kissed you a thousand times...

When the boat managers
came to our school,

they told me they hired me

because I have two advantages:

First I'm good-looking,
and second I'm good at English.

I am ambitious.

I'm never satisfied with what I have.

I don't want a flat and tasteless life.

Tonight is about having fun.

Tomorrow will be about my career.

Career is the top priority!

When I come back in the New Year,

I guarantee you guys more fun
than you can handle!

In my opinion you are still students.

Whenever you have difficulties
in your life,

As your buddy I can help you with the money I earned.

Give me a shout.

Soon I'll be earning my own money.

I'll have more than you guys.

Let's fill it up.

Drink up to show that
we share the same passions, right?

Okay, brothers forever!

Life long brothers! Forever.

Whoa, what the fuck?

Remember when you leave
to listen and obey.

Otherwise it's no good.

Go get me some more rice.

Go get it for your father.

C'mon, be quick. Be good.

Mom, can you see me off?

See you off? There's no need.

You know your way.

Besides, you're a grown-up now.

You're a middle school graduate.

I don't read.

I might take you to the wrong boat.

You're not a real mother!
It's not worth it!

Stubborn temper!

Come and collect the plates!

It's your responsibility! Hurry up!

You're having too much fun.
It's your turn to clean.

Remember to clean the table later.
Remember that.

You know that our family is poor.
You can't compare us to others.

You understand the situation, no?

We don't even have anything to eat.
How can we afford to rent a house?

I know
you don't want your parents to suffer.

Your hard work will pay off.

I know it's because your father and I
don't have the skills

that we have to exploit you.

If we had a choice,
how could we do this to you?

You know your father isn't educated.
He can't read.

Whatever clothing you need,
buy a little bit.

The rest of the money send back
to your parents.

We'll put it aside.

In your daily life, eat well.

Don't save money on that, okay?

When you spend money on food,
don't worry about us too much.

I'm going to give you an English name.

We'll call you Cindy.

What's your name?

Chen Bo Yu.

What's your English name?

Jerry. Here's Jerry.

Cindy

This is our operations manager, Michael.

You have two long-sleeves,

two trousers and two t-shirts.

Here are two long trousers.

Here is a tie and apron, one for each.

Here is a tie clip.

Most of them are single child
in the family.

They are like an apple
in their mothers' eyes.

So in my opinion they are spoiled.

They are kind of self-centered.

See, they don't know
how to care for the others.

But here, they need to learn.

My duty is to train these young people

not only in the professional skills

but also in the meaning of life.

How do you like it?

Attention!

Eyes front!

Stand to the right!

Who's still moving?

You can't hold still for a short time?

Quality service.
Do we have the confidence?

Yes.

I can't hear the confidence
in your voice.

Do you have it or not?
- Yes.

That's better.

Let's talk about studying English.

Twenty years ago,

when I first brought foreign tourists,

people in Hong Kong would call them
"foreign devils".

At that time,

Americans were
number one enemy of the Chinese people.

We were taught like that.

Particularly in the past twenty years,

great changes have taken place.

You should feel lucky.

You should be proud of being able to
work on the Victoria cruise.

Why?

As a young boy, a young girl,

living in a modern city... okay...

in a modern time.

Being able to speak
foreign language or English,

it's almost a must.

So now, let's invite Cindy.

Would you please come over?

Good morning everybody.

Please allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Cindy.

I'm from Chongqing, our homeport.

I'm very happy to be your waitress.

Enjoy your meals,

I wish you good appetite every day.

Very good. Very good.

You can try speaking slower.

"Good morning everybody."
"Good morning everybody."

"Please allow me to introduce myself."

My "University of Life" has just begun.

You should have confidence in yourself.

Where there's a will, there's a way.

Rome was not built in a day.

(It's so easy to learn Chinesey)

(It's as easy as ABC)

(Just sing and you will see)

(How easy it can be.)

(Are you ready? Ok)

(Ni hao is hello.)

(Ni hao is hello.)

(Zai Jian is goodbye.)

(Zai Jian is goodbye.)

(Yi, er, san, 1, 2, 3)

(Yi, er, san, 1, 2, 3)

(Ni is you, wo is me.)

(Ni is you, wo is me.)

(Gan bei, bottoms up.)

(Xie xie is thank you.)

(Ni hao ma, how are you.)

(Hen hao xie xie, Fine thank you.)

You should greet the guests
wherever you meet them,

even by the staircase.

Hello.

No! Don't say "hello"!

Normally you say: "good morning,"

"good afternoon, good evening".
That's the proper way.

Good morning,
good afternoon, good evening.

Welcome aboard.

Welcome aboard.

Welcome aboard.

Hello.
- Good morning.

Shalom to you.

At lunch you let out the water.

When you come back at dinnertime
you add water.

You can put those together too.

You have to keep plates
and bowls separate.

Otherwise, you damage them.

Here's the daily cleaning fluid.

Press that to wash.

If you don't do this properly,
the water leaks out.

It'll be messy.

Have a look. This is the sink.

Here's the electricity switch.

The first thing
you do every morning is switch it on.

The whole place will light up.

Plates with a blue circle
belong to the kitchen.

When the time comes,

I will set you up with more complex work.

Ok.

So tired!

The tour hasn't changed
since my first trip.

The only exception is that now,

people speak of the river
in the past tense.

I get the feeling that
the tourists are mostly here

to see some ancient version of China
that doesn't exist anymore.

Okay. Okay. Okay.

It's okay?
- It's okay.

Woo!

Walk slowly.

The new construction that's going on,

the relocation from the 3 Gorges project

and all of the new buildings...

I'm just amazed at
the size of the cities here in China.

Didn't expect that at all.

I think China's even more modern
than I was expecting to see.

But poverty of the rural life
is still very visible also.

I've enjoyed the humor of the people.

I find that they're uh...

well, they're just funny at times.

Pay attention when talking to Americans

to not be overly modest or polite.

Too modest or even a little bit humble,

they might think that you're a bit fake.

Don't compare Canada
to the United States.

Don't talk about Quebec independence.

Avoid the issue of Northern Ireland.

Don't talk about this issue.

Don't talk about monarchies,

royalty or royal families,

or any relevant serious political issues.

Don't call anybody old, pale or fat!

In English you will say 'plump'.

Drain the water
after you take out the garbage.

Make sure everything is clean.

That's it.

You shouldn't say this is good enough.

You need to finish it.

Make sure you clean the mess thoroughly
and properly.

You can't leave things half-done.

If you have to clean this place,
then make it clean.

Don't cry. Just do it slowly, okay?

You will learn more by toughening up.

Don't be upset. This is not difficult.

All you need to do is to clean this up.

That's our duty.

It's not any easier to serve
in the dining hall.

You still need to work hard.

And this is straightforward work
and easy to do.

You always have to remind her at work.

She doesn't know enough,

especially when it comes to hygiene.

And communicating with people.

I got blisters on my hands
when I first came on the boat.

Nobody can help you.

If you're doing guest rooms,

you have to do your own work.

Everybody has their own duties to cover.

She really has to change a lot.

Is she afraid of asking?

No, I don't think she realizes that
she needs to ask.

She should be more humble
when she's working in the kitchen.

I think she's a bit shy, though.

She lives by the river

and her family is really poor.

If her family is poor
then she should work even harder.

This is my grandfather singing
about the river.

As the water rises,

my grandfather's stories
slowly disappear.

Everywhere there are reminders of
progress and sacrifice.

Signs mark the flood level

where the Yangtze will rise
to 175 meters.

You look very young!

How old are you?
- Almost twenty.

Twenty.
- Almost.

Me, too.
I'm nineteen years old this year.

You're nineteen, too?
- Yes!

And your name is?

Jerry.

Christian, hi.
- Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you, too.

What's your favorite sports?

Sports? Football I think.

Football. Yes, Balak!

Yes, everybody knows Balak!

Do you have girlfriend?

Yeah...

I think she looks very beautiful.

I think so too!

I always go to...

go shopping with my girlfriend
in my fair time.

I don't like shopping.

I don't like it.

And many... In China, many, many girls,

many girls' hobby is going, go shopping.

Is shopping. That's the same in Germany.

Yes, the whole night.
She can go shopping whole night.

Prost!

Gan Bei!

This one! I was wondering what it was.

Yu Shui, what are you doing?

I'm writing some stuff.

Writing your diary?

Yeah, sort of... diary.

I'm worried if the river rises back home

and floods our land and house.

I'm worried my father
can't find a place to move to

and what will he do afterwards?

I'm just worried about them.

I miss them every day.

We'll eat as soon as
your mother cooks the winter-melon.

It's still early.
It's not even 6:00 in the morning yet.

(156m, the moving line)

One of the last villages to be relocated

is also the birthplace of Liu Bo Cheng,

a great and heroic General
of the People's Liberation Army.

He fought arm-in-arm with Mao

against the Nationalists.

General Liu came from a peasant family.

In his youth, he wrote:

"I must take up sword and spear"

"to change this unfair world"

"and to save"
"the citizens of the country from chaos."

(Quotations from. Chairman Mao Tse-tung.
Proletarian Cultural Revolution Success!)

What dynasty is it?

Ming dynasty!
- Ming dynasty?

Yes, Ming era!

How much for that one?

Sell it if you like my offer.
Don't be so difficult!

We're moving,
the prices are already the lowest!

There will always be people
who need to make sacrifices.

It's impossible to stop
the building of the Three Gorges Dam

because of my own needs.

Sacrificing the little family
for the big family.

If your house is going to be flooded,
then don't stay there!

I will report
to a higher-level government.

How dare!

Look, they're fighting about
resettlement again.

You just can't help it.

Go take a look!

We did all the calculations,
signed all the papers,

and had the house demolished.

After all these months,

we still didn't get
the promised compensation.

The Zhan village got 300 yuan,

while we only got 200 yuan compensation.

They had people come and beat us!

What can you say about
us getting beaten up?

They tore down our machines
and threw them on the ground.

It's hard being a human

but being a common person in China
is even more difficult.

China is too hard for common people.

Some officials are like bandits:
Beating, smashing, robbing...

Even wanting a roof over our heads
is difficult.

When we had to move,
we were dragged and beaten.

No money to bribe the officials,
so they gave us a hard time.

For common people living day-by-day,
it's really not easy.

Ladies and gentlemen,

you know after this dam is finished,

the most important thing
is the relocatee.

How about the relocatee?

Would you like to have a look?

This is the new apartment
of the relocatees.

Where is the old house?

The old house is already underwater.

Ladies and gentlemen,
shall we get off the coach?

If you have any question or issues,

you can ask the farmer directly.

I will just do the job of the interpreter.

In the farmer's house,
they have the refrigerator,

colour TV, air conditioning.

I think the house is okay.

Seeing is believing.

Would you like to have a look
with your own eyes?

Absolutely!

The farmer here,
they grow the tea, tobacco and orange.

For example,
the people move to Guangdong province

so the farmers should learn to grow

the rice paddies,

sugar cane.

That's hard!

Yeah but the local government
and the local citizen try to help them.

They probably aren't
as happy as the people

who get to stay here though.

Right

Uh... uh... All of them are happy!

All of them are happy!
- OK!

I'll believe that!

I have been doing this
for almost half-a-month now.

The weather has been dry.

It's not enough by only farming.

You can't grow anything in the land.

When the Three Gorges gate closes,
the water level will soon rise

and the farmland will be flooded.

I'll have to earn some extra cash

to pay for my kids' studies and to live.

No money if I stay home.

It's coming, coming, coming.

Watch out! Watch out!

Watch out! Watch out!

I don't like these ones with the hoods.

Let me find you a larger one.
That's kind of small.

How about you just try it on?

Just put it on, okay?

Just put it on.

Can we try it?

Here we go.
Just hang your clothes up there.

It's kind of tight.

It's not revealing!

That's not revealing.
She didn't clip the button properly.

Don't slouch.

You have to put the sleeves like this.
To this side.

That's nice.

Yes, it's better than the other one.

Like that!
She should straighten her shoulders!

That will look much better. It's nice.

How much is it?

It's 148 yuan
with a 20 percent discount.

20 percent discount? Help me calculate.

How about a little cheaper?

How about 100 yuan?

Okay.

Good afternoon everyone.

Our ship is now arriving
at the city of Fengdu. Thank you.

Mom!

You're early. When did you come?

I've just come down.
- Just come down.

This must be your father!

Your parents, right?

Nice to meet you. My name is Zheng.

How about we go on the boat
for a little sit down?

That's not necessary.

It's nothing. Let's go.
Let's go have a look around, okay?

Okay.
- Yes, come. Come.

I'm sorry if my daughter
is too young and disobedient...

Hopefully you can tolerate her.

You have a nice view from the bar.

Come sit here.

No thanks, it's fine.

Employees need to speak English.

Little Yu is working hard to learn.

Yes, that's for sure.

The kind of thing
she always wants to learn.

The situation is impossible
because of our family's condition.

Now that she's on the boat

she might need a lot of help from you.

As for herself, unlike others,
she doesn't mess around that much.

She's never had a chance to go out
and see the world before.

This is her first time.

It's a big step forward.

To deal with Western customers,
from developed countries

that's a big change.

Things are changing for the better.

You should have confidence
in yourself and your daughter.

Confidence to believe that
things are changing.

The dreams you cannot fulfill
can be fulfilled through your daughter,

through her hard work,
and the progress of society.

Don't worry!

Well then, say good bye to your parents.

Be good!

Goodbye

Work hard, ok?

Ok, no problem.

Listen to your manager. Work hard.

Let's go. I'll see you later.

There is an old house
near the ancient Shibaozhai pagoda

in the town of Zhongxian.

It will be demolished
before the dam is completed.

An elderly woman has lived here
for most of her life.

The young tour guides
from the boat tell me that

the older generation doesn't want to move.

They're too set in their old ways.

I pray to the Holy Father.

It's a blessing to believe in God.

I pray everyday that
God comes to help me.

I pray for the youth.

The youth should also come to God.

To learn how to be and to tolerate.

Don't quarrel. Praise God.

God, I beg for your blessing.

Your humble daughter with many troubles.

Tears in my eyes,
thoughts stuck in my mind,

as if someone is clawing at my heart.

I'm God's child.
I depend on you to eat, drink and live.

Wherever you go I will follow forever.

Praise God.

Fighting.

If you are satisfied with our service,

we feel very cheerful.

Oh yes, very much so.

I said so on the comment sheet
and I left an envelope.

Oh! Welcome to our boat again.

Wonderful.

I congratulate you.

You were less obtrusive
than I thought you were going to be.

Is it yours?
- Yes!

Okay, Okay.
- Thank you.

Are we putting them there?
Or what? What are we taking?

I'm bringing this,
but the other one, I put underneath.

Thirty. Thirty!

I'm so happy. Fuck, $30 USD!

I can't believe it.

You did nothing
and she gave you thirty dollars!

They're out of their minds!

Now, since I'm earning my own tips,

I've learned how to handle rich people.

You have to know
how to use your eyes, right?

Normally I don't help the elderly.

Even if they ask I won't go.

I would ask someone else

because I know that
they are the fucking poorest.

They are the stingiest.

They only give two yuan tips.

What the fuck do I do with two yuan?

If they're too young or too old,

they won't give tips.

The best are
the middle-aged men or women.

I earn the most.

Fuck, think about it.
My mom only earns 1000 yuan a month.

My father makes about 2000 yuan.

Actually less than that.

I'm first in my family!

My salary is first!

So I'm very very very very happy!

Make more money... is my dream. Okay?

How's life on the boat?

Life is pretty good.

Do you eat meat everyday?

Everyday we always have
meat and vegetables.

Do they have television?

Yeah, there's televisions, fans.

The tour guides' cabins
are even air conditioned.

Did you meet any friends on the boat?

I've gotten to know quite a few.

One of them is called Xie Juan.

Her English name is Yo Yo.

She actually treats me pretty well.

We're always joking around
and laughing together.

She gives me nicknames.

Because I have darker skin,

she calls me a little grey rabbit!

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Do you feel homesick?

Yeah I do, Everyday.

You still want to
come back and see us, right?

Yeah.

Girls should know
how to pamper themselves.

Will you blame me
if I hurt you with this?

What do you think?

You need to dress up

so you're more pleasant to the eye.

Then it's easier to be with people.

Is that right?

That's right.

(Charming Star! New Cosmetic.)

I'm drawing you to look like a panda.

You're laughing all the time.

Got to put on lipstick
to bring out the shape.

Now you look so womanly!

It would be better
if your hair was longer.

You'd look like a doll!

Now smile. Isn't that cute?

So ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the singer, Jerry!

Please welcome Chen Bo Yu.

I dedicate this song to you.

Enjoy your vacation. Thank you.

When the earth rotates, it's a day...

That means I'm missing you
for another extra day.

Forever the same horizon.

My heart will never change.

Love you for ten thousand years.

That love can overcome all obstacles.

Surpass the limitation of time.

Bring closer another part of the world.

Stay with each other,
close together forever.

Thank you.

I told Chen Bo Yu that

if he wants to learn I can teach him.

But he doesn't respect me.

I hate these types of people.

He's so arrogant. He's like an actor.

Not someone who goes to work.

Like acting all the time.

So we've never taken him as one of us.

He's a superstar.

Look at him.

Just eat your food. Don't make me choke.

Chen Bo Yu, what are you thinking?

I'm asking, what are you thinking?

I'm going to cry.

Self-criticism.

Heping and I
carried suitcases to room 332.

As usual we went in,

put down the luggage

and said hello to the guests.

We stayed for several minutes

and the customer
gave us 20 US dollars for tips.

Then we left and we closed the door.

Over.

I didn't take the initiative.

I didn't ask her for it.

I never said:

"You need to give me some personal tips."

I never said this at all.

We closed the door and left.

She complained.

She complained
and said we asked her for tips.

I don't think I'm suitable for this job.

I'm too arrogant.

I look down on everything.

I think I was born with a silver spoon.

Then what's going to happen to you
for your future then?

My parents keep me in the future.

I'm very young. I'm 19 years old.

This is their responsibility.

But Yu Shui is only sixteen.

We're different.

I come from a richer family.

I can continue my studies

but does she have the opportunity?

Can her family support her
to go to school?

Well, my family can.

First, when the customers come in

you need to smile, got it?

Do you know how to smile?

A gentle smile?

You can't smile like that!

You have to be natural.
- Not a silly smile.

Then let the guests remember your name.

Your English name.

Introduce yourself to them.

My name is Cindy.

Do you know any tourist spots
along the Yangtze?

For example,
do you know where we are now?

No, I don't know.

From now on,
you need to know them, okay?

You have to work harder

and maybe later on
you will be promoted to serve out here

and earn tips.

The situation now is that

there's no way I can get compensation.

In the end it feels like

the rock I carried has smashed my foot.

As a peasant
who doesn't read or watch television

I can't make any judgment on it.

I believe this business
belongs to the upper government.

Nobody cares about me.

Like people say,

"I'm like an illegal citizen."

Jerry, you've been here
for a while now, right?

Yeah, it's been three months already.

The probation period.

So for the three months probation

I think you've somehow learned things

and advanced.

However, in other words...

in general, your performance
is not up to our standard.

That means both your performance
and your capability

are below the standards
of our ship's requirements.

That means you will
have to leave our company

and find another job.

Over-confidence, self-conceit,

and self-centeredness

for a young man,

especially for a single child,

These are the characteristics
you need to overcome.

That's how I feel about it.

Do you think the construction
is beneficial to you?

There must be some benefits.

It's beneficial to our country,

but for individuals,

I don't think it will do any good.

You carry this with you?

Yeah.

What's that?

It's my clothes.

I can tell you're from Fengdu from this.

I'm going to show you.

Come here.

Have you ever seen this? This is the dam.

Do you have a dam in Fengdu?

No.

What's this?

This is part of the Yangtze river

and the dam cuts it into two pieces.

This is what we call damming.

We did it back in 1997 and 2003.

Yeah, I've seen on TV.
- Have you seen it on TV?

Yeah, but it's better to be here myself.

Electricity is transmitted through wires.

Maybe it goes to Fengdu.

I don't know. I have no idea about that.

So these are all electric?

Yes, now it's all electrical.

Her father is very much like
typical Chinese farmer.

Don't know much.

Really have no idea
what's going on with the dam.

He thinks he knows
He doesn't trust the government.

A small child dances on the eve
of the Autumn Moon festival.

I'm reminded of my grandfather

who once told me about Guan Yin,

the Goddess of Mercy

She saved the people from a Great Flood

by sending down bundles of rice

in the tail of a small dog.

Today, these myths
no longer seem to hold any value.

Even my grandfather can't recognize
the China he once knew.

Keep it low
so it's easier for me to lift it.

Don't you get it?

There's a big crack here.
- Where?

Push! Yeah, push it forward a bit.

Do you want me to hold it?

No, it's not necessary.

Dirty or not doesn't matter.

Here's our new home.

Before in the little hut,

even though it didn't look good,

Doesn't look good like this place.

You didn't need money
for vegetables or water.

Up here, you have to buy them.

Go and make your own bed.

I'm looking for the palm mattress.

Stretch the corner a bit.

Our country is really...

strong and prosperous now.

So strong and prosperous

that it can actually
stop the gigantic river.

Go!