Dust in the Wind (1986) Movie Script
1
Dust In The Wind.
What's wrong?
I couldn't do the math.
Why don't you ask me before?
Huen.
Your Mom wants you
to bring the rice home.
They're going to show a movie.
How come you're so late?
I missed the train.
When will your father
be out of the hospital?
I don't know.
Dinner time.
Why don't you eat?
Grandpa says if you don't eat.
You'll be hungry, and then you'll die
and if you die,
you can't live with Mom
or Dad.
Be a good boy.
Let Grandpa feed you.
You're not being good.
You have to listen to Grandpa.
When you grow up,
you can go to school.
Be good.
Let Grandpa feed you.
You won't? Let's put some soup in.
It's good with soup.
There's oil in the soup.
Let's try some soup.
What a naughty boy.
Taking all the oil in the soup
and adding it to your own rice
leaving nothing
for your brothers and sisters.
You must pour soup evenly.
Everyone must do it this way.
I told you.
Grandpa feels sorry
whenever your Mom beats you.
When your Mom's not home
you steal MSG in the kitchen.
Eating too much of that stuff
your hair will start falling.
And that's not the worst.
Tooth paste is for brushing teeth.
You even stole toothpaste to eat.
You shouldn't do things like that.
You must be good.
Listen to Grandpa.
Listen closely to Grandpa.
Look, this isn't the ordinary rice.
Grandpa bought this in Taipei
in a fancy restaurant.
Only foreigners were eating there.
This is Western food.
There's an egg in there.
You have to eat it to grow up.
Look at these sticks.
This is not the ordinary rice.
Be a good boy.
Eat it.
Grandpa, is Wan home?
What do you want him for?
I need him to write a letter for me.
Wan.
The auntie next door needs your help
to write a letter.
Please help me write a letter.
OK. Let's go upstairs.
He hasn't sent money home for 3 months.
His father is angry.
Auntie, please slow down
I can't write that fast.
OK
OK
Little brother and sister
need money for food and clothes.
Tell him to send money
when he gets paid.
Grandpa.
Is your foot better?
Much better.
Slowly.
Hello, Grandpa.
Hello.
Medicine change.
Medicine change?
Wait a moment
Ching
Ching.
Someone's here to change the medicine.
Dad, your watch.
School report card.
Dad, I don't feel like
going to senior high.
Then what do you want to do?
I want to go to Taipei and work
I can go to night school if I want.
It's up to you.
If you want to be a cow,
there will always a plow for you.
How much?
27 dollars in all.
How come it costs so much?
3 packs of pills cost 15.
One bottle of stomach medicine is 12.
That makes 27.
Stomach medicine?
Those pills are the ones my husband
took
the day his foot was injured.
What's the stomach medicine for?
You devil!
Ding.
Ding.
Come over here.
You devil!
You won't get away?
You really know how to eat!
If it's not toothpaste, it's MSG.
You even ate stomach medicine!
Your mouth is so itchy.
You should try biting rocks.
Who's he?
He said you wouldn't
be able to pick me up
I told you to wait at the Rear Station.
My Mom said
the Rear Station isn't safe.
She told me to wait on the platform.
My rice sack!
What's in it?
Potatoes.
Give it back!
What do you think you're doing?
You beat me!
Help! You beat me!
Beating up on an old man!
I told you to mix the colors.
This is Huen.
This is Hen-chun.
How do you do?
I'm Huang Chien-ho.
But they all call me Hen-chun.
Wait here
I have to rush to work.
I'll be back after work.
Have you had your meal?
Not yet.
No problem
I'll take her to the back to eat
and then to the front
to see free movies.
Potatoes.
Grandpa said to bring this Quemoy crop
to give to your boss.
Ma'am.
My Grandpa said
these potatoes are for you.
Weren't you supposed
to deliver the lunchbox?
So slow?
Do you know what you're doing?
Have you had your meal?
Not yet.
Go to eat.
Mrs. Lin, your son fainted.
What happened?
He fainted from hunger
during the Physical class.
From hunger?
He didn't bring lunch today.
What happened to your lunchbox?
Thank you teacher,
Would you like some water?
No, thanks. I've got to
go back to school.
Bye.
Where's the lunchbox?
The lunchbox!
How could you miss the lunch box?
Are you sure you know
what you're doing?
Your brain is like a rock.
Drifting all day.
We're already worried
that he's too thin
and you forgot to
deliver his lunchbox!
You forgot to turn off the machine.
Electricity isn't free.
So slow.
Where's the lunchbox?
Give it to me.
How did it turn to this?
What's wrong with you?
You're not afraid
that my son will die?
Sir.
Sir, would you like to eat with us?
Hen-chun, there's someone to see you.
It might be King.
Get the meat for me.
King
Huen.
King.
Have you eaten?
Not yet.
Let me get your bowl
Huen, you're getting prettier
Ying, let me introduce you.
This is Huen.
This is Ying.
You got your job through her.
You full name is?
Kang So-huen.
Come on and eat some rice and eggs.
I made it myself.
Wan, do you know Hsiung
is going into the army?
His boss needs a replacement.
Do you want to go?
1800 per month.
Eat and sleep in the boss's place.
It's more money than now.
But to deliver things all day,
I can't learn anything.
I heard Hsiung say
you'll have more time there.
You can study more.
What's the boss like?
A bandit like Hsiung
stayed there so long,
can't be too bad.
You believe Hsiung?
Liar!
Keep it down!
They're showing a movie out there.
Can they hear us out there?
It might be loud.
King will take you to Ying's shop
I'll pick you up after school
I'll introduce you to your boss.
She's a good person.
What's wrong with her?
I almost forgot
your father brought you a watch.
It's brand new.
It says "World famous watch".
Let me see.
It's Timex
I heard it's very famous and tough.
Let me see.
I can hear it.
It's automatic.
That's right. Automatic
100% waterproof
"100%"...You read English?
Come on. Who can't read "A,B,C"?
100%
It must be very expensive.
Do you know how much it cost?
I don't know.
His father bought it on installment.
Expensive. Over a thousand.
Not cheap.
What's wrong with him?
What's wrong with him?
You talk too much!
Dear sister,
Huen already has a job.
She got it through a seamstress
in King's friend's taylor shop.
It's stable.
Tell her parents not to worry
I've received the watch
Dad asked Huen to bring me.
I wonder how expensive it was.
How much does it cost per month?
Find out discreetly from Mom.
Then write me.
How are you doing at school?
If you have questions,
wait until I come home.
I remember when I was in junior high,
Every important exam
I would borrow Dad's watch.
It was too big
and would fall from my wrist.
So I tied it with a string.
Sir, I'm leaving.
Come and see us
I've deduct two days leave
from last month's salary.
Here is 1220 dollars.
Count it.
I'm leaving, sir.
If you can't find a job, come back
Huen
Huen.
Why haven't you come for so long?
I've been busy
I just finished exams at school.
Have you got used to it?
She cried all night last night.
Because you didn't come to see her.
And her family hasn't been writing.
I quit the job
at the printing factory
Hsiung is taking me
to see his boss today
I don't know if I can get the job.
You quit your job.
What if Hsiung's boss won't hire you?
That's ok
I wanted to quit long ago.
So now I quit.
I would determine to find a new job.
The reason I didn't quit
after being at the printer's
for two years
is that they often print books
so I could read while setting type.
I feel I owe to the boss, though.
He's a good man.
Excuse me
Yang Li-ying, a letter for you.
And one for Kang So-huen. Who's she?
The new girl.
See you later.
Stop crying. You've got a letter.
From whom?
My sister.
Did you tell him, Hsiung?
Yes, I did.
Do you know how to ride a motorcycle?
I can learn.
It's an easy job.
The main thing is making deliveries
and taking care of the shop
when you have time.
Ask Hsiung
if you need to know anything else
I will.
Oh, do you want to
live in the shop or...?
I'll stay with my friends.
That's the third glass.
Do you get homesick?
Come on. That's a lie.
The first month I came,
I would lie in bed thinking.
I wonder what my Mom's doing.
My Dad must be playing cards.
The tears would be
flowing out of my pants.
How could it come out
out of your pants?
Huen, cheers.
Have some. I'm going to the army.
Have some.
Drink.
Let me drink for her.
You've had enough.
Who wants to drink with you?
Forget about him.
He who is drafted is the boss.
Drink.
Good.
Since you drank with him,
you must drink with me.
Let's drink.
Let's drink.
It's a rare occasion
I'll drink to you.
Let's drink.
Cheers
cheers
Huen...
Hsiung, what are your thoughts
on being drafted?
What thoughts could I have?
Two years go by quickly, and then...
Get married. Have children.
You'll have to
introduce someone to me then.
Aren't you going for three years?
I was so unlucky
that I drew the three-year draw.
You'll get used to it.
No harm in extra training.
Let's sing.
As the wind breezes tonight
I dream of a full moon.
I can't sing no more.
Let's try another.
Tonight is windy
and rainy again in a strange city.
Street light reflects the raindrops.
It makes me sad.
Young men don't know.
Where to go.
Drifting ten thousand miles.
Lonely in the rainy harbor night.
Drink.
What good food are you bringing back?
What happened to your hand?
Nothing. I got careless with an iron.
An iron?
People iron clothes.
You iron your hand.
Did your hand get flattened?
No. I was careless.
Oh, you were careless.
How can you go home like this?
Your Mom will worry to death
if she sees this.
Does it still hurt?
I'm not going home.
Take the money back for me.
How much?
500 will be enough.
Save 250 for medicine
500 isn't enough.
That's ok. I have 1200 to bring home
I can give 300 to you.
To see a doctor costs a lot in Taipei
I can change medicine myself.
Yourself?
You want your hand to rot?
A girl, drinking with men!
What do you think of this?
I painted it myself.
Not bad, eh?
I painted it myself.
This shirt is really too plain.
Take it off
and I'll make it real pretty
I'll paint...
I'll paint a peacock for you.
Ok. Paint it.
Ok.
But you have to take it off.
Paint it.
Ok
Huen.
Hurry.
You want to buy gifts, don't you?
Hurry. I have deliveries to make.
Ok, I'll be right there.
This one's not bad.
This one?
Too gaudy.
The ring is no good.
Take a look at this pair.
Not bad.
Father's, mother's.
Is this yours?
My sister's.
Why buy so many?
I don't know what to buy.
My motorcycle!
Did you leave it here?
This one?
Look out over there.
Tell me if anyone's coming.
Don't.
Hurry!
Hurry! Don't...
They don't care if we die,
why do we care for them?
Hurry.
Wan, don't do this.
Don't.
Please don't.
You go home first
I'm not going home.
Where are you going?
How can I go home?
Don't be this way.
You must be thinking that
I caused you the trouble, right?
Didn't I give you
all my money to pay it back?
I'll pay you back.
I don't want you to pay me back.
Let's go, little brother...
Have a seat.
There are no more trains
and your clothes are wet.
Why not spend the night here.
Thank you.
Take care of him.
Let him sleep in Liu's bed.
Yes, sir.
Let's go.
Wu-hsiung.
Wu-hsiung.
Dad...
Dad...
Dad...
When he was born.
He was plump and white.
After he's 1 year old
the neighbors all said he's cute.
But after he turned to 3
he started feeling sick a lot
and had to see
the western doctors a lot.
That didn't help
so we changed
to a Chinese doctor.
His stomach kept growing
while his hands
and legs kept shrinking.
Remembered that we agreed.
After I adopted you
you were so obedient
and followed our family creed.
You swore
in front of our ancestors that
if your first child is a boy
you will let him take my name
to succeed our ancestors
and continue the tradition.
You swore in front of our ancestors.
Wan is already 4 years old now.
You didn't keep your promise.
Our ancestors in heaven will say.
Why aren't you going by the agreement?
So the boy has gotten this way.
Maybe that's why.
There's a saying goes:
Depend on people, and also on God.
You often carry him to see the doctors
and carry him back in the midnight.
He's not an adult.
He must have been traumatized.
There's no other explanation.
The best way to do
is to get a shaman
for an exorcism
to protect our boy
so he'll get well soon.
We'll select a day
to change the boy's surname
before our ancestors.
This will please our ancestors.
They will bless you to make more money
and protect the boy.
That's the right thing to do.
It's Huen. Come in.
Where's Wan?
Bronchitis.
He's been in bed for 3 days
I told him to see a doctor.
He said it's too expensive
and just took some medicine.
What calculation.
The medicine money
costs more than seeing a doctor
I took him to take a penicillin shot.
He vomited all over my back.
Wan, Huen is here.
Don't get up.
What happened?
Wan, you're up.
Are you hungry?
Don't come out. Lie down.
Hurry back to bed.
Mom, I'm home.
Wan is home.
They let you out on Ghost day?
We haven't prayed yet
Ching.
Wan is home.
We can begin to pray now.
Ok.
Grandpa.
What else is there?
Everyone is so busy,
and you're reading books?
As if you're really so diligent.
Ghost money
9000 dollars isn't bad.
But you have to work 30 days a month
to earn that much
man is not made of steel.
We're not like them,
sitting in the air-conditioned room
reading newspapers
and answering phone calls.
Shit.
The mine owner said
that's what the TV said.
But if they didn't say it,
how could the TV report said so?
No use in fighting with them.
What do you mean?
Then let them do as they said on TV.
Raise our salary.
Otherwise,
let's agree not to enter the pits.
Didn't our representative
discuss with them yesterday?
What use is the representative?
All the managers are his relatives.
His Grandpa, uncle, brothers-in-law.
And these bastards talking.
The boss is tough.
He said, "If you don't want to
enter the pits, don't enter then"
"Let everyone at home
wait for your payment..."
How come you're so skinny?
We just had the final exams at school.
If only your father
is as diligent as you.
Don't know what was said
on TV a few months ago.
Everybody's been restless since.
They're all crazy.
A whole group doesn't work.
Just fooling around
outside the pit all day.
You still have to eat everyday.
Where are you going?
Nowhere. To see the movie.
You act up when I scold you.
You're not going to Taipei tomorrow.
Stay at home and be a coal miner
like your father.
Forgot about the night school.
It's a waste of money.
Riding a motorcycle without a license
SO many injuries.
Other folks' kids are making money
in Taipei.
Unlike you!
What happened?
You had a motorcycle accident?
What else could I say?
I couldn't say I was beaten by my boss
with a steel bar.
It hurts.
I told you long ago
to quit.
The pay is lousy.
Your boss went too far.
Let's help him
find a new job
I'll ask my boss
I have been beaten all the time.
He treats me like an animal.
What happened?
You didn't pay the electric bills
27 dollars this month.
There's no power.
What was that?
What happened?
Dad, why are you setting firecrackers?
I didn't mean to.
It was pitch black.
I tried to find a half-used candle
I lit it but it exploded.
Scared me to death.
Fuck! I didn't know what happened.
That was a firecracker
I guess so.
It's short, like a half-used candle.
Scared me to death.
Good thing you're OK.
Took a firecracker for a candle.
Come on.
It's too big.
Let's look at it over here.
It's a little big.
It's too big.
Take it off. I'll alter it.
It's not that easy.
Oh.
Yesterday
when they changed my medicine,
I saw this part of my finger was gone.
The end of the finger.
It was reddish
like a sausage
that had been bitten by a cat.
Reddish.
Yesterday I had a dream.
It was terrifying.
Billboards were falling from the sky
I couldn't escape.
Got hit all over. Terrifying.
When I woke up,
I was sweating all over.
My whole body was wet
Huen.
How come you put so much salt
in the porridge?
What's the matter?
I received my draft notice.
Your draft notice!
How can I go to the army
with a finger like this.
In those days,
when the draft notice came,
the whole family would cry together.
It was natural.
In those days,
being drafted is like being executed.
Take this street for instance.
More than 30 people went to the army,
only 4 came back.
One of the 4 went crazy.
He lives in the end of the street.
Maybe my ancestors protected me.
Boat capsized, didn't die.
Surrounded for 6 months
in the jungle, didn't die.
Didn't starve to death.
There was nothing to eat.
"The lucky ones ate raincoats,
the unlucky ones ate stones".
There was a terrible disease
in the jungle.
An intestinal disease.
You die in a few days if you get it.
There wasn't any special medicine
in those days.
There wasn't any magic pills.
All you could do was watch them die.
We were all from Taiwan.
We couldn't bring their bodies home.
So we figured out a way.
We cut off their hands
and burned the meat off
and stuck the bones behind our backs.
I stuck a lot of bones behind my back
I wasn't scared,
didn't know I was supposed to.
Those days...
Now you have it easy in the army.
Eat well, wear good clothes,
like going to school.
This is just something
to wish you a good voyage.
Strive for your country.
This is this month's salary.
I only worked 12 days.
That's alright.
If we're good enough for you,
come and look me up
after you're discharged.
Your clothes will be ready soon.
Wait a moment.
There's a fire across the street.
You didn't try the college exams?
I ran into your elementary school
teacher Mr. Lin the other day.
Remember? He used to come over a lot.
He told me that you must try
to go to middle school.
He appreciates you a lot.
He told me that
if circumstances permitted,
We have to keep you in school.
It seems that for three generations
there's been no fortune
for study in this family.
Not to mention your Grandpa.
When I graduated from public school
Taiwan was just returned
to the mainland China
Japanese syllables changed to Chinese.
Everything went to waste.
Drink!
Wu-hsiung.
Wu-hsiung.
Hurry up! Everyone's waiting.
You're the last
I'll be right there.
Uncle, have you eaten yet?
Yes, have you?
Yes.
Come in.
Hurry.
Are they all there?
So I can't outdrink you,
I'm still stronger than you.
I'm going to move this rock.
What about you?
I'll move this one.
Too old!
You must concede.
I'm old?
I don't believe this rock has roots
I'm going to move it.
Enough! Move the rocks away!
You're blocking the road.
Every time they're drunk,
they fight with the rocks.
Concede! Face it, you're too old!
Mom, Dad's moving rocks again.
What can you do?
Your son's going into the army
tomorrow.
You have no sense of responsibility
I can't figure it out.
What can you do?
Kids today are such trouble.
They say they want black shoes.
Buy them black shoes
and they won't wear them.
Ask them why.
Say they don't fit school regulations.
So what, I'll wear them myself.
This is for you.
Your father bought it last night.
Take care of yourself.
Grandpa,
why are you setting firecrackers?
My grandson Wan is going into the army.
Congratulations!
Grandpa,
your grandson is going into the army?
Yes, Wan is going into the army.
Lei Kuo-wei.
Wang Ti-wen.
Wu Tsai-wei.
Kao Ming-shan.
Not present. I'll collect for him.
Sun Kuo-liang.
Tseng Hsien.
Hsieh Wen-yuan.
From Huen?
Ming Chin-chen.
Yes.
Tseng Hsien
(sounds like "needles and thread")
Ling Hung-ping
Yang Wen-hua.
Hsieh Wen-yuan.
Wan.
Wu Tsai-wei.
Hsieh Wen-yuan.
You take up all the airplane space.
Parents disown me,
brothers are heartless.
Wife and concubine have all run away.
Hsieh Wen-yuan.
So many?
Ming Chin-chen.
A package!
Wan.
Hen-chun went back to the south.
Someone introduced him a girl.
She's nice to him.
Hen-chun says he must marry her.
His girlfriend doesn't mind
he's not drafted.
He's got construction vehicle license.
He says there're construction works
everywhere down south.
He can earn more money
by driving the construction vehicle.
He says he'll sell
his family's brush to build houses.
The biggest one's for us.
The day before he left.
We went to a movie with the postman
who often delivers letters to us.
Enclosed are the ticket stubs.
The postman had his service
in Quemoy, too.
He told me lots of stories
about Quemoy.
When there's no letter from you,
he tells me probably the fog
keeps the planes from flying.
Do you see the label enclosed?
It's from an underwear brand called
"Apple"
I thought a long time before buying it.
So expensive, what a waste!
Ding came to Taipei to work
after middle school.
He works with Hsiung's little brother
I saw him once
387 more days before you're discharged
It takes a long time
to count.
Hurry up with the table.
Sergeant Li, hurry with the buns.
Please sit.
Do you speak Mandarin?
Cantonese? Are you Cantonese?
Is this your child?
The child.
He's my child.
Cigarette.
Thank you.
Good cigarettes.
How old is he?
How old is your child?
Five.
Treat here as your home.
No problem.
Once your boat is fixed,
you can go home.
Hot buns.
Come on, fresh from the steamer.
Hot buns.
Come on, eat.
Come on.
Come on, child.
There's poison in these buns.
What did you say?
Is there poison?
Come on, how could there be poison?
Poison? I've made buns for 20 years.
If there's poison,
they'd be dead long ago.
You must be joking.
Come on, have one
I'll eat one first
I'll eat one first.
What a joke. Poison!
Don't worry.
Have some.
Have some.
Is this your father?
Huen
few days ago, in the early morning.
We found a mainland fishing boat
off the coast.
On board were a couple
and their father.
Our officer treated them
in our company.
They ate more than 10 buns.
We sent them to the refugee camp
in Liao-luo Bay.
Our officer gave them a tape recorder.
It was as if
we were celebrating a wedding.
We gave them anything we could give.
Soaps, toothpaste, cassette tapes.
I gave them the lighter Dad gave me.
He kept saying thank you.
The day their boat was fixed,
we all went to send them off.
Everyone was quiet
as the boat sailed away
and far away we heard the music
that Tseng Hsien gave them.
A cassette of Liu Wen-cheng's
"Promise".
We stood there
until the boat was out of sight.
Later, I felt like smoking
and I couldn't find my lighter.
I thought of how Dad must have felt
when he gave it to me.
Have you been home lately?
Please bring some money
to Grandpa for me.
Tell him it's from us.
I sent money to my brothers
and sisters last month
and I forgot about Grandpa.
I think he must be angry.
Call for everyone!
How was it?
Same as usual.
When you go, you curse the place.
Which number did you have?
I told you to try no.7
7? No chance.
The line's so long
that you have to wait until tomorrow.
You keep talking about no.7.
Who is she?
Actually, I know her
he used to be a friend's girlfriend.
Don't know what happened, they split.
So she came to Quemoy
to do this kind of work.
Did Wan go, too?
No, he doesn't dare to.
He's saving it all for his Huen.
She hasn't written for two months.
Ran away with someone else long ago.
What a fool.
Ran away with someone else long ago
I know. It's called.
"The gentleman with faith
holds on to his youth"
"No such person at this address".
Dear brother.
Dad and Mom told me
not to write this letter.
But Huen's mother told me to write it.
So I'm writing it
Huen got married to someone else.
Her husband is a postman
I heard it was done
at the public notary.
She wrote home long after it happened.
She wanted to come home to visit.
Her mother wouldn't let them in.
Father said.
The boy's got more "stature" than Wan.
Her mother kept crying.
She kept saying that
she had to talk to you.
Afterwards.
Mom gave Huen a ring.
Said she had prepared it long ago.
When Mom gave it to her,
Huen kept crying.
Brother, Grandpa said it's fate.
You can't force it.
Mom.
Mom.
Grandpa.
Wan, when did you get home?
Today.
Just got back today.
Grandpa's eyelid's been jumping
since morning.
I thought,
maybe Wan's coming home today.
Take a rest.
OK
How much did we plant this year?
Grandpa's getting old.
Before it was no problem planting 5000.
This year
I'm having trouble with only 1000.
They look fine.
What do you mean fine?
It didn't rain before we planted.
After we transplanted.
The typhoon came.
These vines have all been damaged.
The potatoes are more difficult
to look after than ginseng.
Now we have to cut the vines again.
Otherwise
the potatoes will be this small.
Potatoes can only absorb the nutriment
after the vines' been cut.
Then they'll grow well.
Fuck.
The potatoes are more difficult
to look after than ginseng.
Typhoons came early this year.
Came quite a few times
I doubt if they'll yield well.
Bumped into quite a few typhoons.
Fuck.
The potatoes are more difficult
to look after than ginseng
Dust In The Wind.
What's wrong?
I couldn't do the math.
Why don't you ask me before?
Huen.
Your Mom wants you
to bring the rice home.
They're going to show a movie.
How come you're so late?
I missed the train.
When will your father
be out of the hospital?
I don't know.
Dinner time.
Why don't you eat?
Grandpa says if you don't eat.
You'll be hungry, and then you'll die
and if you die,
you can't live with Mom
or Dad.
Be a good boy.
Let Grandpa feed you.
You're not being good.
You have to listen to Grandpa.
When you grow up,
you can go to school.
Be good.
Let Grandpa feed you.
You won't? Let's put some soup in.
It's good with soup.
There's oil in the soup.
Let's try some soup.
What a naughty boy.
Taking all the oil in the soup
and adding it to your own rice
leaving nothing
for your brothers and sisters.
You must pour soup evenly.
Everyone must do it this way.
I told you.
Grandpa feels sorry
whenever your Mom beats you.
When your Mom's not home
you steal MSG in the kitchen.
Eating too much of that stuff
your hair will start falling.
And that's not the worst.
Tooth paste is for brushing teeth.
You even stole toothpaste to eat.
You shouldn't do things like that.
You must be good.
Listen to Grandpa.
Listen closely to Grandpa.
Look, this isn't the ordinary rice.
Grandpa bought this in Taipei
in a fancy restaurant.
Only foreigners were eating there.
This is Western food.
There's an egg in there.
You have to eat it to grow up.
Look at these sticks.
This is not the ordinary rice.
Be a good boy.
Eat it.
Grandpa, is Wan home?
What do you want him for?
I need him to write a letter for me.
Wan.
The auntie next door needs your help
to write a letter.
Please help me write a letter.
OK. Let's go upstairs.
He hasn't sent money home for 3 months.
His father is angry.
Auntie, please slow down
I can't write that fast.
OK
OK
Little brother and sister
need money for food and clothes.
Tell him to send money
when he gets paid.
Grandpa.
Is your foot better?
Much better.
Slowly.
Hello, Grandpa.
Hello.
Medicine change.
Medicine change?
Wait a moment
Ching
Ching.
Someone's here to change the medicine.
Dad, your watch.
School report card.
Dad, I don't feel like
going to senior high.
Then what do you want to do?
I want to go to Taipei and work
I can go to night school if I want.
It's up to you.
If you want to be a cow,
there will always a plow for you.
How much?
27 dollars in all.
How come it costs so much?
3 packs of pills cost 15.
One bottle of stomach medicine is 12.
That makes 27.
Stomach medicine?
Those pills are the ones my husband
took
the day his foot was injured.
What's the stomach medicine for?
You devil!
Ding.
Ding.
Come over here.
You devil!
You won't get away?
You really know how to eat!
If it's not toothpaste, it's MSG.
You even ate stomach medicine!
Your mouth is so itchy.
You should try biting rocks.
Who's he?
He said you wouldn't
be able to pick me up
I told you to wait at the Rear Station.
My Mom said
the Rear Station isn't safe.
She told me to wait on the platform.
My rice sack!
What's in it?
Potatoes.
Give it back!
What do you think you're doing?
You beat me!
Help! You beat me!
Beating up on an old man!
I told you to mix the colors.
This is Huen.
This is Hen-chun.
How do you do?
I'm Huang Chien-ho.
But they all call me Hen-chun.
Wait here
I have to rush to work.
I'll be back after work.
Have you had your meal?
Not yet.
No problem
I'll take her to the back to eat
and then to the front
to see free movies.
Potatoes.
Grandpa said to bring this Quemoy crop
to give to your boss.
Ma'am.
My Grandpa said
these potatoes are for you.
Weren't you supposed
to deliver the lunchbox?
So slow?
Do you know what you're doing?
Have you had your meal?
Not yet.
Go to eat.
Mrs. Lin, your son fainted.
What happened?
He fainted from hunger
during the Physical class.
From hunger?
He didn't bring lunch today.
What happened to your lunchbox?
Thank you teacher,
Would you like some water?
No, thanks. I've got to
go back to school.
Bye.
Where's the lunchbox?
The lunchbox!
How could you miss the lunch box?
Are you sure you know
what you're doing?
Your brain is like a rock.
Drifting all day.
We're already worried
that he's too thin
and you forgot to
deliver his lunchbox!
You forgot to turn off the machine.
Electricity isn't free.
So slow.
Where's the lunchbox?
Give it to me.
How did it turn to this?
What's wrong with you?
You're not afraid
that my son will die?
Sir.
Sir, would you like to eat with us?
Hen-chun, there's someone to see you.
It might be King.
Get the meat for me.
King
Huen.
King.
Have you eaten?
Not yet.
Let me get your bowl
Huen, you're getting prettier
Ying, let me introduce you.
This is Huen.
This is Ying.
You got your job through her.
You full name is?
Kang So-huen.
Come on and eat some rice and eggs.
I made it myself.
Wan, do you know Hsiung
is going into the army?
His boss needs a replacement.
Do you want to go?
1800 per month.
Eat and sleep in the boss's place.
It's more money than now.
But to deliver things all day,
I can't learn anything.
I heard Hsiung say
you'll have more time there.
You can study more.
What's the boss like?
A bandit like Hsiung
stayed there so long,
can't be too bad.
You believe Hsiung?
Liar!
Keep it down!
They're showing a movie out there.
Can they hear us out there?
It might be loud.
King will take you to Ying's shop
I'll pick you up after school
I'll introduce you to your boss.
She's a good person.
What's wrong with her?
I almost forgot
your father brought you a watch.
It's brand new.
It says "World famous watch".
Let me see.
It's Timex
I heard it's very famous and tough.
Let me see.
I can hear it.
It's automatic.
That's right. Automatic
100% waterproof
"100%"...You read English?
Come on. Who can't read "A,B,C"?
100%
It must be very expensive.
Do you know how much it cost?
I don't know.
His father bought it on installment.
Expensive. Over a thousand.
Not cheap.
What's wrong with him?
What's wrong with him?
You talk too much!
Dear sister,
Huen already has a job.
She got it through a seamstress
in King's friend's taylor shop.
It's stable.
Tell her parents not to worry
I've received the watch
Dad asked Huen to bring me.
I wonder how expensive it was.
How much does it cost per month?
Find out discreetly from Mom.
Then write me.
How are you doing at school?
If you have questions,
wait until I come home.
I remember when I was in junior high,
Every important exam
I would borrow Dad's watch.
It was too big
and would fall from my wrist.
So I tied it with a string.
Sir, I'm leaving.
Come and see us
I've deduct two days leave
from last month's salary.
Here is 1220 dollars.
Count it.
I'm leaving, sir.
If you can't find a job, come back
Huen
Huen.
Why haven't you come for so long?
I've been busy
I just finished exams at school.
Have you got used to it?
She cried all night last night.
Because you didn't come to see her.
And her family hasn't been writing.
I quit the job
at the printing factory
Hsiung is taking me
to see his boss today
I don't know if I can get the job.
You quit your job.
What if Hsiung's boss won't hire you?
That's ok
I wanted to quit long ago.
So now I quit.
I would determine to find a new job.
The reason I didn't quit
after being at the printer's
for two years
is that they often print books
so I could read while setting type.
I feel I owe to the boss, though.
He's a good man.
Excuse me
Yang Li-ying, a letter for you.
And one for Kang So-huen. Who's she?
The new girl.
See you later.
Stop crying. You've got a letter.
From whom?
My sister.
Did you tell him, Hsiung?
Yes, I did.
Do you know how to ride a motorcycle?
I can learn.
It's an easy job.
The main thing is making deliveries
and taking care of the shop
when you have time.
Ask Hsiung
if you need to know anything else
I will.
Oh, do you want to
live in the shop or...?
I'll stay with my friends.
That's the third glass.
Do you get homesick?
Come on. That's a lie.
The first month I came,
I would lie in bed thinking.
I wonder what my Mom's doing.
My Dad must be playing cards.
The tears would be
flowing out of my pants.
How could it come out
out of your pants?
Huen, cheers.
Have some. I'm going to the army.
Have some.
Drink.
Let me drink for her.
You've had enough.
Who wants to drink with you?
Forget about him.
He who is drafted is the boss.
Drink.
Good.
Since you drank with him,
you must drink with me.
Let's drink.
Let's drink.
It's a rare occasion
I'll drink to you.
Let's drink.
Cheers
cheers
Huen...
Hsiung, what are your thoughts
on being drafted?
What thoughts could I have?
Two years go by quickly, and then...
Get married. Have children.
You'll have to
introduce someone to me then.
Aren't you going for three years?
I was so unlucky
that I drew the three-year draw.
You'll get used to it.
No harm in extra training.
Let's sing.
As the wind breezes tonight
I dream of a full moon.
I can't sing no more.
Let's try another.
Tonight is windy
and rainy again in a strange city.
Street light reflects the raindrops.
It makes me sad.
Young men don't know.
Where to go.
Drifting ten thousand miles.
Lonely in the rainy harbor night.
Drink.
What good food are you bringing back?
What happened to your hand?
Nothing. I got careless with an iron.
An iron?
People iron clothes.
You iron your hand.
Did your hand get flattened?
No. I was careless.
Oh, you were careless.
How can you go home like this?
Your Mom will worry to death
if she sees this.
Does it still hurt?
I'm not going home.
Take the money back for me.
How much?
500 will be enough.
Save 250 for medicine
500 isn't enough.
That's ok. I have 1200 to bring home
I can give 300 to you.
To see a doctor costs a lot in Taipei
I can change medicine myself.
Yourself?
You want your hand to rot?
A girl, drinking with men!
What do you think of this?
I painted it myself.
Not bad, eh?
I painted it myself.
This shirt is really too plain.
Take it off
and I'll make it real pretty
I'll paint...
I'll paint a peacock for you.
Ok. Paint it.
Ok.
But you have to take it off.
Paint it.
Ok
Huen.
Hurry.
You want to buy gifts, don't you?
Hurry. I have deliveries to make.
Ok, I'll be right there.
This one's not bad.
This one?
Too gaudy.
The ring is no good.
Take a look at this pair.
Not bad.
Father's, mother's.
Is this yours?
My sister's.
Why buy so many?
I don't know what to buy.
My motorcycle!
Did you leave it here?
This one?
Look out over there.
Tell me if anyone's coming.
Don't.
Hurry!
Hurry! Don't...
They don't care if we die,
why do we care for them?
Hurry.
Wan, don't do this.
Don't.
Please don't.
You go home first
I'm not going home.
Where are you going?
How can I go home?
Don't be this way.
You must be thinking that
I caused you the trouble, right?
Didn't I give you
all my money to pay it back?
I'll pay you back.
I don't want you to pay me back.
Let's go, little brother...
Have a seat.
There are no more trains
and your clothes are wet.
Why not spend the night here.
Thank you.
Take care of him.
Let him sleep in Liu's bed.
Yes, sir.
Let's go.
Wu-hsiung.
Wu-hsiung.
Dad...
Dad...
Dad...
When he was born.
He was plump and white.
After he's 1 year old
the neighbors all said he's cute.
But after he turned to 3
he started feeling sick a lot
and had to see
the western doctors a lot.
That didn't help
so we changed
to a Chinese doctor.
His stomach kept growing
while his hands
and legs kept shrinking.
Remembered that we agreed.
After I adopted you
you were so obedient
and followed our family creed.
You swore
in front of our ancestors that
if your first child is a boy
you will let him take my name
to succeed our ancestors
and continue the tradition.
You swore in front of our ancestors.
Wan is already 4 years old now.
You didn't keep your promise.
Our ancestors in heaven will say.
Why aren't you going by the agreement?
So the boy has gotten this way.
Maybe that's why.
There's a saying goes:
Depend on people, and also on God.
You often carry him to see the doctors
and carry him back in the midnight.
He's not an adult.
He must have been traumatized.
There's no other explanation.
The best way to do
is to get a shaman
for an exorcism
to protect our boy
so he'll get well soon.
We'll select a day
to change the boy's surname
before our ancestors.
This will please our ancestors.
They will bless you to make more money
and protect the boy.
That's the right thing to do.
It's Huen. Come in.
Where's Wan?
Bronchitis.
He's been in bed for 3 days
I told him to see a doctor.
He said it's too expensive
and just took some medicine.
What calculation.
The medicine money
costs more than seeing a doctor
I took him to take a penicillin shot.
He vomited all over my back.
Wan, Huen is here.
Don't get up.
What happened?
Wan, you're up.
Are you hungry?
Don't come out. Lie down.
Hurry back to bed.
Mom, I'm home.
Wan is home.
They let you out on Ghost day?
We haven't prayed yet
Ching.
Wan is home.
We can begin to pray now.
Ok.
Grandpa.
What else is there?
Everyone is so busy,
and you're reading books?
As if you're really so diligent.
Ghost money
9000 dollars isn't bad.
But you have to work 30 days a month
to earn that much
man is not made of steel.
We're not like them,
sitting in the air-conditioned room
reading newspapers
and answering phone calls.
Shit.
The mine owner said
that's what the TV said.
But if they didn't say it,
how could the TV report said so?
No use in fighting with them.
What do you mean?
Then let them do as they said on TV.
Raise our salary.
Otherwise,
let's agree not to enter the pits.
Didn't our representative
discuss with them yesterday?
What use is the representative?
All the managers are his relatives.
His Grandpa, uncle, brothers-in-law.
And these bastards talking.
The boss is tough.
He said, "If you don't want to
enter the pits, don't enter then"
"Let everyone at home
wait for your payment..."
How come you're so skinny?
We just had the final exams at school.
If only your father
is as diligent as you.
Don't know what was said
on TV a few months ago.
Everybody's been restless since.
They're all crazy.
A whole group doesn't work.
Just fooling around
outside the pit all day.
You still have to eat everyday.
Where are you going?
Nowhere. To see the movie.
You act up when I scold you.
You're not going to Taipei tomorrow.
Stay at home and be a coal miner
like your father.
Forgot about the night school.
It's a waste of money.
Riding a motorcycle without a license
SO many injuries.
Other folks' kids are making money
in Taipei.
Unlike you!
What happened?
You had a motorcycle accident?
What else could I say?
I couldn't say I was beaten by my boss
with a steel bar.
It hurts.
I told you long ago
to quit.
The pay is lousy.
Your boss went too far.
Let's help him
find a new job
I'll ask my boss
I have been beaten all the time.
He treats me like an animal.
What happened?
You didn't pay the electric bills
27 dollars this month.
There's no power.
What was that?
What happened?
Dad, why are you setting firecrackers?
I didn't mean to.
It was pitch black.
I tried to find a half-used candle
I lit it but it exploded.
Scared me to death.
Fuck! I didn't know what happened.
That was a firecracker
I guess so.
It's short, like a half-used candle.
Scared me to death.
Good thing you're OK.
Took a firecracker for a candle.
Come on.
It's too big.
Let's look at it over here.
It's a little big.
It's too big.
Take it off. I'll alter it.
It's not that easy.
Oh.
Yesterday
when they changed my medicine,
I saw this part of my finger was gone.
The end of the finger.
It was reddish
like a sausage
that had been bitten by a cat.
Reddish.
Yesterday I had a dream.
It was terrifying.
Billboards were falling from the sky
I couldn't escape.
Got hit all over. Terrifying.
When I woke up,
I was sweating all over.
My whole body was wet
Huen.
How come you put so much salt
in the porridge?
What's the matter?
I received my draft notice.
Your draft notice!
How can I go to the army
with a finger like this.
In those days,
when the draft notice came,
the whole family would cry together.
It was natural.
In those days,
being drafted is like being executed.
Take this street for instance.
More than 30 people went to the army,
only 4 came back.
One of the 4 went crazy.
He lives in the end of the street.
Maybe my ancestors protected me.
Boat capsized, didn't die.
Surrounded for 6 months
in the jungle, didn't die.
Didn't starve to death.
There was nothing to eat.
"The lucky ones ate raincoats,
the unlucky ones ate stones".
There was a terrible disease
in the jungle.
An intestinal disease.
You die in a few days if you get it.
There wasn't any special medicine
in those days.
There wasn't any magic pills.
All you could do was watch them die.
We were all from Taiwan.
We couldn't bring their bodies home.
So we figured out a way.
We cut off their hands
and burned the meat off
and stuck the bones behind our backs.
I stuck a lot of bones behind my back
I wasn't scared,
didn't know I was supposed to.
Those days...
Now you have it easy in the army.
Eat well, wear good clothes,
like going to school.
This is just something
to wish you a good voyage.
Strive for your country.
This is this month's salary.
I only worked 12 days.
That's alright.
If we're good enough for you,
come and look me up
after you're discharged.
Your clothes will be ready soon.
Wait a moment.
There's a fire across the street.
You didn't try the college exams?
I ran into your elementary school
teacher Mr. Lin the other day.
Remember? He used to come over a lot.
He told me that you must try
to go to middle school.
He appreciates you a lot.
He told me that
if circumstances permitted,
We have to keep you in school.
It seems that for three generations
there's been no fortune
for study in this family.
Not to mention your Grandpa.
When I graduated from public school
Taiwan was just returned
to the mainland China
Japanese syllables changed to Chinese.
Everything went to waste.
Drink!
Wu-hsiung.
Wu-hsiung.
Hurry up! Everyone's waiting.
You're the last
I'll be right there.
Uncle, have you eaten yet?
Yes, have you?
Yes.
Come in.
Hurry.
Are they all there?
So I can't outdrink you,
I'm still stronger than you.
I'm going to move this rock.
What about you?
I'll move this one.
Too old!
You must concede.
I'm old?
I don't believe this rock has roots
I'm going to move it.
Enough! Move the rocks away!
You're blocking the road.
Every time they're drunk,
they fight with the rocks.
Concede! Face it, you're too old!
Mom, Dad's moving rocks again.
What can you do?
Your son's going into the army
tomorrow.
You have no sense of responsibility
I can't figure it out.
What can you do?
Kids today are such trouble.
They say they want black shoes.
Buy them black shoes
and they won't wear them.
Ask them why.
Say they don't fit school regulations.
So what, I'll wear them myself.
This is for you.
Your father bought it last night.
Take care of yourself.
Grandpa,
why are you setting firecrackers?
My grandson Wan is going into the army.
Congratulations!
Grandpa,
your grandson is going into the army?
Yes, Wan is going into the army.
Lei Kuo-wei.
Wang Ti-wen.
Wu Tsai-wei.
Kao Ming-shan.
Not present. I'll collect for him.
Sun Kuo-liang.
Tseng Hsien.
Hsieh Wen-yuan.
From Huen?
Ming Chin-chen.
Yes.
Tseng Hsien
(sounds like "needles and thread")
Ling Hung-ping
Yang Wen-hua.
Hsieh Wen-yuan.
Wan.
Wu Tsai-wei.
Hsieh Wen-yuan.
You take up all the airplane space.
Parents disown me,
brothers are heartless.
Wife and concubine have all run away.
Hsieh Wen-yuan.
So many?
Ming Chin-chen.
A package!
Wan.
Hen-chun went back to the south.
Someone introduced him a girl.
She's nice to him.
Hen-chun says he must marry her.
His girlfriend doesn't mind
he's not drafted.
He's got construction vehicle license.
He says there're construction works
everywhere down south.
He can earn more money
by driving the construction vehicle.
He says he'll sell
his family's brush to build houses.
The biggest one's for us.
The day before he left.
We went to a movie with the postman
who often delivers letters to us.
Enclosed are the ticket stubs.
The postman had his service
in Quemoy, too.
He told me lots of stories
about Quemoy.
When there's no letter from you,
he tells me probably the fog
keeps the planes from flying.
Do you see the label enclosed?
It's from an underwear brand called
"Apple"
I thought a long time before buying it.
So expensive, what a waste!
Ding came to Taipei to work
after middle school.
He works with Hsiung's little brother
I saw him once
387 more days before you're discharged
It takes a long time
to count.
Hurry up with the table.
Sergeant Li, hurry with the buns.
Please sit.
Do you speak Mandarin?
Cantonese? Are you Cantonese?
Is this your child?
The child.
He's my child.
Cigarette.
Thank you.
Good cigarettes.
How old is he?
How old is your child?
Five.
Treat here as your home.
No problem.
Once your boat is fixed,
you can go home.
Hot buns.
Come on, fresh from the steamer.
Hot buns.
Come on, eat.
Come on.
Come on, child.
There's poison in these buns.
What did you say?
Is there poison?
Come on, how could there be poison?
Poison? I've made buns for 20 years.
If there's poison,
they'd be dead long ago.
You must be joking.
Come on, have one
I'll eat one first
I'll eat one first.
What a joke. Poison!
Don't worry.
Have some.
Have some.
Is this your father?
Huen
few days ago, in the early morning.
We found a mainland fishing boat
off the coast.
On board were a couple
and their father.
Our officer treated them
in our company.
They ate more than 10 buns.
We sent them to the refugee camp
in Liao-luo Bay.
Our officer gave them a tape recorder.
It was as if
we were celebrating a wedding.
We gave them anything we could give.
Soaps, toothpaste, cassette tapes.
I gave them the lighter Dad gave me.
He kept saying thank you.
The day their boat was fixed,
we all went to send them off.
Everyone was quiet
as the boat sailed away
and far away we heard the music
that Tseng Hsien gave them.
A cassette of Liu Wen-cheng's
"Promise".
We stood there
until the boat was out of sight.
Later, I felt like smoking
and I couldn't find my lighter.
I thought of how Dad must have felt
when he gave it to me.
Have you been home lately?
Please bring some money
to Grandpa for me.
Tell him it's from us.
I sent money to my brothers
and sisters last month
and I forgot about Grandpa.
I think he must be angry.
Call for everyone!
How was it?
Same as usual.
When you go, you curse the place.
Which number did you have?
I told you to try no.7
7? No chance.
The line's so long
that you have to wait until tomorrow.
You keep talking about no.7.
Who is she?
Actually, I know her
he used to be a friend's girlfriend.
Don't know what happened, they split.
So she came to Quemoy
to do this kind of work.
Did Wan go, too?
No, he doesn't dare to.
He's saving it all for his Huen.
She hasn't written for two months.
Ran away with someone else long ago.
What a fool.
Ran away with someone else long ago
I know. It's called.
"The gentleman with faith
holds on to his youth"
"No such person at this address".
Dear brother.
Dad and Mom told me
not to write this letter.
But Huen's mother told me to write it.
So I'm writing it
Huen got married to someone else.
Her husband is a postman
I heard it was done
at the public notary.
She wrote home long after it happened.
She wanted to come home to visit.
Her mother wouldn't let them in.
Father said.
The boy's got more "stature" than Wan.
Her mother kept crying.
She kept saying that
she had to talk to you.
Afterwards.
Mom gave Huen a ring.
Said she had prepared it long ago.
When Mom gave it to her,
Huen kept crying.
Brother, Grandpa said it's fate.
You can't force it.
Mom.
Mom.
Grandpa.
Wan, when did you get home?
Today.
Just got back today.
Grandpa's eyelid's been jumping
since morning.
I thought,
maybe Wan's coming home today.
Take a rest.
OK
How much did we plant this year?
Grandpa's getting old.
Before it was no problem planting 5000.
This year
I'm having trouble with only 1000.
They look fine.
What do you mean fine?
It didn't rain before we planted.
After we transplanted.
The typhoon came.
These vines have all been damaged.
The potatoes are more difficult
to look after than ginseng.
Now we have to cut the vines again.
Otherwise
the potatoes will be this small.
Potatoes can only absorb the nutriment
after the vines' been cut.
Then they'll grow well.
Fuck.
The potatoes are more difficult
to look after than ginseng.
Typhoons came early this year.
Came quite a few times
I doubt if they'll yield well.
Bumped into quite a few typhoons.
Fuck.
The potatoes are more difficult
to look after than ginseng