Kong Xiu (2022) Movie Script

1
Mum.
You really want me to get married?
Xiu.
Look at your cousin.
She's only your age
but with a baby in tow.
But I'm still...
yet to turn nineteen.
You've been legal since eighteen.
"What more can a star-aligned
man ask for?"
"Crouching in his ditch,
head against a wall;"
What does 'star-aligned' mean?
By 'star-aligned' he meant that
he had all his lucky stars aligned.
That he had it all going for him.
It's an old superstition
only Mr. Lu Xun was writing it
as an antonym
for his own star-crossed, ill-fated life.
He had nothing going for him.
- You get it?
- Understood.
"Hiding under a torn hat,
roaming the streets"
"Drifting on a leaking boat,
loaded with wine;"
"Eyebrows raised like cold blades,
against a thousand foes"
"Head bowed as a meek cow,
afront a ruthless brat."
Xiu, your teacher speaks highly
of your writing
that you are always first in class.
Dad will give you a good book
a book from Beijing
it was a gift from Uncle Wang.
Okay!
- Dad!
- Sister.
Don't go.
What happened?
Sister.
Are you okay?
Jun...
Take good care of mother.
Today is a big day
for Comrade Liu Hanzhang and Kong Xiu.
We praise the Communist Party
we thank Chairman Mao!
Comrades, let's sing!
The East is red
The Sun is rising
Ready, and sing!
The East is red
The Sun is rising
From China comes Mao Zedong
He seeks happiness for his people
Hurrah
He is the Saviour of us all!
Great!
Next up,
we will have the bride and groom recite
from our Great Leader Chairman
Mao's quotes!
Let's begin!
We are people of ironclad will
fearless of sacrifice!
We overcome all hardships
to claim our victory!
We are people of ironclad will
fearless of sacrifice!
We overcome all hardships
to claim our victory!
We are people of ironclad will
fearless of sacrifice!
We overcome all hardships
To claim our victory!
Wonderful!
Let us bow to our Great Leader
Chairman Mao! Bow!
Now bow to your parents!
Bow to each other!
Great!
Congratulations, Comrade Kong!
We are waiting to share
your wedding candies!
Comrade Kong, candies for us!
We want candies!
Comrade Kong!
Comrade Kong, you got candies
for us too?
Yes!
Candies for everyone!
Candies for all!
- Here.
- Thank you!
- For you.
- Thank you, Comrade Kong!
- That's for you.
- Thank you, Comrade Kong!
- It's the White Rabbit milk candy!
- Here.
Thank you, Comrade Kong!
I love the White Rabbit!
Look at the bridegroom!
He is all so slouchy!
He's still not getting the hang of it!
Comrade Liu, you obviously don't know
what you are doing!
Why don't we all
give him some lessons?
Teach him!
First you smile and flirt
then grab her by her skirt
kiss onto the bed you sit
push her down, and deed is done!
Luo Hao!
This Bourgeois bad taste of yours
is to be denounced!
Your frivolous tone
will get you snatched!
Comrades! Today, we are holding
this commendation meeting
as our nation's great
revolutionary spirit is blossoming!
The revolutionary passion of our workers
are reaching new heights!
Let me firstly verbally endorse some of
you so we all keep up our good work!
Qiao Shengshui.
Zhao Yucheng.
Li Ruifen.
Kong Xiu.
Li Qiang.
Liu Dazhuang.
Look, the newlywed is rushing home!
It's enough,
you'll burn the seeds.
Without enough temperature
the moisture inside can't dry out
then the seeds won't grow.
For wheat, the moisture composition
is safe at 14%. It's far from done.
You sound so professional.
Hanzhang,
what did you study at college?
Textile machinery.
You know your Textile Dyeing factory.
I know those machines you have,
they are all Soviet imports.
If I had made it to graduation
I could well have been dispatched
to your factory.
Wouldn't that be nice,
we would have been colleagues.
A technician was dispatched to our unit
they also sent some engineers.
They are spared from our
kind of hard labour.
Plenty of technicians out there,
they no longer need ones like me.
Hanzhang!
Rise and shine!
Hanzhang.
Hanzhang.
What are you, useless?
You got smoke all over the place.
Hanzhang, get up and eat!
Don't rush him out of bed,
the boy needs more sleep!
Here.
- Dong, bring the dish to the table.
- Okay.
Careful, it's hot.
Dong. Xue.
Daddy, why are you back so late?
Is home just a canteen for you?
You're only ever back
on the dinner hour.
I went to Xinhua Bookshop,
got a book on agricultural
techniques.
The team wants me
as agricultural technician.
I must study it all from the beginning.
Remember to take your
medicine afterwards.
What's wrong, Dong?
He caught a cold.
Come, Xue!
Mother asked me to ask you
why didn't you go home to the village?
Sundays in the village ends up being more
work than work. All those chores.
Isn't that a wife's duty?
I am a worker.
Our country grants us
one day off per week.
I'd rather prioritize
raising our own kids.
I save up for your cigarette
money too.
Wear a condom!
I've got night shift tonight.
Take care of the children.
I left cigarette money on the table.
When seeding, we prioritize four things.
Fertilizing, depth, density
and width between the rows.
Fertilizers come before the seed.
Pour your good old
horse, pig, cow manure all in there!
We seed three to five
centimetres in depth not too deep
not too dense
not too sparse either.
They need to be evenly spaced.
Keep the distance between rows consistent
to ensure that the seeds can breathe.
Team Leader...
That's all I have for now.
Hooray for the college student!
The seeds Hanzhang plants
are simply better than Old Liu's!
- Surely! Trust the science!
- Yes!
Mother, it tastes bland.
Look at you, how demanding.
Try ask that wife of yours to cook.
You've got a wife right?
Living like a stag,
dumping your laundry on me,
cooking your meals for you...
- She is a worker.
- What's so precious about workers?
She's still your wife.
She should be cooking your meals.
Get over it,
you've got much to say.
Eat up.
You're pregnant again.
Keeping the baby?
You can't keep doing this.
Two abortions in one year
cannot be good for you.
Comrade Kong!
Comrade Kong?
Are you okay?
Let's get up.
The kindergarten! An accident over
at the kindergarten! The boiler exploded!
Dong! Are you okay?
Dong, let mum see you!
Where is your sister?
Where is Xue?
Xue!
Are you alright? You are okay!
Let's go!
- What is your name, girl?
- Xue.
Good, let me ask you a question.
Can you answer me if you can hear me?
Let's block your ear on one side.
- Xue, how old are you?
- Three and half.
Very good!
Now, block the other side.
Hold tight.
Xue, how old are you?
Xue, how old are you?
Let me check.
The child has perforated eardrum.
She will need hearing aids.
- Is there no other cure?
- There is nothing we can do now.
She'll get used to the hearing aids.
Let me tell you something,
it was no boiler that exploded,
it was the violent riots
between Red Guard fractions.
A hand grenade fell inside
the kindergarten a kid picked it up.
That's what exploded.
Xue.
Xue.
I want that!
- What do you want to eat, Xue?
- Peanuts.
Out of the way, sit on the bed.
Come, give it to me.
Look, more goodies in Daddy's bag.
- Xue.
- Sweet jujube!
Dong!
It's for your sister.
Good?
Dong, do you prefer mum's dormitory
or would you prefer home?
I prefer Mum.
Wear a condom if you want it!
I come home just once a week
and I have to beg you for it?
What kind of husband and wife are we?
My mother was right.
I'm no different than a stag!
Your mother, your mother...
What about me? The children?
Look at your daughter!
My mother said
I'd be better off divorced.
Do it!
You better think it through!
Where is my cigarette money?
There are none.
I'm saving up for Xue's hearing aids.
Xiu...
Mother said that
if you quit your job
go back to the village
keep up the house chores
then we'll carry on together.
Liu Hanzhang and Kong Xiu.
Are you both willing to proceed
with the divorce?
I'm unwilling but my mother
is displeased with her.
A wife, out there working all day...
Leaving the livestock
and chores to Mother.
Your mother?
My mother said
'Better a stag than an invisible wife'.
She either quit her job
or it's a divorce.
What factory are you at?
Textile Dyeing factory.
I'm not quitting my work.
I'm doing fine at the factory.
They are forcing me to go to the village.
I'm not going back.
Since I married him,
I did not spend a cent from his family.
However exhausted I was
every Sunday
I was never spared from farm chores.
I married him,
bore his children.
He did not take care of them
his parents didn't care either.
My children were with me
staying at the women
worker's dormitory.
Kids go to kindergarten there,
they are still young
they get sick easily.
He does not care enough about them.
Look at you, man.
Why don't you take good care
of your wife and children?
Now your mother tells you to get
a divorce, who do you live with?
Your wife or your mother?
I mainly live with my father,
my mother, and my sister.
My parents suffered a great
deal raising me up.
I'm the only son.
Sister paid for my college tuition.
I went only for one year
until the new movement began
Higher Education Reform happened
colleges closed.
I was sent down
back to the village farm.
I, a college student can be made
a farmer why can't she do it?
Why can't you take care of the children
and let your wife go to work?
My sister has four more children.
My mother is old
she can't take care of all these kids.
Let's proceed.
Both children stay with me.
My mother said
the boy is offspring to the Liu family.
I need the boy.
- I must take Dong back to the village.
- No way.
It's decided,
both kids are mine.
Comrade Kong Xiu,
you are only in your twenties.
How are you going to raise
two children alone?
I've got one on.
I will send Dong over to you later.
This month's daycare is already paid for.
Your cigarette money.
Mum,
no more kindergarten for me?
I want to stay with you forever.
Are you in labour?
Hold on...
Hang in there, Comrade Kong!
Hurry! Help!
- What's the matter?
- Comrade Kong is in labour! What to do?
Let's go! To the hospital!
Hurry!
Dazhuang!
Find the manager, ask for a car!
Hurry!
The mother is in danger.
Where is the next of kin?
Doctor, her husband is away for work.
He can't come?
Who is in charge then?
Are we to save the mother or the child?
Save them both!
Thank you, Doctor!
Drive safe.
Two little tigers
Run very fast
One has no ears
One has no tail
Very weird
Hello, son!
Daddy is back!
I missed you so much!
Come, give daddy a hug!
Daddy's big hug!
Come!
Bump our heads!
Look at him,
our boy has my eyes.
You've been gone for a year.
I suffered so much,
I almost died.
Not your first time giving birth though,
what's the big deal?
Let's go to mummy!
Let's give our boy a proper name.
Xue, bring a piece of coal.
Here!
Has her name been changed?
She's not changing her name.
Then she can't enter Yang's house!
Xue?
Xue!
Xue?
Xue.
I don't want his surname.
He doesn't like me.
Xue,
he is your father now.
It's okay, baby, Mummy is here.
Sleep baby, sleep.
- Class begins.
- Greetings, teacher!
Greetings, students!
Sit.
I am Wang, your new teacher.
You can call me Ms. Wang.
Today we are going to learn
the first of 'Two Fables'
'The Farmer and the Snake'.
I will call the roll before we start
so I get to know everyone.
- Yan Jihong.
- Present!
Sit please.
- Chen Xuejun.
- Present!
Sit please.
- Li Gang.
- Present!
Sit please.
-Xiang Ronghua
-Present.
Sit please.
Yang Xue
Yang Xue?
- Is she here?
- Present.
Good boy!
Aren't you a good boy?
Here, come to Mummy.
- Come to Mummy.
- Ups-a-daisy!
What do you want to eat?
Flatbread.
Here is a bread!
Kong Xiu.
Talking about expectations for food,
your cooking is substandard.
When I was in the army,
I cooked for the whole company,
everyone praised my cooking.
My chow hall cooking
was even better than this home meal.
Forget about your hasbeens,
you were different even a year ago.
You were nice to Xue,
that's why I married you.
If you dislike my cooking,
you can cook.
Her eyes are less like yours now.
Look at our baby,
he looks just like me!
I don't think so.
- Say that again?
- I don't think so.
- I dare you say that again!
- What are you doing?
I dare you say that!
Eat up.
It's nothing.
Now, there are two giant mountains
over the head of us Chinese people.
One is Imperialism
one is Feudalism.
The Chinese Communist Party
is long determined
to remove these two giant mountains!
We must persist!
We must continue to work hard!
We will impress God!
This God is no other than
we the people of all China!
United are we the people
together, we will flatten these two
mountains! No obstacles can stop us!
We must persist!
We must keep working!
We will impress God!
This God is no other than
we the people of all China!
United are we the people
together, we will flatten
these two mountains!
No obstacles can stop us!
What wisdom of our Great
Leader Chairman Mao!
This season
our unit came first again!
Manager Feng over at Unit 3
Is even embarrassed to bump into me!
What's on your neck?
That's a question for her bed!
Don't laugh!
We are dedicated workers.
We obey rules!
No matter at the factory
or at home.
The manager said don't.
What's your problem?
Why do you need the manager's approval?
So what?
You are my wife, I do whatever I want!
It's none of his business!
Quit pretending!
I know you want more.
Divorce me if you want!
Mummy is here.
You and your kids, all hostile to me!
I'm leaving tomorrow!
Comrade Kong!
Your machine is malfunctioning!
- Who is the technician on duty?
- Dazhuang, but he called in sick.
What to do now?
Try Comrade Wu,
he is on duty today.
Comrade Wu, the machine broke.
Could you please take a look?
What are you reading?
What's there to hide?
'How the Steel Was Tempered.'
You are learning about steelmaking?
This is a Soviet novel.
By steel, it means a person's
ironclad will.
Is it a pleasant read?
It's really a... a love story.
Please take a look at the machines.
Don't be too sad.
Jun.
You've got a life ahead of you.
Sister...
I am not that sad.
Cheng was nice to me
but we were arranged by the Party.
Sister,
we were never much
of a husband and wife.
Jun...
It's all over.
Look ahead, you are still young.
Xue, come eat candy!
Xue,
is your new daddy nice to you?
No. He is mean to Mummy
and he hates me.
Aunt, I want to live with you here.
Xue!
We get power cuts here all the time.
I never know how to fix this.
I can ask Comrade Wu at the factory
to help you fix it tomorrow.
Sure.
Xue, sure you can live here,
with aunt.
Is Comrade Kong Xiu home?
Hi.
- What happened to him?
- Let's talk inside.
Yang had this problem
from his work site long ago.
This time he got further injured.
We have been assigned many tasks
and too few people to care for him.
Take him to the doctors,
we'll pay the medical bills.
What happened, happened.
Don't be too hard on yourself. Let us
know if there is anything we can do.
Alright.
I will get going.
Coming.
Is this the home of Comrade Kong Jun?
Yes. You are?
I am a colleague of Kong Xiu's
Wu Beichen.
I remember. My sister had asked you
to fix our power switch here, right?
- Yes.
- Come in, please.
This is my sister's daughter, Xue.
Xue, I heard about you from your mother.
- Xue, say hi to Uncle Wu.
- Hi, Uncle Wu.
Hello, Xue.
- Please sit, I will get tea.
- No need.
- Where is the main switch?
- Here.
Here.
- Two pills, three times a day.
- What's the point?
Drink these herbs.
Careful.
It's damn hot!
Why are you so damn incompetent?
This stuff is way too bitter!
You trying to poison me?
Kill me so you can marry another?
He...
He beat you again?
Why are you accepting this?
Why don't you get a divorce?
He is sick.
He's very sick.
Divorce, how?
Xue.
Bao?
Yang Xue.
Now that your surname is Yang.
You gotta have manners.
Don't make that sound when you eat.
When is she leaving?
Xue,
I'm taking your father to acupuncture
soon. Take care of your little brother.
I'll take you to aunt when I get back.
- Bao?
- I have a runny nose.
Let's give it a wipe.
Four fingers make three inches.
Three inches under Xiyan joint
is Zusanli joint.
Here is the proper way
to handle the needle
hold with your index and
middle finger and thumb.
Lift with the middle finger.
Find the acupuncture joint,
press down swiftly.
One factory turns into three!
That is our great blueprint!
Let's salute our leadership
with overproduction!
- Can we do this?
- Yes!
We can!
I hear on the radio
that your factory is doing this big
production boost. It's a good campaign.
It's all fluff
a pack of lies.
Why do you mean?
Hard to explain,
the textile products may
look the same
but the colour fades after a wash
or two.
What cute little feet!
Bao!
Eggs for you!
We are holding this meeting
for two things.
Firstly, we must acknowledge
that our factory's production boost
is met with outstanding success!
Thank you all for your hard work!
However
there are some people out there
who are backstabbing us
smearing our revolutionary campaign!
If it wasn't her peasant family history
that saved her life
she'd been prosecuted
as a counter-revolutionary!
Remember this!
Don't ever slander!
Not even in bed at night!
Wu from your factory union
came to visit me today.
He's a kind fellow.
You told him what I told you.
What?
The campaign.
Why?
What did I say wrong?
I'm entitled to check on you.
Leave me alone.
Wait.
Wait, everyone.
We have a problem.
No one leaves.
We have defective stock.
The manager is coming to investigate.
The five of you
are operators on these export
production lines.
Now we have defective stock.
Be honest. Who's fault is it?
This much defective stock
is a big deal!
Whoever it is
is due for a denunciation rally.
One bun, half a pound of flatbread.
Xiu, come and see, we have new stock!
A fried egg for you.
Here.
You've been slack at home
and now trouble at work?
Big trouble!
Don't you hit Mummy!
Back off!
Let go!
Xue, let go.
My sister is away for two days
can Xue stay here?
Just for two days.
I beg you.
Come in.
Sir, I found the problem.
It's Li Qiang's machine
that has oil leaks.
It was not Kong Xiu.
Keep it quiet.
- Why?
- Go back to work.
Go on.
Where is Xue?
I'm asking you, where did she go?
Go ask her real father.
Did you kick her out?
Get out!
Xue!
Xue?
Xue?
Xue?
Xue?
Xue?
Xue?
Xue?
Xue, you there?
Xue?
Xue?
Dong?
Dong?
Let's separate.
I know you hate me.
You took care of me
all these years
in order to leave me.
- Sister, do you remember Li Wanqin?
- Who?
My junior classmate
who went to the pickles factory.
- What about her?
- She made it into the university!
Really?
What a surprise, right?
It's a surprise.
I want to go to the university too.
I wish I can get in.
You should take an exam.
Xue, come.
Aunt.
It's your birthday today,
let aunt give you a present.
You are a big girl now.
Thank you, aunt.
Where is Bao?
He went to this friend's place.
It's pretty.
- Hello...
- Comrade Wu.
Here you are.
Birthday noodles.
My family's conviction was rehabilitated.
They gave back things they confiscated.
A radio.
It's a gift for you.
- This is too much. Too much of a gift.
- It's no problem.
I know this book.
'Grimms' Fairy Tales.'
I read this when I was young.
Comrade Wu, why don't you try your luck
at the university exam?
Forget about it.
I'm dated.
I have another dream.
Xue, this book is for you.
This was given to me
by your grandpa when I was ten.
Because he always heard from the teachers
that I was a top writer.
Why don't you... keep writing?
Write novels.
Me, writing novels?
I barely graduated middle school.
So what?
You can still try.
If by life you were deceived
don't be dismal don't be wild!
Let's go and see!
Be mild;
merry days will come, believe.
Heart is living in tomorrow;
Present is dejected here;
In a moment passes sorrow;
That which passes Will be dear.
I'll be next.
'Les Confessions',
by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
I have begun on a work
which is without precedent
whose accomplishments
will have no imitator.
I propose to set before my fellow mortals
a man in all the truth of nature;
and this man shall be myself.
I have studied mankind and know my heart;
I am not made like any one
I have been acquainted with
perhaps like no one in existence...
Let me play you a good song.
- By who?
- Teresa Teng.
Let me do it.
Listen together.
- Xiaoma.
- Wait right here.
Look at this!
Hasselblad 500.
Which year is this from?
I have no idea. It passed down
from the family. A family heirloom!
How much?
Depends on how badly you want it.
It's nice...
...a nice thing to have.
- Let me think about it.
- Sure.
Kong Xiu...
Can I invite you for a dance?
- I can't dance.
- Not... to worry.
Just do what I do.
Let's go.
Hey, stop dancing! Stop it!
Turn off the music!
Hurry! Shut the lights too!
Kong Xiu,
if you like
we...
we can walk together.
Yes?
Beichen,
I know what you mean.
Aren't we already
walking together?
Beichen,
you have a better future
ahead of you.
I...
I've got a lot to work on.
Kong Xiu,
I must be... frank with you
...about one thing.
I always felt I owe you this.
Do you remember when defective
stock came up at the factory?
That night
I inspected the machines
I never believed that it
was your fault anyway.
I found out that...
it was Li Qiang's machine
that had problems.
I reported to the manager
but...
but he told me to be quiet about it.
I should...
should have told you.
It's the past.
Don't let it trouble you.
Come on!
You get to order anything
you want today.
I want the braised carp!
- I want meatballs in gravy!
- Good!
I'll take the vinegar bok choy.
- We'll get a soup too!
- Thank you.
Mum, why are you so happy today?
What is it?
The Worker's Daily.
Mum's novel got published
on the Worker's Daily!
Really?
Really?
Let me read this!
Right here!
'Comrade Qiao and his Four Apprentices'
Author: Kong Xiu.
Comrade Kong Xiu!
Comrade Kong Xiu!
Wake up, Bao!
Wake up!
Xue!
Wake up, Xue!
Get up, Bao!
Your father is on his last breath.
We'll go see him.
Xue, get up!
I'm not going.
You have his surname.
You must go.
Xue!
Come here.
Say something to your dad.
Dad.
Dad.
I don't know anything about this.
Let me find out right away.
I will report back to you.
Kong Xiu
Is this your novel?
Why didn't you tell us about it?
It's such wonderful news!
You have manuscripts?
Yes.
Can we see your manuscripts?
Why are you digging through my diary?
Be honest with me,
are you dating boys out there?
- I never!
- Never?
Read what you wrote!
I dare you read it?
Alright, I'll read.
Never before had I heard such a song,
a voice from the heart
as if it's from my own.
Liar!
Mum!
You have no power over me!
You never knew love!
This Comrade Kong Xiu
what was her position at the factory?
We had her at our broadcasting station.
She was a Propagandist!
What a great role model.
She well embodies
the spirit of our times!
Yes, of course!
We arm ourselves with knowledge
in order to progress
with our Four Modernizations!
Comrade Kong Xiu
an average factory worker
she authored so many novels.
That is splendid.
I think she is a real pioneer.
Do some research
we can think about
having Comrade Kong Xiu
deliver a speech to our city!
We shall amplify her good spirit
spread it wide and afar!
Yes, Mr. Mayor.
'Motherland, My Dear Motherland.'
Author: Shu Ting.
I am your worn water mill
on the riverside
weaving your tired century-old songs.
I am the coal lamp smudged
on your forehead
lighting your way crawling in
the tunnel of his-story;
I am a strand of dry, withered wheat
I am the beat-up road
the rusted boat, stranded ashore;
My tow rope sunken deeply
into your shoulders.
O Motherland I am poverty
I am sorrow
I am the painful hope
of your generations;
I am the celestial flower
that never fell, onto your earth.
Motherland
I am your sparkling new ideals
who escaped the spider web
of your myths;
I am the ancient lotus bud
covered by your snow
I am your tear-filled dimples;
I am your freshly painted scratch line
I am the roaring pink dawn;
O Motherland
I am one in your billion
I am the totality of your vast land;
That sounds like your mother's voice.
I feed on you, confused
thinking
boiling;
Over my blood and bones
I claim
your riches, your glory
your freedom;
O Motherland
My Dear Motherland.
Hanzhang.
Xiu?
You came alone?
Where is Xue?
She is boarding.
She got into technical school.
Great!
Great!
How many acres are you farming?
From here, to here, all ours.
Your parents passed away early.
Is your wife helping?
She fell ill two years ago,
can't get up ever since.
- Is Dong home?
- No. He's also boarding.
I wrote to him.
He never wrote back.
He's taking the university
exam next year?
- Yeah.
- Can he get in?
Of course he can.
He's a smart kid.
I believe he is.