Swallowtail & Dragonfly (2024) Movie Script
1
Bidding will start at $300,000.
Do I hear $300,000?
Thank you.
Who will offer $400,000?
I have $400,000.
Who will offer five hundred... $500,000?
700,000?
No, we have 700,000.
My goodness, 800,000.
Do I have an offer for $1 million?
$1 million and advance
on the $1 million. Sir?
Going once.
Going twice.
Gone for $1 million to Mr.
Morton's grandson on the right.
Pack the other things
carefully, please. Absolutely.
Absolutely.
Congratulations, sir.
It's a beautiful collection.
And from what I understand
the most extraordinary woman.
She was indeed
Stuart: My
grandfather said Leon Shojo
was the most extraordinary
woman he had ever known.
Xu Yi was full of life,
bright, beautiful and talented.
She dared to break from the
golden chains of her family's
wealth and privilege
to forge her own path
through painting and poetry.
They met in the 1930s
in Shanghai's golden era,
Grandfathers said during World War Two,
without her help, he would never
have made it out of occupied China alive.
She lived in his heart to the day he died.
Ziyi!
Yi-Niang: Ziyi!
Where are you, you naughty girl?
Get back here this instant.
Yi-Niang.
Yi-Niang: Oh, you're a disgrace.
Barefoot and in boy's clothing.
Who would want to marry a brat like you?
Someone who loves me.
Don't backchat me, girl!
Why your mother and father
allow such nonsense like this is beyond me.
But now that I'm second wife,
I'm going to put a stop to this
before you embarrass us all.
Get to the washbasin.
Clean your filthy feet.
You're going to be late to poetry lesson.
Yi-Niang: Lord husband. Lord husband.
Yes. What is it?
That girl of yours is a disgrace.
Unlike our darling boy
Fu who never gives me
a moment's trouble.
That's my heir.
You have to look presentable all the time.
And Confucius say to eat in moderation.
Hm?
Im a
butterfly, Im a butterfly
Im a butterfly
Daughter.
Lord Zhou: I will have quiet.
You see, my lord.
She is high spirited. I grant you.
Yi-Niang: Mark my word, Lord Husband,
you must bind her feet, to
curb her wild, boyish ways.
Or she'll become unmanageable
and unmarriageable.
Yes, well...
I will consider it.
Now if there's nothing else?
What is she complaining about this time?
Ziyi, who else? That girl is too wild.
She is full of life, but also
good, kind hearted and loyal.
Lotus wants to bind
our only daughter's feet.
To calm her down.
But surely times are changing.
I have not decided yet.
Now let's recite
Li Bais poem from memory.
My old
friend bids farewell to me
in the west at Yellow
Crane Tower. Amid Marchs
he goes down to Yangzhou.
The distant image of
his lonely sail disappears in the blue sky.
And all I see,
is the long river
following the edge of sky.
Very good there, Mistress Zhou.
Now let's start with Meng Haoran poetry.
The spring, the...
Spring...
The Spring
dawn I was sleeping sound.
Catching birds...
everywhere?
I had enough for today.
Hey!
Stop it!
Mom!
I did... - What is going on here?
Who dared disrupt my peace and quiet?
I didn't do anything.
She just hit me.
Lord Zhou: You struck my son and heir?
Wicket girl.
B-but, Father, I didn't do anything.
He started it.
This has gone far enough.
You will summon the foot binder.
No, Father, please. No!
Lord Zhou: Silence.
A girl must learn her place.
Lady Zhou: Lord husband,
the foot-binder is here.
It's not too late.
She brought it on herself.
Please.
Yi-Niang: Stop moving, girl.
Let the foot binding do his bidding.
Lady Zhou: Please, please...
Sit still.
Stop.
Art Dealer: This is nice.
But this masterpiece is
from the Tang Dynasty
depicting man's search for Buddha.
Daughter, you must not
eavesdrop on your father.
Oh, no, Mother, I'm trying to see
what I could do to thank him.
You are a dutiful daughter, Ziyi.
But don't listen long.
Art Dealer: Superb collection.
All for a mere cost of...
20 silver sycees.
Hmm. Come...
A cup of tea before we talk business.
Philistines!
Someone has destroyed our masterpiece.
Everyone in here?
Now!
Fu!
Did you do this?
Speak up.
No I... - Take a punishment like a man.
Father... - No!
Fu did not do it.
I did.
Lord Zhou: You did this?
Why would you commit such sacrilege?
You said they were seeking the Buddha
here they have found him.
How dare your presume the...
Lord Zhou: Youre right.
This is better.
I have underestimated you, daughter.
Ziyi: Art became the air
I breathed and gave me a voice.
A woman can only dream of having.
Do you think Father will
like his birthday present?
Its beautiful, how could you not?
Father, here's
my birthday gift for you.
Lord Zhou: Oh, my goodness.
Daughter is...
this a new technique?
It's meant to find the
beauty in life's uncertainties.
Very interesting.
I like it.
I like it.
Oh, thank you, Father.
Don't think that you're going
to get any special treatment
here in the big city, girl.
Girl, you're nothing
more than an uneducated
country bumpkin.
You must mean an educated country bumpkin.
But with your kind encouragement,
not for long.
Mr. Jiang
Lord Zhou, welcome, welcome.
Welcome...
Your fame as the finest art
teacher in China precedes you, Mr. Jiang.
You do me too
great an honor, Lord Zhou.
Of course, I take very
few students each year,
but I would be happy
to review your son's
portfolio to see if he's ready.
Lord Zhou: It is not my son.
I wish you to teach.
It is my daughter.
Uh, I'm sorry, my Lord.
I teach professional artists only.
No dabblers,
no females.
Lord Zhou: Respectfully, Mr.
Jang, it is my intention
that my daughter pursue art professionally.
If you allow my frankness,
she has the aptitude for it.
Be that as it may,
it just isn't done.
Honorable Master Jiang,
you said you only take student
whose work was good enough.
Is it?
Well,
Young lady, this is really your work?
On my honor...
It is all hers.
Are you a hard worker?
Will you take my advice without any
girlish nonsense?
No flirting.
Only art.
Art and more art.
Oh, yes, master Jiang.
Only art, art, and more art.
And I will work harder than
any of your other students.
You will not be sorry, Master Jiang.
I'm sorry already.
Come I will show you
the proper way to do it.
But you must also study poetry.
Hey, meet my daughter, Wei.
She can keep an eye on you.
Ziyi: Everything
was thrilling and new.
My new studies, new ideas,
new best friend Jiang Bi Wei.
The whole world was alive with possibility
and I knew an endless
shining future lay ahead.
If I was willing to work
hard and strive for it.
Art became
that special language that
only my father and I shared.
We were cut from the same canvas he and I
painted by the same brush.
Art filled every waking hour
and gave me my lust for life.
In my grateful heart,
I thanked my parents every
day for the priceless gift of art
and freedom they gave me.
Mr Jiang: This line... This is also good.
Yes, you are ready.
Please, Guan Yin,
a man of ambition like myself
must have a glamorous wife.
Bring her to me.
I beg you.
Mr. Jiang: Hey, hey,
hey, boys. Stop gawping.
We mustnt keep Mr. Song waiting.
His fine fan shop caters to the wealthiest,
most influential clients in the city.
Many, a fine artistic career
has started with fan
painting for the nobility.
So do your best to impress him.
Mr. Song: Oh, Master Jiang.
Welcome. Welcome.
To my humble shop.
Prosperous as ever Mr. Song.
Mr. Song: I get by, I get
by. Thank you, uh... Mr. Jiang.
With no small thanks.
Every year you bring
your finest students here.
And every year their
exquisite fans sell like...
Soup dumplings.
So what have you brought me today?
Yeah, please.
Oh, no, no, too garish here.
A fan must be visible from
a distance, but tastefully.
Not vulgar.
What's this? A female artist?
Oh, no.
What would my clients say?
They want top ranked male artist.
Not a dilettante.
I can assure you. Boss Song.
Her work is first rate.
Master Jiang, I know I'm fashion forward,
but I'm not revolutionary.
These new women are too much for me.
Kind, sir.
As a token of my appreciation
for this opportunity in
this fine establishment.
I would humbly waive
my share of revenues for
a month?
Two months.
Two months it is!
But if they don't sell in
two weeks, out you go.
Okay. I'll make sure it sells.
Nice.
Thank you, thank you.
Mr. Song
Mrs these have just arrived.
Let me show you some of these first.
The painting is incredible.
Oh why are they not selling?
I only have two days left.
I don't know.
They match perfectly with what
the wealthy ladies are wearing this season.
Don't worry. I'll make sure
my husband buys me one.
He likes your work.
Xu Beijong likes my work?
I mean, that means a lot
because he's a successful artist.
Oh, look that lady picked
up one of your fans!
Lady Xu: Aiyo Boss Song! This is exquisite.
Is it by one of your top ranked artists?
I only want the best.
Oh, yes, yes, Lady Xu, she is actually...
She?!
I told you, I only buy the best.
I'm never going to
make a sale at this rate.
Lady Xu: I don't want a woman's work.
Do something.
Lady Xu...
You have excellent taste.
Did you know that this
particular design is much
sought after in Shanghai's French Quarter?
You do know that Paris is the
fashion capital of the world.
Oui...
Lady Xu: Yes its true.
I buy all my couture dresses from Paris.
I can tell, but unfortunately,
this particular design
is already spoken for by
Shanghai's top officials wife.
So to make up for your
unfortunate event, I can offer you two fans
from the same artist for the price of one.
Two for the price of one.
That's too good to pass up. I'll take them.
No, no, I saw them first.
I'll take two to bring back to New York.
Oh the pompous Lady Tsu will
envy my two new beautiful fans.
I'm buying four.
Wait can I show this off at
the governor's gala next week?
Please tell all of your friends
and this offer is only good for
one week.
Two.
Two weeks it is.
He was sold out in one day.
You know, I'm so excited!
But you know, my real dream
is to have my art at
museums, not just in fan shops.
One step at a time, Ziyi.
Hey there, beautiful artist girl.
Come I have, I have
a lovely trinket for you.
Marry me.
You can paint my wares.
It will make a fortune!
No wash basins or piss pots for my girl!
She's headed straight
from the national museum.
You'll regret shunning me.
I'll be someone someday! Then youll pay!
Shanghai nigh, Shanghai night
Youre a city that never sleeps
May not be the Governor's
Ball yet, but it's pretty grand, right?
Like you said, one step at a time.
Oh my god are those
Hollywood movie star Douglas
Fairbanks and Mary Pickford?
Wasnt he so dreamy in Robin Hood.
I loved her in Little Annie Rooney.
She was so brave.
I'd kill for her dress.
Oh, Id kill for a part
in one of their movies.
Don't you love ballroom dancing?
It's all the rage in America and Paris.
It's awfully daring.
Their bodies are touching.
Exactly.
But it's also so elegant,
so refined, like they're
floating on moonbeams.
Well, I think.
I think I dreamt about this before.
I wonder if I remember the steps.
I think it was one...
Oh, oh, darlings, come, come.
Oh, kiss, kiss, lovely.
Love the hair.
Darlings Im so sorry.
You-you just missed Charlie Chaplin.
But please let me introduce
the Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
And America's sweetheart, Mary Pickford.
God, I love Shanghai!
Crossroads of the world.
These three lovely nymphs are
the leading lights of Shanghai.
But Reginald, who are
these lovely ladies truly?
Were the living end. The
W, X, Z Alphabet Girls.
Wei, Xiaoman, and Ziyi.
Aren't you missing the Y?
Well, madam, as artists,
we are forever trying to solve
the eternal whys of the universe.
Touche! Beautiful and witty.
There goes our leading lady.
Its the studious ones
you have to watch out for.
Let's get a drink.
The delicacy of your
line work is superb, Xiaoman.
Oh, and the depth and nuance
of your visual and poetic
coupling is superb, Ziyi.
Well, I hope the judges think so, too.
And the poem is wonderful.
It references tradition,
but from a fresh perspective.
Just what I was going for.
Quite an astute observation, Miss...
Lu Xiaoman.
I never thought I'd see
Xiaoman with another guy,
especially after her unhappy marriage.
It is your privilege
to be considered by Mr.
Morton and myself for
this international exhibition,
which will tour the
United States and Canada.
Today,
we will search for the top five
finest young artists in China.
They must not only be
talented beyond their peers,
but knowledgeable about the
great art from around the world.
Wheres the artist?
I am the artist.
Zhou Lianxia.
What is the meaning of this?
Yes, sir. Yes, sir...
How dare you allow a
woman into this exhibit?
We do not show embroidery or hats.
Do you want to make us the
laughing stock of the art world?
Honorable sirs,
you said you would pick the
five finest artists in China,
people who are talented and
are knowledgeable about world art.
I know your word is sacred, but
allow me to demonstrate
my knowledge of world art.
Shes reenacting The Scream.
Very charming.
Edvard Munch.
Okay, one second.
Get down.
Come on, I need your help.
Don't be shy.
You'll love it.
I got it. The kiss.
Gustav Klimt.
One more.
Come on, you guys.
I need all of you.
I need this and this.
I'm going to put it right here.
Okay...
And...
Le Dejeuner Sur LHerbe!
And quite as shocking
as many intended it to be.
Brilliant,
brilliant.
What a grasp of art history! Come now.
Honorable sir...
You said... we said we wanted the most
brilliant and original
artists China has to offer.
After that display can there be any doubt?
Lady Zhou: Ziyi, look!
You got a letter and package from Canada?
I don't think I know anyone there.
But let me take the letter.
You wanna open package? - Sure.
Morton: Dear Miss
Zhou, it is with great pleasure
that I inform you that
you have won first prize
in the International
Exhibition touring the U.S.
and Canada.
My clever Ziyi won first place.
I can't believe I received this honor.
Come, your father will be beside himself.
You know, after that
ridiculous display of male ego
at the competition,
it's clear that women need
to take a stand for themselves.
That's why I invited you here.
Jade!
This is Zhou Lianxia, who won
the international exhibition.
Jade is on the executive
board of this new group,
a China Woman's Painting
and Calligraphy Association.
We all can be co-founders.
I mean, please call me Ziyi.
It's an honor to be with
so many women here.
Ladies, let's get the
meeting started, shall we?
Oh, Feng Wefeng,
our president's about to start.
Wellcome, everyone.
We all know the problems
women artists are facing nowadays.
So we are here to find ways
to create more opportunities
for us all.
Now, any suggestions
on how we can get our
work into more exhibitions?
We can ask the galleries
to host our exhibition.
We have tried this, but
we can keep on trying
and any other new ideas?
Well, my uncle
plays mahjong with a collector
so I can introduce us.
It's very interesting. I like that.
Umm, any other new ideas?
Why not just hold our own exhibition?
Well, that's easy for you to say.
You come from money. Not all of us do.
How can we afford all of this?
We could raise our money.
If we don't take
a stand for ourselves, no
one will take us seriously.
The time is now.
We have to do something.
Collectors will have to
take us more seriously.
I will all agreed to explore this?
Good. Let's start planning.
At last, a girls night!
Beihongs been painting nonstop and Xiaoman
is so smitten with Zhimo I
can't drag her out anymore.
What's wrong with you guys?
We can all be muses, Wei. Okay?
Look, I'm trying to get my poem
into the prestigious Shun Bao
News and we have the galleries.
Yes, yes. Kudos to you
and all that. But we can't-
You can't go completely
blue stocking on me.
A girl's got to tear it up now
and then. Tonight we dance.
I did design your
shoes for this occasion...
But you know, um...
I-I'm hoping to
create a new path for fashionistas.
I think this will help.
Oh, maybe the fashion
pages will open up story on us.
I don't know.
I mean, people like to
think that female artists
will settle down for any
guy and create a family,
the first chance they get
so... - Uh, cause, cause Ziyi!
Dont you want to just
attract the attention
of just one man in particular?
No, I-I don't have time for men. Okay?
Men do have their uses, you know.
Oh, my god, Wei, you're hopeless.
I watched you sashaying around in your
scandalous, little dress looking
for a bit of action. Are you?
Umm, Im sorry. - Well, Im your man.
But for your information, this is.
This is a fashion statement,
not an invitation to a lecherous bore.
Oh don't try acting coy now.
All you taxi girls are alike.
Some may accuse me of having big head,
but I always get my way.
I'm sorry, but not when you
think with your little head.
Okay?
I'll show you, little...
Let go of... Let go!
Stop, stop, stop.
All you taxi girls are alike!
Stop...
Now you'll get what's coming.
Are you okay?
What did I miss?
So I guess when you say
that you have no time for men,
you meant you work fast, right?
We...
I didnt mean to. Its
just I couldnt even stop it.
He was like lightning
laced with butterflies.
Our hearts linked to the single beat
a stranger's whose face was
more familiar than my own.
I mean, it was like...
Yin and yang and human form.
You tease, but that's exactly it.
I mean, it was a vast
and still timelessness,
as if we shared all of eternity
in an instant.
Love makes anything possible.
My golden butterfly.
Ziyi: No one
passes our bamboo hedge.
Save only the dragonflies and butterflies.
Flitting about...
Honorable father.
I want to talk about
marriage.
What perfect timing stepdaughter.
Your father and I were
just discussing your future.
Despite your many shortcomings,
I have arranged the most
marriage between you and
my most esteemed cousin,
Mr. Du Long.
Lady Zhou: No, nothings decided yet Ziyi?
He'll be here shortly.
It was all take a turn in the garden.
It's a lovely day.
So I'm... Do you have a favorite artist?
Artists... Art it's a waste of time.
The world is all about money.
And your dowry will bring me a tidy sum.
I'm sure my gracious stepmother
told you that I'm a
classically trained artist.
She also told me you'll
be giving all that up
the day we marry. No wife of mine
is going to parade
herself in public like that.
Yi-Niang: Don't they
make a charming couple.
Looks aren't everything.
He's an ignorant tyrant. Okay.
After all the time that I took to find you
an eligible bachelor.
- Oh, you ungrateful little...
- Enough, Lotus!
Mind your tongue. I'm first wife, not you.
He's not right for her.
Ziyi, we will discuss
this with your father.
This the time they take
to find the right part.
No, father, please.
Please...
Don't make me marry that man.
Strangling a womans creativity
is worse than binding her feet.
Women yearn to touch
the divine, just as men do.
Forbidding your art
would be like
tearing the wings of a butterfly.
Thank you. Thank you father.
Theres this book.
There's a handsome man Im smitten by.
Yi-Niang: What?
What have you been doing
behind our backs, you nasty girl?
Nothing. Okay.
He's an honorable man from a fine family.
Yi-Niang: He must be totally inappropriate.
I've asked him to come here
so you can see for yourself.
Lady Zhou: We know nothing of the boy.
And it's not your place to say.
He will drag this family into the gutter
with her wild ways.
Too handsome.
Must be penniless Fortune hunter.
Come in.
My silver tongue lover,
how did you convince my my dad to say yes?
You doubt my natural charms.
Well, I...
I did have to promise
to take a job at the Postal
and Communications Bureau.
Until I can support you
with my photography.
Of course.
No, I'm so sorry,
Wanping.
Do you mind at all? - No, darling.
It's actually a prestigious post
and a very small price to pay
for eternal happiness.
Now, enough of these formal shots,
lets have some fun.
Now, we are wed...
Oh, it's beautiful Wanping.
Meet, or part.
Live or die.
We've made an oath.
You and I.
Give me your hand.
For I to hold.
And live with me till we grow old.
Only if you can catch me.
How forceful your
strokes are, husband.
How exquisite
your curves are, wife.
Hmm all I want to do to you,
is what Spring does to the cherry blossom.
What's all this fuss about?
Oh, look, that's the honeymoon booklet.
I want to see it.
Ziyi!
Oh darling little...
You look radiant.
I told you, men have their uses.
Butterflies fly into love with love.
Oh no, don't give us
mushy poetry. We want all the
thrilling details. Whats
Wanping like in bed.
Wei, give the poor girl some privacy.
Not everyone is as public
with their affairs like you.
Or you and your darling
Zhimo are. Privacy? Pufff...
This book of photos and poems
you and Wanping published
is pretty racy.
Its not. Its... It's refined, right?
I mean, look, Wanping
and I, we each wrote poems.
But he took the photos.
I think the butterfly and dragonfly couplet
was lovely.
Well, well, it's selling like, bao buns.
You even made the Society News headlines.
Wedding of the year.
They didnt say that about my wedding.
Well, I mean, that's because
you secretly eloped in Paris
with Xu Beihong.
More like the scandal of the year.
Your parents even told everyone died.
All right, all right. That's
ancient history now.
No need to be rude or
Ill ask your darling Zhimo
how well he knows Pearl Buck!
I'm only kidding. Nobody
believes that gossip.
That you're busy
whispering about my husband's
young, sexy art students.
If he wants two wives Id kill him.
A spray of red apricot blossoms
peeps out from the wall...
Never mind! Let's get some champagne
to drown out sorrows I mean
celebrate the happy couple.
But I still want all the juicy details.
No! Ziyi: You sure?
Ziyi: The good rain
knows its season.
When spring arrives, it brings new life.
What you're working on?
Another article that no one will buy.
I mean, you have no
problems getting published.
Does my pen not work
as well as yours?
Even better.
But I...
have other mhmm...
equipment that society values more.
Oh, yes, you do.
Someday...
the whole world will see you as I do.
I think we artists and poets
are a species unto ourselves.
You got that right.
Hey!
And our work, a unique
expression of an artists soul.
Except for Dai-Chien. He
just copies everyone else.
You mock me now but wait and see.
My art will eclipse all you peons.
I had a vision about it when I was a monk.
Dai-Chien have I seen you before?
Yes, when I was at the
temple when I was 14.
You said I was destined for greatness.
Dai-Chien: Oh, that'll be $100, please.
Ziyi there is
something in the caterpillar
that tells you it's
going to be a butterfly.
But you also said I would
experience great sorrow.
Okay. A $50 discount.
Darling what did the owner say just now?
Well, he said, because we're so famous,
he wants to pay us to
promote his restaurant.
Oh, but I told him only if he
could give me a crystal belly
so everyone could see
how wonderful his food is.
Yes, yes, yes! Cheers to that.
And I will drink to that.
Xu Beihong: Our new cultural
movement has to throw off
the chains of the old ways,
especially in times of war.
It's good to question things you've taken
for granted for too long.
The hardest thing in life to
learn is which bridge to cross
and which to bed.
Here, here Bertrand.
I prefer to find my poetry on the street
than in the classroom.
The traditional ways are too stifling.
Yes!
I don't think you find poetry, brother.
I think it finds you.
Cheers to that!
No. Poetry rules my heart.
But there are things
that I can say with color
and ink that no words can.
Sometimes as I paint,
I can feel part of myself
going back thousands of years
to touch the artists who went before me.
One feeds the eye.
One feeds the ear.
They both feed the soul.
Cheers. - Cheers.
So uh... Zhimo.
Youve got good connections, right?
But why isn't the government doing more
to stop the Japanese
invasion? I'm not sure.
How should I know?
I'm a poet, not a politician.
But I am traveling to the capital tomorrow.
I'll keep my ears open.
Appreciate it. - Cheers.
Have you read the Shun Bao News?
Okay. If I-I swear...
If I read one more article
that's ill informed about
Chinese literature, Im...
I'm going to take out an ad in protest.
Have they not heard of Lu Xun before?
Or your work?
Modesty stops me from
publishing my own work. But...
Seriously who picks the writers?
I-I don't get it.
I do. Forgive my intrusion,
but I couldn't help but overhearing you.
I'm Norwood Allman.
Editor-in-Chief of the
much maligned Shun Pao.
Oh, my God. Please, please. Excuse me.
I'm Zhou Lianxia.
I spoke too frankly, it's
a terrible fault of mine.
I really apologize for that.
You that young debutante that
we featured in our society pages.
Yeah, I-I'm...
Im a classically trained poet and painter,
so my concern is genuine.
I mean, there's so many young
poets, that are rising in China,
and they deserve a chance.
Like who?
Ai Qing, Lu Zun, Dai
Wangshu, and so many others.
All right.
Let me see what you made
of. 1500 words on China's
promising new poets on my desk by Friday.
Don't disappoint.
Did he just give you a job?
Oh Ziyi, the Shun Pao!
Oh, my god. Kill me!
Honestly, if anyone can turn a reprimand
to a career opportunity, it would be you.
Ziyi come quick. Xiaoman is devastated.
She just got a telegram thats awful.
Zhimo just died in a plane crash.
What?
Zhimo!
Air raid! The children.
Go! - Run, run!
Following the invasion
of Shanghai, Japanese forces
advanced on Nanjing,
leaving carnage in their wake.
Western missionaries
are reporting the Japanese
have massacred over 200,000
Chinese civilians and raped and tortured
tens of thousands of Chinese...
who've is still to come for me?
Oh Mrs. Zhou, do they come for me?
No, I don't think so Mrs. Kubernick.
The Jewish are always welcome in Shanghai.
Come on, let's go back to our families.
Barbarians! What they did in Nanjing.
So many are dead.
- And those poor women.
- Keep your voice is down.
You want to get us all killed?
They wouldn't dare. Okay.
This is the international settlement.
Not when the whole world is watching.
Well move past them.
Hi, sir. Would you like to join?
No please just take a look.
Oh, we have to keep pushing.
Ziyi: I was a
blank sheet of paper full
of power, potential and promise.
But if I didn't paint my
own life on it, somebody else
would.
Oh, remember that night? Such glamour.
See you and Wanping were with us.
Yeah, but...
we have more important things to do now.
I do want to get home
before the kids go to bed.
Remember those gorgeous pre-war fashions?
Oh, I'd give my eyeteeth
for a dress like that.
But we have to go to Paris to get them.
Look, it's hard enough to
get food, let alone dresses.
You could make one.
Or spruce up an old one.
Please. I'm a muse. Not an artist.
I will look like a burlap sack.
Night Wei.
If you insist on going
to Doras to get some dresses,
we should get going.
Uh, no, no.
You better go without me.
Nothing to wear.
Mhmm funny you should say that.
Where did you get that gorgeous dress?
I made it.
Oh, no, you didnt!
I'm going to look like a cow beside you.
Funny you should say that.
Oh no you didnt!
Come on. Let's go show Dora.
Mr. Xie, how are you?
You are here?
Of course.
Oh my friends, you look stunning!
Where did you get these gorgeous dresses?
I didn't make them.
Oh its a trade secret.
You look like Hollywood movie stars.
So would you like to see my new creation?
Look at this right here.
Just stunning.
And I think that this would look
gorgeous on either one of you.
Honey...
Finally.
Do you have any idea what time it is?
You know, since everyone
started wanting a piece of you, I.
I feel like I hardly see you anymore.
From our kids to your
editors, the curators,
the woman's movement, the war effort.
Even that American banker
who thinks nothing of traveling
from Hong come to Shanghai
just to lunch with you.
Look, even the society gossip pages
are starting to comment
on how popular Madam Zhou
has become.
What about all those women
who can't wait for you
to waltz them to ecstasy?
You know, your dance
moves are legendary, my dear.
And I heard
that they call you Mr. Swivel-Hips.
Such a stupid nickname.
I feel like you don't have
time for me anymore.
Mr. Swivel-Hips, really?
I'm sorry.
Your story is out today.
Well, hurry. I hear they have butter at
Spiegelmans Deli in Little Kiev.
We need to get there before it's all gone.
It's another short story.
You don't write much poetry anymore.
It's the war.
People want to read uplifting stories,
something to get them out of the war.
Something to get them out of dark times.
What's next? Sermons?
Breaking News. It's official.
The Japanese have bombed
Pearl Harbor Sunday morning.
Early attack.
What's going on Mrs. Kubernick?
They bomb Pearl Harbor.
Why is that? - In America?
Who did? - Is the Japanese?
That's damn good news.
What? Dont you all see what this means?
The Japanese think they're the only ones
who've never lost a war.
Well, neither have us Yanks.
And we won't take this lying down.
So that means that the Americans
are entering the war on our side
Maybe good news, but
theres so much fright.
Theres so much death everywhere now.
It's the first mistake that Japan has made.
With luck, it'll cost them the war.
I don't know what to do.
You are one of us,
okay?
We're going to take care of you.
Thank you.
Guys look what I have here.
Oh whats that?
Its pork.
Its pork? Mommy
can I have some please?
Of course, it comes from
a big fat pig. So please.
Boy 2: Me too. - Dig in.
Theres enough for everyone.
You're a miracle worker.
Its amazing.
Oh, we have to thank Mrs. Kubernick
next time we see her.
Mm. Will do.
Remember one bowl of rice each.
Okay?
Hey!
Give that!
They think they can do
whatever they want now.
What's to stop them turning
Shanghai to another Nanjing?
That wont happen, okay? We are mothers.
Even if we have to take weapons ourselves.
Ziyi: My new poetry transformed
into the literature of witness.
Speaking out against atrocities,
trying to keep hope alive.
That's a picture I
think is your first competition.
Look how young you were.
And you want that.
You were so surprised.
I wasn't.
And you got famous right after that.
All right.
I got some bad news, my butterfly.
The news from suppliers
in Japan is not good.
Ever since they bombed Pearl Harbor,
now they say Japan will take over the whole
international settlement to.
Surely it's still safe here?
No, they could seize all my goods
or worse.
I'm going to take my two wives
back to our family estate in Hunan.
Well be a lot safer there.
Then you and your family
must come too, huh?
Wanping and I have lives here.
Our careers are here.
What would we do over there?
Keep an old man happy.
Two wives do that well already, father.
Be safe.
She's lost her bloom.
Who knew,
the greatest of my children
would be my daughter.
Not my son.
You can bury the speed
and pressure to change a stroke.
So if you go smooth, it will look like that
or I can be choppy and look like that.
Or it could be rough and look like that.
So you can put your own
personality into your work. Yes.
Good. Okay.
How about... How about you? Impress me.
Daddy's home!
Hello.
Oh, my goodness. - You working hard?
Give your dad a chance to relax.
Let's just go to dinner first.
Lin? Lin: Okay.
Can you help me
with the kids, please?
Thank you.
You look like a cat in a cream.
Whats going on?
I'm getting promoted.
More responsibility and a pay raise!
That's amazing. And you're so young still.
Yeah. - Oh, I'm so proud of you.
Okay, wait-wait... I want
to hear more about this.
Tell me everything. What's going on?
So they want me to courier top
secret documents the government
and distribute anti-Japanese
pamphlets around the city.
I'll have to travel more as well.
Wait, what?
No it will help drive out the Japanese...
and boost Chinese morale.
No.
Do you not know how dangerous that is?
What if the Japanese were to catch you?
If they caught me,
that would do the same
thing they do to anyone else.
My dearest Wanping, where are you?
Ziyi: Home...
I'll go early to sleep,
hoping to be one with you in my dreams.
So long as our hearts together soon...
What does it matter if
there is light or moon?
Mr. Xu, Mrs. Zhou,
a couple of pictures, please, real quick.
Right there. Thank you so much.
Mr. Xu.
Thank you.
Hey, Chen, it's bad enough
there's no pork to be
had for love or money.
Stop hogging the dim sum.
You've already drank all the wine.
Beihong, youre back.
Mhmm... - You know, they say great
art nourishes culture
and poor art debases it.
I'd hate to have you
struggle to get a masterpiece
because of your empty stomach.
Trust an intellectual to say a simple thing
in a complicated way
while we artists say complicated
things in a simple way.
No, great art begins with truth.
So how was Russia?
Oh, great Vodka, terrible food.
I couldn't find anything I needed.
Well, I mean, good thing
we have art, poetry and love.
I mean, if that's not enough, then what is?
I'm going to go to Singapore
to sell more paintings
to help the war effort
against the Japanese.
I mean, I could
donate all my work too,
although I won't sell as much as yours.
But every little bit helps.
So where's Wen Yiduo?
I thought he was coming tonight.
He's at the Li Gonpus memorial.
He'll be here soon.
Waiter.
The whole world's at war and
China is at the tip of the spear.
Why isn't the West doing more to help us?
At least Americans are
sending those Flying Tiger pilots.
With their P-40 Warhawks.
Hopefully the Japanese
won't know what hit them.
I met a Flying Tiger
once at a Shanghai club.
Harry Moyer.
He was a very nice man.
I mean, he genuinely likes the Chinese.
No prejudice.
Really, huh?
I didn't know that.
Where is the love in modern art?
This brutal war is forcing
artists to be more and more abstract.
I think as the masculine
drive to control nature,
make the organic inorganic. Reduce
the exquisite human form
to a mathematical formula.
Where's the love in that?
I got your masculine love drive right here.
And there's nothing
mathematical about that.
Except one plus one.
Chen!
You hopeless, sexist.
I mean, I think you'd be so much happier
if women were crawling
on all fours and running free in the wind.
You're right.
Ziyi, show me that on all fours part.
Maybe I should.
You know, since.
Since you haven't evolved from the ocean
troglodyte that you are.
Why don't I return you
to your natural habitat?
China is greater when women hold
half the sky and ocean.
When the New York Stock
Exchange opens by noon,
shares of General
Electric... Ziyi: Morton, Morton!
Ill ca... I have to go.
Ziyi, whats wrong.
I got your urgent message.
I have to warn you. Okay?
My husband just told me
that the Japanese are closing
in on all foreigners in China,
especially Jews, even in
international settlement.
You know, that's a death sentence!
They wouldnt dare. We control most of the
banking and financing for
Asia, right here on the Bund.
That doesnt matter anymore.
The Japanese start the
internments tomorrow.
They have ghetto camps ready,
and they're going to start the arrests.
You need to leave for Hong Kong tonight.
Tonight?
You want to take the
chance, that hes wrong.
You have, you have
have offices in Hong Kong.
You have nothing to lose.
All right, for your sake, I
will. I'll be back next week.
And if anything changes,
you have to let me.
Thank you, thank you okay?
I have to go. I have to warn others.
But please
let me know when you
get to Hong Kong safely.
You're still one of a kind, Ziyi.
Be safe.
Okay. Okay.
Mom?
Wheres father? Whats going on?
Oh, its awful! Your father is gone.
You mean away to Hong Kong?
Lady Zhou: No, no. He's dead!
Last night.
No...
What happened?
The doctor said that it was his heart.
But I have my suspicions.
That monster second wife of his
just threw me out.
She cant do that. You are first wife.
Her son is the master now.
He inherited the estate.
I have nowhere to go.
Mom, that's nonsense.
Okay? Your home is here with us.
And I don't care about the state.
Her treatment of you is unforgivable.
Do you wanna go inside first?
Ziyi: With World War Two over,
we had such hopes for a
joyful future for all of China.
But that was not to be.
My dear!
Hi, its finally over...
Most amazing. I cant believe it.
Now we will have some
peace. I mean, at last.
Oh darling... I...
I wish that were the
case, but we still have
a civil war going on.
I mean, after all these years,
haven't people had enough of war?
With the Japanese retreating
then the foreigners giving
Shanghai back to the Chinese?
There's just too much at stake
for either side to back down now.
I mean that the whole
country's up for grabs.
Men and their egos
and their lust for power.
It's just...
You never see women starting a war.
And we know it's our children
that will suffer and die.
Why don't we get out of here?
You, me, the kids just go somewhere else.
I cant. I mean, this is.
This is where we fell in love.
Our souls united here.
This is our motherland.
Never mind.
We have plenty of time to think about it.
And besides, the future may be bright.
Ziyi: As the Chinese civil war
raged on, we made the
most of the happiness we had.
There are always flowers for
those who want to see them.
Hey, hey, Wanping!
Hey, I just saw Wei and Dai Chien
outside of the artist club.
They're in a frenzy from
the Civil War ending.
They're all packing up and leaving
until things settle down.
Oh, that's terrible.
No need to shout like fish
wife. Hes in the bedroom.
Packing.
Packing?
You leaving me already?
Just packing for my trip.
Our trip to Formosa.
You know, I've been helping
transition the postal service there
from Japanese control back to the Chinese.
Well, they promoted me again
for doing a halfway decent job.
And theres a ship leaving tonight.
Youre not leaving forever right?
No, just two weeks.
But why don't you come with me?
It'll be good for us.
No, no, no worries.
No kids, no war.
Just cows,
and meadows. For as far as the eye can see.
I-I can't.
I just started work at the girl's school.
They won't let me take a vacation so early.
Besides, what would I
do in such natural splendor
for two weeks?
I can't paint dragonflies
and butterflies all day.
Perhaps not, but...
You know, everything's
just so uncertain nowadays.
Who knows how long it'll be before we-
Don't say that.
Okay, we have eternity and a day.
Okay?
You're right.
Come back to me safe and sound
my dear dragonfly.
Wanping: I'm stuck here.
I am so sorry.
I never thought this would happen.
I promise I will find my way back to you.
Nothing's going to keep us apart.
I will move heaven.
I will move earth.
You wait for me.
Stay safe.
Stay alive.
But until then,
as the bright moon shines over the sea
from far away
you share this moment with me.
Ziyi: For parted lovers,
lonely nights the worst shall be.
All night long I'll think of none but the.
When will I see you
again my dearest husband?
The new government has allowed
me to come back in and settle affairs.
But all foreigners must
leave by the end of the month.
This is it for me.
For us.
Sorry.
You've shown me so many
kindnesses in the years.
I owe much of my success to your support.
Nonsense.
You earned it, Ziyi.
With hard work and sheer talent.
The honorable Wu Hufan.
I asked him to stop by.
He's one of China's most
important art collectors.
His private collection
rivals the National Gallery.
And he's a talent poet as well.
Madam Zhou Lianxia.
One of China's most accomplished
artists and a founding member
of China Women's Painting
and Calligraphy Association.
I went to one of your women's
exhibition not too long ago
and saw your work.
I was impressed by your delicacy of lines
and the subtle layers of meaning
you added with your choice
accompanying poems. Most compelling.
So you do know art?
That was my favorite too.
You know there's so many collectors
that are dilettantes that
have just not the eye...
Ziyi!
Well, well.
Talented and plainspoken!
We're going to be fast friends.
I value honesty above all else.
I beg your pardon.
Please,
everyone extolls the virtue
of honesty, then spends
half their lives politely
lying to each other.
Speak of the devil.
I see. Mr. Chen is here.
Yeah.
He's been coveting
my collection for years.
You better keep an eye
on him. Benedict: Yeah.
I was saddened to discover
you had thought every piece
at the exhibit there
was nothing left for me.
She has a few gems hidden
away somewhere, Im sure.
Its a Ming Dynasty vase!
I got to go.
They're going to destroy
the whole collection.
You break it, you buy it.
Ziyi: Dearest Wanping,
with seven mouths to feed
I've been selling my work
and the family antiques.
But there are fewer and fewer
buyers now, so money is tight.
But enough of my troubles.
Are you well?
How I missed you and wish I could send you
this small piece of my heart.
I live upstream and you downstream.
Come night to night of you I dream.
Well, Ziyi...
Since your painting
references Bada Shanrens work
should my companion poem
evoke a sense of uncertainty,
with a touch of humor.
I love it.
It's perfect.
Ziyi, I have some good news.
You know, Im the founding board member
of the Chinese Academy of Arts.
Well, a vacancy has come up in the faculty,
and I am most pleased
to be able to offer you
a junior professorship with us.
How can I ever repay you for your kindness?
This is.
Ill take that as a yes! And nonsense,
we are lucky to have
an artist of your caliber.
It is I who should thank you.
Thank you. I'm serious.
Careful.
Someone might get the wrong idea.
You know how gossipy people are.
We are blameless friends
and I don't care about
what gossip has to say.
I could have a doctor certify me.
Unfit for an affair.
You are impossible!
Students.
I have a very special honor for you today.
One of China's most talented artists
and a new art professor,
Madame Zhou Lianxia.
Art is not a thing.
It's.
It's a way, a path, an unveiling.
It's a vision.
And as artists, it's
it's it's not important
what we see, but what we can make
others see.
It's about your little Nan?
She's all grown up.
Better start thinking about arranging a
suitable marriage soon.
Let love bloom where it may.
Ziyi: Darling Husband,
food is getting scarce now.
Even rice.
So I worry for the children.
Will we get any rice today, mother?
I hope so, okay?
There will be no more rice today.
No rice today.
No, no, we haven't eaten, okay?
Good, good. Ziyi: No!
We need some, come on! Grab some!
Just a little bit bit more.
No, no, no, no... Lets go!
We got rice.
Oh, wonderful.
So little.
I gave some away to Jade.
Careful, daughter.
You cant feed everyone.
No, but...
I can feed one.
I mean, if only we could sell
all these antiques for food.
But the vendors only take
government food stamps right now.
Nana?
I need toilet paper, Nana?
Zhong annoying.
Its rationed.
Dont use it all at once.
Well, are you kidding me, Nana?
Lady Zhou: No, oh my!
Oh mom! - I was robbed, bad.
They stole all of our food stamps!
So no food for tonight
or the rest of the month?
Oh, my... Mom, are you okay?
You're really hurt. Please... just rest.
Wanna help grandma?
Its okay, we got you. Okay?
God.
Just sleep. - You will be okay.
Thank you so much.
Look, take care of Grandma.
I'm going to go find Jade
and borrow some food stamps.
Mm. No... You have a nasty scalp wound,
a concussion, and
perhaps internal bleeding.
Nope.
Please get your strength
back for your family.
No, you have to stay overnight.
No, I can't. My family has to eat.
I need to go.
They need you healthy and strong.
If you leave, you can die
from a blood clot in your brain.
Don't be foolish.
Just lay back and rest.
Let's get you cleaned up.
We will get you cleaned up.
Please, please, stay.
Stay. Just rest.
Grandma, wake up.
Please Im so hungry.
Please,
Grandma. Mommy!
What's wrong?
Are you okay?
You, my dear,
are a very foolish woman.
You almost died.
Thank goodness you have
a very sensible daughter.
Zhong ran to my place to get help.
What were you thinking?
You guys okay?
Mom, hes fine.
Grandma is still oozy, but
Jade is there with them.
Now please rest.
You can't carry the weight of the world
on your shoulders every minute.
Mom! It's a package from Mr. Morgan.
Lady Zhou: Oh, oh, oh, yes.
Come here, Mr. Morgan gave this to us.
This is... you.
You said you were going for a walk.
And didnt we walk here.
This is too much.
I mean, it's going to wipe
out half of your food stamps.
Sit. Sit.
I don't have children to
feed and more food stamps
than I can use.
Now that you recovered
from your head wound,
you need to treat yourself.
So we enjoy ourselves.
All right, boy, more food.
There you go, dig in.
Its your favorite.
17 shrimps,
a young man like you
can do better than that.
Eat... here. Pork.
Thank you.
Oh, Ziyi, the gift to send
to your other children.
No, its, it's okay.
I insist.
Please.
You've always been so kind to me.
Like my dear brother.
And you're always my dear Ziyi.
Ziyi: Dearest
husband, it's been 17 years
since we were parted. So much has changed.
Our three older boys were
away to farm with all the other students.
Our Nan is married now to a nice teacher.
And our youngest son,
clever Zhong, won first prize at school.
You would be so proud of them all.
Feel the chi, be the stillness,
be the beauty.
Feel as the breath of life flows
from your fingertips to the paintbrush.
Close your eyes and sing
Oh, we took a wrong turn, sir.
The junior artist is this way.
You. Its you.
I never forget a face.
I'll be someone someday.
Then youll pay!
You're the snobby girl artist
who was too good to paint my wares.
I don't remember that.
It doesn't sound like
something I would say.
Oh, yes it is.
I never forget a slight.
No one's too proud to serve the
great Chinese proletariat now.
It's a new Academy program.
You'll be responsible
for painting these pieces
for mass consumption for my factory.
The workers deserve beauty too!
Everyone deserves beauty.
You find me amusing?
It just seems.
It seems that I've had an appointment
with this basin for a very long time.
Just look at her.
It's senior artist painting
a common slop basin.
Why doesnt she feel more humiliated?
Perhaps she really believe
in the art for people.
Shut up.
Who asked you?
Ziyi.
Stop!
I have discovered you have
been criticizing the government.
You wrote in your famous poem.
If two hearts truly love each
other, what does it matter?
If there's no lights or moon?
You're symbolically accusing our country
of being in a dark time.
That was a poem I wrote to my husband
20 years ago, and Ive
been honoring my
students with accessible art,
Pretty words!
And you have been accused of consorting
with counterrevolutionaries?
I have not. I really
have... - Come on, come on!
Can you just, please tell
me who's accusing me?
I-I don't know what's going on.
Apply pressure,
but no permanent damage.
I'll deal with Mr. Wu myself.
All I wanted was to marry a woman like you.
To marry you.
Im... I'm married.
Oh your husbands dead.
Didnt they tell you that?
No, you're lying.
I can still feel him even
after all these years.
No, you are mine!
Why can't you accept that I love you?
That I burn for you.
No, I can never love you.
Okay.
I can make you love me.
You abuse your power for your own gain.
Not for the people!
You dishonor yourself and our country!
You are nothing but a common bully!
I am not a bully!
My eye. My eye!
All art now belongs to the people.
What?
You mean you!
You have always wanted what was mine.
Take it... all!
Its from Mr. Wu.
Lady Zhou: Oh its for you.
I was starting to worry.
Hasvent heard back from him in days!
Wu: Dear Ziyi, all my
beauties and treasures are gone.
Even your splendid gifts to me.
How can they be elite works of art
if they make everyone's heart sing?
I feel myself slipping
away to a place where
art can still color my soul
with its delicate harmony.
Oh, how I admire your strength
and faith and human goodness, dear Ziyi.
Just like the poem for
you, there will always be:
Mountains layered,
waters overlapping,
uncertain of the path.
Willows dark and flowers bright.
Once again a village.
What are you doing? Stop!
Those are valuable.
Not anymore. Now there
are ropes around our necks.
No one can them here.
What shall we do mother?
Why does it matter?
Why does anything matter?
I lost my sight.
I lost Xiaoman.
I lost your Zhimo.
I lost my dad.
And maybe your father is gone too.
So why?
Why am I still here?
This isn't like you, Ziyi.
You're the strongest,
of all of us.
Ziyi,
only in the cold winter does one know
that the pines and cypress are the last
to shed their leaves.
You're right.
And I have you all.
Ziyi: Never have I missed you.
When every day I basked
in the knowing of your gaze.
Every day I walked the winds.
Your heart beating in my hands.
Every night I dwelt in
the evening of your mouth.
In heaven's embrace...
twin souls... ablaze among the stars.
Never have I missed you.
Safe with every breath.
Oh, Nan. Come, let me help you with that.
No, I can do it. - No, no, no.
Let's spend some time together.
Remember the first one
of these you ever painted?
That must have been 20 years ago now.
Who knew then, it would become the most
popular basin in the
country, maybe the world?
Now, everyone in China has one
of your paintings in their home.
I'm proud to be your daughter, Mother.
I painted the peony your father gave me,
that first day we went courting.
Butterflies, danced on air,
the sweetest nectar.
Birds sang of love
through crystal throats.
His heart spoke
spoke a language only I could hear.
I will remember that day forever.
I wonder when love's
longing stirs us the most?
When flowers blossom,
or when the petals fall?
Love makes everything more beautiful.
Do you,
do you think father is still alive?
Of course he is.
Does he miss us like we miss him?
Oh sweetheart...
Of course he does.
Its a letter, from America!
Oh...
Since Mr. Morton has passed,
I know no one in America.
You open it.
Wanping: My dearest wife...
When will the river no
more flow. When will my grief
no more grow. I wish your
heart would be like mine.
And not in vain for you I pine.
Its been too many years since
life separated us so cruelly.
But I still hold you dearly in my heart.
I have moved to America and arranged for
you and our children to join me here.
Thank you all for coming.
This is truly a momentous occasion
where two people
have a love that grows deeper
beyond the bonds of time,
through the greatest adversity
and that love grows deeper
every single day.
And it is reaffirmed here today,
and it goes on
forever.
Too thin, my darling wife.
And you are too fat my dearest husband.
As Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles,
I am honored to present
to you this award of merit
to Zhou Lianxia,
for your excellent talent.
Nothing seems to fit here
Once it felt so safe
Our home cold and empty
I cant find my way
I still see you
When I close my eyes
Youre here with me
In our sacred place
Standing in the raindrops
Hides the tears on my face
I can hear the quiet
Asking me to stay
I still see you
When I close my eyes
Youre here with me
In our sacred place
You know I will always love you
Words Ill always say
Ive missed you so much
Ill find you someday
I close my eyes
For our sacred place
I still see you
When I close my eyes
Youre here with me
In our sacred place
When I close my eyes
Bidding will start at $300,000.
Do I hear $300,000?
Thank you.
Who will offer $400,000?
I have $400,000.
Who will offer five hundred... $500,000?
700,000?
No, we have 700,000.
My goodness, 800,000.
Do I have an offer for $1 million?
$1 million and advance
on the $1 million. Sir?
Going once.
Going twice.
Gone for $1 million to Mr.
Morton's grandson on the right.
Pack the other things
carefully, please. Absolutely.
Absolutely.
Congratulations, sir.
It's a beautiful collection.
And from what I understand
the most extraordinary woman.
She was indeed
Stuart: My
grandfather said Leon Shojo
was the most extraordinary
woman he had ever known.
Xu Yi was full of life,
bright, beautiful and talented.
She dared to break from the
golden chains of her family's
wealth and privilege
to forge her own path
through painting and poetry.
They met in the 1930s
in Shanghai's golden era,
Grandfathers said during World War Two,
without her help, he would never
have made it out of occupied China alive.
She lived in his heart to the day he died.
Ziyi!
Yi-Niang: Ziyi!
Where are you, you naughty girl?
Get back here this instant.
Yi-Niang.
Yi-Niang: Oh, you're a disgrace.
Barefoot and in boy's clothing.
Who would want to marry a brat like you?
Someone who loves me.
Don't backchat me, girl!
Why your mother and father
allow such nonsense like this is beyond me.
But now that I'm second wife,
I'm going to put a stop to this
before you embarrass us all.
Get to the washbasin.
Clean your filthy feet.
You're going to be late to poetry lesson.
Yi-Niang: Lord husband. Lord husband.
Yes. What is it?
That girl of yours is a disgrace.
Unlike our darling boy
Fu who never gives me
a moment's trouble.
That's my heir.
You have to look presentable all the time.
And Confucius say to eat in moderation.
Hm?
Im a
butterfly, Im a butterfly
Im a butterfly
Daughter.
Lord Zhou: I will have quiet.
You see, my lord.
She is high spirited. I grant you.
Yi-Niang: Mark my word, Lord Husband,
you must bind her feet, to
curb her wild, boyish ways.
Or she'll become unmanageable
and unmarriageable.
Yes, well...
I will consider it.
Now if there's nothing else?
What is she complaining about this time?
Ziyi, who else? That girl is too wild.
She is full of life, but also
good, kind hearted and loyal.
Lotus wants to bind
our only daughter's feet.
To calm her down.
But surely times are changing.
I have not decided yet.
Now let's recite
Li Bais poem from memory.
My old
friend bids farewell to me
in the west at Yellow
Crane Tower. Amid Marchs
he goes down to Yangzhou.
The distant image of
his lonely sail disappears in the blue sky.
And all I see,
is the long river
following the edge of sky.
Very good there, Mistress Zhou.
Now let's start with Meng Haoran poetry.
The spring, the...
Spring...
The Spring
dawn I was sleeping sound.
Catching birds...
everywhere?
I had enough for today.
Hey!
Stop it!
Mom!
I did... - What is going on here?
Who dared disrupt my peace and quiet?
I didn't do anything.
She just hit me.
Lord Zhou: You struck my son and heir?
Wicket girl.
B-but, Father, I didn't do anything.
He started it.
This has gone far enough.
You will summon the foot binder.
No, Father, please. No!
Lord Zhou: Silence.
A girl must learn her place.
Lady Zhou: Lord husband,
the foot-binder is here.
It's not too late.
She brought it on herself.
Please.
Yi-Niang: Stop moving, girl.
Let the foot binding do his bidding.
Lady Zhou: Please, please...
Sit still.
Stop.
Art Dealer: This is nice.
But this masterpiece is
from the Tang Dynasty
depicting man's search for Buddha.
Daughter, you must not
eavesdrop on your father.
Oh, no, Mother, I'm trying to see
what I could do to thank him.
You are a dutiful daughter, Ziyi.
But don't listen long.
Art Dealer: Superb collection.
All for a mere cost of...
20 silver sycees.
Hmm. Come...
A cup of tea before we talk business.
Philistines!
Someone has destroyed our masterpiece.
Everyone in here?
Now!
Fu!
Did you do this?
Speak up.
No I... - Take a punishment like a man.
Father... - No!
Fu did not do it.
I did.
Lord Zhou: You did this?
Why would you commit such sacrilege?
You said they were seeking the Buddha
here they have found him.
How dare your presume the...
Lord Zhou: Youre right.
This is better.
I have underestimated you, daughter.
Ziyi: Art became the air
I breathed and gave me a voice.
A woman can only dream of having.
Do you think Father will
like his birthday present?
Its beautiful, how could you not?
Father, here's
my birthday gift for you.
Lord Zhou: Oh, my goodness.
Daughter is...
this a new technique?
It's meant to find the
beauty in life's uncertainties.
Very interesting.
I like it.
I like it.
Oh, thank you, Father.
Don't think that you're going
to get any special treatment
here in the big city, girl.
Girl, you're nothing
more than an uneducated
country bumpkin.
You must mean an educated country bumpkin.
But with your kind encouragement,
not for long.
Mr. Jiang
Lord Zhou, welcome, welcome.
Welcome...
Your fame as the finest art
teacher in China precedes you, Mr. Jiang.
You do me too
great an honor, Lord Zhou.
Of course, I take very
few students each year,
but I would be happy
to review your son's
portfolio to see if he's ready.
Lord Zhou: It is not my son.
I wish you to teach.
It is my daughter.
Uh, I'm sorry, my Lord.
I teach professional artists only.
No dabblers,
no females.
Lord Zhou: Respectfully, Mr.
Jang, it is my intention
that my daughter pursue art professionally.
If you allow my frankness,
she has the aptitude for it.
Be that as it may,
it just isn't done.
Honorable Master Jiang,
you said you only take student
whose work was good enough.
Is it?
Well,
Young lady, this is really your work?
On my honor...
It is all hers.
Are you a hard worker?
Will you take my advice without any
girlish nonsense?
No flirting.
Only art.
Art and more art.
Oh, yes, master Jiang.
Only art, art, and more art.
And I will work harder than
any of your other students.
You will not be sorry, Master Jiang.
I'm sorry already.
Come I will show you
the proper way to do it.
But you must also study poetry.
Hey, meet my daughter, Wei.
She can keep an eye on you.
Ziyi: Everything
was thrilling and new.
My new studies, new ideas,
new best friend Jiang Bi Wei.
The whole world was alive with possibility
and I knew an endless
shining future lay ahead.
If I was willing to work
hard and strive for it.
Art became
that special language that
only my father and I shared.
We were cut from the same canvas he and I
painted by the same brush.
Art filled every waking hour
and gave me my lust for life.
In my grateful heart,
I thanked my parents every
day for the priceless gift of art
and freedom they gave me.
Mr Jiang: This line... This is also good.
Yes, you are ready.
Please, Guan Yin,
a man of ambition like myself
must have a glamorous wife.
Bring her to me.
I beg you.
Mr. Jiang: Hey, hey,
hey, boys. Stop gawping.
We mustnt keep Mr. Song waiting.
His fine fan shop caters to the wealthiest,
most influential clients in the city.
Many, a fine artistic career
has started with fan
painting for the nobility.
So do your best to impress him.
Mr. Song: Oh, Master Jiang.
Welcome. Welcome.
To my humble shop.
Prosperous as ever Mr. Song.
Mr. Song: I get by, I get
by. Thank you, uh... Mr. Jiang.
With no small thanks.
Every year you bring
your finest students here.
And every year their
exquisite fans sell like...
Soup dumplings.
So what have you brought me today?
Yeah, please.
Oh, no, no, too garish here.
A fan must be visible from
a distance, but tastefully.
Not vulgar.
What's this? A female artist?
Oh, no.
What would my clients say?
They want top ranked male artist.
Not a dilettante.
I can assure you. Boss Song.
Her work is first rate.
Master Jiang, I know I'm fashion forward,
but I'm not revolutionary.
These new women are too much for me.
Kind, sir.
As a token of my appreciation
for this opportunity in
this fine establishment.
I would humbly waive
my share of revenues for
a month?
Two months.
Two months it is!
But if they don't sell in
two weeks, out you go.
Okay. I'll make sure it sells.
Nice.
Thank you, thank you.
Mr. Song
Mrs these have just arrived.
Let me show you some of these first.
The painting is incredible.
Oh why are they not selling?
I only have two days left.
I don't know.
They match perfectly with what
the wealthy ladies are wearing this season.
Don't worry. I'll make sure
my husband buys me one.
He likes your work.
Xu Beijong likes my work?
I mean, that means a lot
because he's a successful artist.
Oh, look that lady picked
up one of your fans!
Lady Xu: Aiyo Boss Song! This is exquisite.
Is it by one of your top ranked artists?
I only want the best.
Oh, yes, yes, Lady Xu, she is actually...
She?!
I told you, I only buy the best.
I'm never going to
make a sale at this rate.
Lady Xu: I don't want a woman's work.
Do something.
Lady Xu...
You have excellent taste.
Did you know that this
particular design is much
sought after in Shanghai's French Quarter?
You do know that Paris is the
fashion capital of the world.
Oui...
Lady Xu: Yes its true.
I buy all my couture dresses from Paris.
I can tell, but unfortunately,
this particular design
is already spoken for by
Shanghai's top officials wife.
So to make up for your
unfortunate event, I can offer you two fans
from the same artist for the price of one.
Two for the price of one.
That's too good to pass up. I'll take them.
No, no, I saw them first.
I'll take two to bring back to New York.
Oh the pompous Lady Tsu will
envy my two new beautiful fans.
I'm buying four.
Wait can I show this off at
the governor's gala next week?
Please tell all of your friends
and this offer is only good for
one week.
Two.
Two weeks it is.
He was sold out in one day.
You know, I'm so excited!
But you know, my real dream
is to have my art at
museums, not just in fan shops.
One step at a time, Ziyi.
Hey there, beautiful artist girl.
Come I have, I have
a lovely trinket for you.
Marry me.
You can paint my wares.
It will make a fortune!
No wash basins or piss pots for my girl!
She's headed straight
from the national museum.
You'll regret shunning me.
I'll be someone someday! Then youll pay!
Shanghai nigh, Shanghai night
Youre a city that never sleeps
May not be the Governor's
Ball yet, but it's pretty grand, right?
Like you said, one step at a time.
Oh my god are those
Hollywood movie star Douglas
Fairbanks and Mary Pickford?
Wasnt he so dreamy in Robin Hood.
I loved her in Little Annie Rooney.
She was so brave.
I'd kill for her dress.
Oh, Id kill for a part
in one of their movies.
Don't you love ballroom dancing?
It's all the rage in America and Paris.
It's awfully daring.
Their bodies are touching.
Exactly.
But it's also so elegant,
so refined, like they're
floating on moonbeams.
Well, I think.
I think I dreamt about this before.
I wonder if I remember the steps.
I think it was one...
Oh, oh, darlings, come, come.
Oh, kiss, kiss, lovely.
Love the hair.
Darlings Im so sorry.
You-you just missed Charlie Chaplin.
But please let me introduce
the Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
And America's sweetheart, Mary Pickford.
God, I love Shanghai!
Crossroads of the world.
These three lovely nymphs are
the leading lights of Shanghai.
But Reginald, who are
these lovely ladies truly?
Were the living end. The
W, X, Z Alphabet Girls.
Wei, Xiaoman, and Ziyi.
Aren't you missing the Y?
Well, madam, as artists,
we are forever trying to solve
the eternal whys of the universe.
Touche! Beautiful and witty.
There goes our leading lady.
Its the studious ones
you have to watch out for.
Let's get a drink.
The delicacy of your
line work is superb, Xiaoman.
Oh, and the depth and nuance
of your visual and poetic
coupling is superb, Ziyi.
Well, I hope the judges think so, too.
And the poem is wonderful.
It references tradition,
but from a fresh perspective.
Just what I was going for.
Quite an astute observation, Miss...
Lu Xiaoman.
I never thought I'd see
Xiaoman with another guy,
especially after her unhappy marriage.
It is your privilege
to be considered by Mr.
Morton and myself for
this international exhibition,
which will tour the
United States and Canada.
Today,
we will search for the top five
finest young artists in China.
They must not only be
talented beyond their peers,
but knowledgeable about the
great art from around the world.
Wheres the artist?
I am the artist.
Zhou Lianxia.
What is the meaning of this?
Yes, sir. Yes, sir...
How dare you allow a
woman into this exhibit?
We do not show embroidery or hats.
Do you want to make us the
laughing stock of the art world?
Honorable sirs,
you said you would pick the
five finest artists in China,
people who are talented and
are knowledgeable about world art.
I know your word is sacred, but
allow me to demonstrate
my knowledge of world art.
Shes reenacting The Scream.
Very charming.
Edvard Munch.
Okay, one second.
Get down.
Come on, I need your help.
Don't be shy.
You'll love it.
I got it. The kiss.
Gustav Klimt.
One more.
Come on, you guys.
I need all of you.
I need this and this.
I'm going to put it right here.
Okay...
And...
Le Dejeuner Sur LHerbe!
And quite as shocking
as many intended it to be.
Brilliant,
brilliant.
What a grasp of art history! Come now.
Honorable sir...
You said... we said we wanted the most
brilliant and original
artists China has to offer.
After that display can there be any doubt?
Lady Zhou: Ziyi, look!
You got a letter and package from Canada?
I don't think I know anyone there.
But let me take the letter.
You wanna open package? - Sure.
Morton: Dear Miss
Zhou, it is with great pleasure
that I inform you that
you have won first prize
in the International
Exhibition touring the U.S.
and Canada.
My clever Ziyi won first place.
I can't believe I received this honor.
Come, your father will be beside himself.
You know, after that
ridiculous display of male ego
at the competition,
it's clear that women need
to take a stand for themselves.
That's why I invited you here.
Jade!
This is Zhou Lianxia, who won
the international exhibition.
Jade is on the executive
board of this new group,
a China Woman's Painting
and Calligraphy Association.
We all can be co-founders.
I mean, please call me Ziyi.
It's an honor to be with
so many women here.
Ladies, let's get the
meeting started, shall we?
Oh, Feng Wefeng,
our president's about to start.
Wellcome, everyone.
We all know the problems
women artists are facing nowadays.
So we are here to find ways
to create more opportunities
for us all.
Now, any suggestions
on how we can get our
work into more exhibitions?
We can ask the galleries
to host our exhibition.
We have tried this, but
we can keep on trying
and any other new ideas?
Well, my uncle
plays mahjong with a collector
so I can introduce us.
It's very interesting. I like that.
Umm, any other new ideas?
Why not just hold our own exhibition?
Well, that's easy for you to say.
You come from money. Not all of us do.
How can we afford all of this?
We could raise our money.
If we don't take
a stand for ourselves, no
one will take us seriously.
The time is now.
We have to do something.
Collectors will have to
take us more seriously.
I will all agreed to explore this?
Good. Let's start planning.
At last, a girls night!
Beihongs been painting nonstop and Xiaoman
is so smitten with Zhimo I
can't drag her out anymore.
What's wrong with you guys?
We can all be muses, Wei. Okay?
Look, I'm trying to get my poem
into the prestigious Shun Bao
News and we have the galleries.
Yes, yes. Kudos to you
and all that. But we can't-
You can't go completely
blue stocking on me.
A girl's got to tear it up now
and then. Tonight we dance.
I did design your
shoes for this occasion...
But you know, um...
I-I'm hoping to
create a new path for fashionistas.
I think this will help.
Oh, maybe the fashion
pages will open up story on us.
I don't know.
I mean, people like to
think that female artists
will settle down for any
guy and create a family,
the first chance they get
so... - Uh, cause, cause Ziyi!
Dont you want to just
attract the attention
of just one man in particular?
No, I-I don't have time for men. Okay?
Men do have their uses, you know.
Oh, my god, Wei, you're hopeless.
I watched you sashaying around in your
scandalous, little dress looking
for a bit of action. Are you?
Umm, Im sorry. - Well, Im your man.
But for your information, this is.
This is a fashion statement,
not an invitation to a lecherous bore.
Oh don't try acting coy now.
All you taxi girls are alike.
Some may accuse me of having big head,
but I always get my way.
I'm sorry, but not when you
think with your little head.
Okay?
I'll show you, little...
Let go of... Let go!
Stop, stop, stop.
All you taxi girls are alike!
Stop...
Now you'll get what's coming.
Are you okay?
What did I miss?
So I guess when you say
that you have no time for men,
you meant you work fast, right?
We...
I didnt mean to. Its
just I couldnt even stop it.
He was like lightning
laced with butterflies.
Our hearts linked to the single beat
a stranger's whose face was
more familiar than my own.
I mean, it was like...
Yin and yang and human form.
You tease, but that's exactly it.
I mean, it was a vast
and still timelessness,
as if we shared all of eternity
in an instant.
Love makes anything possible.
My golden butterfly.
Ziyi: No one
passes our bamboo hedge.
Save only the dragonflies and butterflies.
Flitting about...
Honorable father.
I want to talk about
marriage.
What perfect timing stepdaughter.
Your father and I were
just discussing your future.
Despite your many shortcomings,
I have arranged the most
marriage between you and
my most esteemed cousin,
Mr. Du Long.
Lady Zhou: No, nothings decided yet Ziyi?
He'll be here shortly.
It was all take a turn in the garden.
It's a lovely day.
So I'm... Do you have a favorite artist?
Artists... Art it's a waste of time.
The world is all about money.
And your dowry will bring me a tidy sum.
I'm sure my gracious stepmother
told you that I'm a
classically trained artist.
She also told me you'll
be giving all that up
the day we marry. No wife of mine
is going to parade
herself in public like that.
Yi-Niang: Don't they
make a charming couple.
Looks aren't everything.
He's an ignorant tyrant. Okay.
After all the time that I took to find you
an eligible bachelor.
- Oh, you ungrateful little...
- Enough, Lotus!
Mind your tongue. I'm first wife, not you.
He's not right for her.
Ziyi, we will discuss
this with your father.
This the time they take
to find the right part.
No, father, please.
Please...
Don't make me marry that man.
Strangling a womans creativity
is worse than binding her feet.
Women yearn to touch
the divine, just as men do.
Forbidding your art
would be like
tearing the wings of a butterfly.
Thank you. Thank you father.
Theres this book.
There's a handsome man Im smitten by.
Yi-Niang: What?
What have you been doing
behind our backs, you nasty girl?
Nothing. Okay.
He's an honorable man from a fine family.
Yi-Niang: He must be totally inappropriate.
I've asked him to come here
so you can see for yourself.
Lady Zhou: We know nothing of the boy.
And it's not your place to say.
He will drag this family into the gutter
with her wild ways.
Too handsome.
Must be penniless Fortune hunter.
Come in.
My silver tongue lover,
how did you convince my my dad to say yes?
You doubt my natural charms.
Well, I...
I did have to promise
to take a job at the Postal
and Communications Bureau.
Until I can support you
with my photography.
Of course.
No, I'm so sorry,
Wanping.
Do you mind at all? - No, darling.
It's actually a prestigious post
and a very small price to pay
for eternal happiness.
Now, enough of these formal shots,
lets have some fun.
Now, we are wed...
Oh, it's beautiful Wanping.
Meet, or part.
Live or die.
We've made an oath.
You and I.
Give me your hand.
For I to hold.
And live with me till we grow old.
Only if you can catch me.
How forceful your
strokes are, husband.
How exquisite
your curves are, wife.
Hmm all I want to do to you,
is what Spring does to the cherry blossom.
What's all this fuss about?
Oh, look, that's the honeymoon booklet.
I want to see it.
Ziyi!
Oh darling little...
You look radiant.
I told you, men have their uses.
Butterflies fly into love with love.
Oh no, don't give us
mushy poetry. We want all the
thrilling details. Whats
Wanping like in bed.
Wei, give the poor girl some privacy.
Not everyone is as public
with their affairs like you.
Or you and your darling
Zhimo are. Privacy? Pufff...
This book of photos and poems
you and Wanping published
is pretty racy.
Its not. Its... It's refined, right?
I mean, look, Wanping
and I, we each wrote poems.
But he took the photos.
I think the butterfly and dragonfly couplet
was lovely.
Well, well, it's selling like, bao buns.
You even made the Society News headlines.
Wedding of the year.
They didnt say that about my wedding.
Well, I mean, that's because
you secretly eloped in Paris
with Xu Beihong.
More like the scandal of the year.
Your parents even told everyone died.
All right, all right. That's
ancient history now.
No need to be rude or
Ill ask your darling Zhimo
how well he knows Pearl Buck!
I'm only kidding. Nobody
believes that gossip.
That you're busy
whispering about my husband's
young, sexy art students.
If he wants two wives Id kill him.
A spray of red apricot blossoms
peeps out from the wall...
Never mind! Let's get some champagne
to drown out sorrows I mean
celebrate the happy couple.
But I still want all the juicy details.
No! Ziyi: You sure?
Ziyi: The good rain
knows its season.
When spring arrives, it brings new life.
What you're working on?
Another article that no one will buy.
I mean, you have no
problems getting published.
Does my pen not work
as well as yours?
Even better.
But I...
have other mhmm...
equipment that society values more.
Oh, yes, you do.
Someday...
the whole world will see you as I do.
I think we artists and poets
are a species unto ourselves.
You got that right.
Hey!
And our work, a unique
expression of an artists soul.
Except for Dai-Chien. He
just copies everyone else.
You mock me now but wait and see.
My art will eclipse all you peons.
I had a vision about it when I was a monk.
Dai-Chien have I seen you before?
Yes, when I was at the
temple when I was 14.
You said I was destined for greatness.
Dai-Chien: Oh, that'll be $100, please.
Ziyi there is
something in the caterpillar
that tells you it's
going to be a butterfly.
But you also said I would
experience great sorrow.
Okay. A $50 discount.
Darling what did the owner say just now?
Well, he said, because we're so famous,
he wants to pay us to
promote his restaurant.
Oh, but I told him only if he
could give me a crystal belly
so everyone could see
how wonderful his food is.
Yes, yes, yes! Cheers to that.
And I will drink to that.
Xu Beihong: Our new cultural
movement has to throw off
the chains of the old ways,
especially in times of war.
It's good to question things you've taken
for granted for too long.
The hardest thing in life to
learn is which bridge to cross
and which to bed.
Here, here Bertrand.
I prefer to find my poetry on the street
than in the classroom.
The traditional ways are too stifling.
Yes!
I don't think you find poetry, brother.
I think it finds you.
Cheers to that!
No. Poetry rules my heart.
But there are things
that I can say with color
and ink that no words can.
Sometimes as I paint,
I can feel part of myself
going back thousands of years
to touch the artists who went before me.
One feeds the eye.
One feeds the ear.
They both feed the soul.
Cheers. - Cheers.
So uh... Zhimo.
Youve got good connections, right?
But why isn't the government doing more
to stop the Japanese
invasion? I'm not sure.
How should I know?
I'm a poet, not a politician.
But I am traveling to the capital tomorrow.
I'll keep my ears open.
Appreciate it. - Cheers.
Have you read the Shun Bao News?
Okay. If I-I swear...
If I read one more article
that's ill informed about
Chinese literature, Im...
I'm going to take out an ad in protest.
Have they not heard of Lu Xun before?
Or your work?
Modesty stops me from
publishing my own work. But...
Seriously who picks the writers?
I-I don't get it.
I do. Forgive my intrusion,
but I couldn't help but overhearing you.
I'm Norwood Allman.
Editor-in-Chief of the
much maligned Shun Pao.
Oh, my God. Please, please. Excuse me.
I'm Zhou Lianxia.
I spoke too frankly, it's
a terrible fault of mine.
I really apologize for that.
You that young debutante that
we featured in our society pages.
Yeah, I-I'm...
Im a classically trained poet and painter,
so my concern is genuine.
I mean, there's so many young
poets, that are rising in China,
and they deserve a chance.
Like who?
Ai Qing, Lu Zun, Dai
Wangshu, and so many others.
All right.
Let me see what you made
of. 1500 words on China's
promising new poets on my desk by Friday.
Don't disappoint.
Did he just give you a job?
Oh Ziyi, the Shun Pao!
Oh, my god. Kill me!
Honestly, if anyone can turn a reprimand
to a career opportunity, it would be you.
Ziyi come quick. Xiaoman is devastated.
She just got a telegram thats awful.
Zhimo just died in a plane crash.
What?
Zhimo!
Air raid! The children.
Go! - Run, run!
Following the invasion
of Shanghai, Japanese forces
advanced on Nanjing,
leaving carnage in their wake.
Western missionaries
are reporting the Japanese
have massacred over 200,000
Chinese civilians and raped and tortured
tens of thousands of Chinese...
who've is still to come for me?
Oh Mrs. Zhou, do they come for me?
No, I don't think so Mrs. Kubernick.
The Jewish are always welcome in Shanghai.
Come on, let's go back to our families.
Barbarians! What they did in Nanjing.
So many are dead.
- And those poor women.
- Keep your voice is down.
You want to get us all killed?
They wouldn't dare. Okay.
This is the international settlement.
Not when the whole world is watching.
Well move past them.
Hi, sir. Would you like to join?
No please just take a look.
Oh, we have to keep pushing.
Ziyi: I was a
blank sheet of paper full
of power, potential and promise.
But if I didn't paint my
own life on it, somebody else
would.
Oh, remember that night? Such glamour.
See you and Wanping were with us.
Yeah, but...
we have more important things to do now.
I do want to get home
before the kids go to bed.
Remember those gorgeous pre-war fashions?
Oh, I'd give my eyeteeth
for a dress like that.
But we have to go to Paris to get them.
Look, it's hard enough to
get food, let alone dresses.
You could make one.
Or spruce up an old one.
Please. I'm a muse. Not an artist.
I will look like a burlap sack.
Night Wei.
If you insist on going
to Doras to get some dresses,
we should get going.
Uh, no, no.
You better go without me.
Nothing to wear.
Mhmm funny you should say that.
Where did you get that gorgeous dress?
I made it.
Oh, no, you didnt!
I'm going to look like a cow beside you.
Funny you should say that.
Oh no you didnt!
Come on. Let's go show Dora.
Mr. Xie, how are you?
You are here?
Of course.
Oh my friends, you look stunning!
Where did you get these gorgeous dresses?
I didn't make them.
Oh its a trade secret.
You look like Hollywood movie stars.
So would you like to see my new creation?
Look at this right here.
Just stunning.
And I think that this would look
gorgeous on either one of you.
Honey...
Finally.
Do you have any idea what time it is?
You know, since everyone
started wanting a piece of you, I.
I feel like I hardly see you anymore.
From our kids to your
editors, the curators,
the woman's movement, the war effort.
Even that American banker
who thinks nothing of traveling
from Hong come to Shanghai
just to lunch with you.
Look, even the society gossip pages
are starting to comment
on how popular Madam Zhou
has become.
What about all those women
who can't wait for you
to waltz them to ecstasy?
You know, your dance
moves are legendary, my dear.
And I heard
that they call you Mr. Swivel-Hips.
Such a stupid nickname.
I feel like you don't have
time for me anymore.
Mr. Swivel-Hips, really?
I'm sorry.
Your story is out today.
Well, hurry. I hear they have butter at
Spiegelmans Deli in Little Kiev.
We need to get there before it's all gone.
It's another short story.
You don't write much poetry anymore.
It's the war.
People want to read uplifting stories,
something to get them out of the war.
Something to get them out of dark times.
What's next? Sermons?
Breaking News. It's official.
The Japanese have bombed
Pearl Harbor Sunday morning.
Early attack.
What's going on Mrs. Kubernick?
They bomb Pearl Harbor.
Why is that? - In America?
Who did? - Is the Japanese?
That's damn good news.
What? Dont you all see what this means?
The Japanese think they're the only ones
who've never lost a war.
Well, neither have us Yanks.
And we won't take this lying down.
So that means that the Americans
are entering the war on our side
Maybe good news, but
theres so much fright.
Theres so much death everywhere now.
It's the first mistake that Japan has made.
With luck, it'll cost them the war.
I don't know what to do.
You are one of us,
okay?
We're going to take care of you.
Thank you.
Guys look what I have here.
Oh whats that?
Its pork.
Its pork? Mommy
can I have some please?
Of course, it comes from
a big fat pig. So please.
Boy 2: Me too. - Dig in.
Theres enough for everyone.
You're a miracle worker.
Its amazing.
Oh, we have to thank Mrs. Kubernick
next time we see her.
Mm. Will do.
Remember one bowl of rice each.
Okay?
Hey!
Give that!
They think they can do
whatever they want now.
What's to stop them turning
Shanghai to another Nanjing?
That wont happen, okay? We are mothers.
Even if we have to take weapons ourselves.
Ziyi: My new poetry transformed
into the literature of witness.
Speaking out against atrocities,
trying to keep hope alive.
That's a picture I
think is your first competition.
Look how young you were.
And you want that.
You were so surprised.
I wasn't.
And you got famous right after that.
All right.
I got some bad news, my butterfly.
The news from suppliers
in Japan is not good.
Ever since they bombed Pearl Harbor,
now they say Japan will take over the whole
international settlement to.
Surely it's still safe here?
No, they could seize all my goods
or worse.
I'm going to take my two wives
back to our family estate in Hunan.
Well be a lot safer there.
Then you and your family
must come too, huh?
Wanping and I have lives here.
Our careers are here.
What would we do over there?
Keep an old man happy.
Two wives do that well already, father.
Be safe.
She's lost her bloom.
Who knew,
the greatest of my children
would be my daughter.
Not my son.
You can bury the speed
and pressure to change a stroke.
So if you go smooth, it will look like that
or I can be choppy and look like that.
Or it could be rough and look like that.
So you can put your own
personality into your work. Yes.
Good. Okay.
How about... How about you? Impress me.
Daddy's home!
Hello.
Oh, my goodness. - You working hard?
Give your dad a chance to relax.
Let's just go to dinner first.
Lin? Lin: Okay.
Can you help me
with the kids, please?
Thank you.
You look like a cat in a cream.
Whats going on?
I'm getting promoted.
More responsibility and a pay raise!
That's amazing. And you're so young still.
Yeah. - Oh, I'm so proud of you.
Okay, wait-wait... I want
to hear more about this.
Tell me everything. What's going on?
So they want me to courier top
secret documents the government
and distribute anti-Japanese
pamphlets around the city.
I'll have to travel more as well.
Wait, what?
No it will help drive out the Japanese...
and boost Chinese morale.
No.
Do you not know how dangerous that is?
What if the Japanese were to catch you?
If they caught me,
that would do the same
thing they do to anyone else.
My dearest Wanping, where are you?
Ziyi: Home...
I'll go early to sleep,
hoping to be one with you in my dreams.
So long as our hearts together soon...
What does it matter if
there is light or moon?
Mr. Xu, Mrs. Zhou,
a couple of pictures, please, real quick.
Right there. Thank you so much.
Mr. Xu.
Thank you.
Hey, Chen, it's bad enough
there's no pork to be
had for love or money.
Stop hogging the dim sum.
You've already drank all the wine.
Beihong, youre back.
Mhmm... - You know, they say great
art nourishes culture
and poor art debases it.
I'd hate to have you
struggle to get a masterpiece
because of your empty stomach.
Trust an intellectual to say a simple thing
in a complicated way
while we artists say complicated
things in a simple way.
No, great art begins with truth.
So how was Russia?
Oh, great Vodka, terrible food.
I couldn't find anything I needed.
Well, I mean, good thing
we have art, poetry and love.
I mean, if that's not enough, then what is?
I'm going to go to Singapore
to sell more paintings
to help the war effort
against the Japanese.
I mean, I could
donate all my work too,
although I won't sell as much as yours.
But every little bit helps.
So where's Wen Yiduo?
I thought he was coming tonight.
He's at the Li Gonpus memorial.
He'll be here soon.
Waiter.
The whole world's at war and
China is at the tip of the spear.
Why isn't the West doing more to help us?
At least Americans are
sending those Flying Tiger pilots.
With their P-40 Warhawks.
Hopefully the Japanese
won't know what hit them.
I met a Flying Tiger
once at a Shanghai club.
Harry Moyer.
He was a very nice man.
I mean, he genuinely likes the Chinese.
No prejudice.
Really, huh?
I didn't know that.
Where is the love in modern art?
This brutal war is forcing
artists to be more and more abstract.
I think as the masculine
drive to control nature,
make the organic inorganic. Reduce
the exquisite human form
to a mathematical formula.
Where's the love in that?
I got your masculine love drive right here.
And there's nothing
mathematical about that.
Except one plus one.
Chen!
You hopeless, sexist.
I mean, I think you'd be so much happier
if women were crawling
on all fours and running free in the wind.
You're right.
Ziyi, show me that on all fours part.
Maybe I should.
You know, since.
Since you haven't evolved from the ocean
troglodyte that you are.
Why don't I return you
to your natural habitat?
China is greater when women hold
half the sky and ocean.
When the New York Stock
Exchange opens by noon,
shares of General
Electric... Ziyi: Morton, Morton!
Ill ca... I have to go.
Ziyi, whats wrong.
I got your urgent message.
I have to warn you. Okay?
My husband just told me
that the Japanese are closing
in on all foreigners in China,
especially Jews, even in
international settlement.
You know, that's a death sentence!
They wouldnt dare. We control most of the
banking and financing for
Asia, right here on the Bund.
That doesnt matter anymore.
The Japanese start the
internments tomorrow.
They have ghetto camps ready,
and they're going to start the arrests.
You need to leave for Hong Kong tonight.
Tonight?
You want to take the
chance, that hes wrong.
You have, you have
have offices in Hong Kong.
You have nothing to lose.
All right, for your sake, I
will. I'll be back next week.
And if anything changes,
you have to let me.
Thank you, thank you okay?
I have to go. I have to warn others.
But please
let me know when you
get to Hong Kong safely.
You're still one of a kind, Ziyi.
Be safe.
Okay. Okay.
Mom?
Wheres father? Whats going on?
Oh, its awful! Your father is gone.
You mean away to Hong Kong?
Lady Zhou: No, no. He's dead!
Last night.
No...
What happened?
The doctor said that it was his heart.
But I have my suspicions.
That monster second wife of his
just threw me out.
She cant do that. You are first wife.
Her son is the master now.
He inherited the estate.
I have nowhere to go.
Mom, that's nonsense.
Okay? Your home is here with us.
And I don't care about the state.
Her treatment of you is unforgivable.
Do you wanna go inside first?
Ziyi: With World War Two over,
we had such hopes for a
joyful future for all of China.
But that was not to be.
My dear!
Hi, its finally over...
Most amazing. I cant believe it.
Now we will have some
peace. I mean, at last.
Oh darling... I...
I wish that were the
case, but we still have
a civil war going on.
I mean, after all these years,
haven't people had enough of war?
With the Japanese retreating
then the foreigners giving
Shanghai back to the Chinese?
There's just too much at stake
for either side to back down now.
I mean that the whole
country's up for grabs.
Men and their egos
and their lust for power.
It's just...
You never see women starting a war.
And we know it's our children
that will suffer and die.
Why don't we get out of here?
You, me, the kids just go somewhere else.
I cant. I mean, this is.
This is where we fell in love.
Our souls united here.
This is our motherland.
Never mind.
We have plenty of time to think about it.
And besides, the future may be bright.
Ziyi: As the Chinese civil war
raged on, we made the
most of the happiness we had.
There are always flowers for
those who want to see them.
Hey, hey, Wanping!
Hey, I just saw Wei and Dai Chien
outside of the artist club.
They're in a frenzy from
the Civil War ending.
They're all packing up and leaving
until things settle down.
Oh, that's terrible.
No need to shout like fish
wife. Hes in the bedroom.
Packing.
Packing?
You leaving me already?
Just packing for my trip.
Our trip to Formosa.
You know, I've been helping
transition the postal service there
from Japanese control back to the Chinese.
Well, they promoted me again
for doing a halfway decent job.
And theres a ship leaving tonight.
Youre not leaving forever right?
No, just two weeks.
But why don't you come with me?
It'll be good for us.
No, no, no worries.
No kids, no war.
Just cows,
and meadows. For as far as the eye can see.
I-I can't.
I just started work at the girl's school.
They won't let me take a vacation so early.
Besides, what would I
do in such natural splendor
for two weeks?
I can't paint dragonflies
and butterflies all day.
Perhaps not, but...
You know, everything's
just so uncertain nowadays.
Who knows how long it'll be before we-
Don't say that.
Okay, we have eternity and a day.
Okay?
You're right.
Come back to me safe and sound
my dear dragonfly.
Wanping: I'm stuck here.
I am so sorry.
I never thought this would happen.
I promise I will find my way back to you.
Nothing's going to keep us apart.
I will move heaven.
I will move earth.
You wait for me.
Stay safe.
Stay alive.
But until then,
as the bright moon shines over the sea
from far away
you share this moment with me.
Ziyi: For parted lovers,
lonely nights the worst shall be.
All night long I'll think of none but the.
When will I see you
again my dearest husband?
The new government has allowed
me to come back in and settle affairs.
But all foreigners must
leave by the end of the month.
This is it for me.
For us.
Sorry.
You've shown me so many
kindnesses in the years.
I owe much of my success to your support.
Nonsense.
You earned it, Ziyi.
With hard work and sheer talent.
The honorable Wu Hufan.
I asked him to stop by.
He's one of China's most
important art collectors.
His private collection
rivals the National Gallery.
And he's a talent poet as well.
Madam Zhou Lianxia.
One of China's most accomplished
artists and a founding member
of China Women's Painting
and Calligraphy Association.
I went to one of your women's
exhibition not too long ago
and saw your work.
I was impressed by your delicacy of lines
and the subtle layers of meaning
you added with your choice
accompanying poems. Most compelling.
So you do know art?
That was my favorite too.
You know there's so many collectors
that are dilettantes that
have just not the eye...
Ziyi!
Well, well.
Talented and plainspoken!
We're going to be fast friends.
I value honesty above all else.
I beg your pardon.
Please,
everyone extolls the virtue
of honesty, then spends
half their lives politely
lying to each other.
Speak of the devil.
I see. Mr. Chen is here.
Yeah.
He's been coveting
my collection for years.
You better keep an eye
on him. Benedict: Yeah.
I was saddened to discover
you had thought every piece
at the exhibit there
was nothing left for me.
She has a few gems hidden
away somewhere, Im sure.
Its a Ming Dynasty vase!
I got to go.
They're going to destroy
the whole collection.
You break it, you buy it.
Ziyi: Dearest Wanping,
with seven mouths to feed
I've been selling my work
and the family antiques.
But there are fewer and fewer
buyers now, so money is tight.
But enough of my troubles.
Are you well?
How I missed you and wish I could send you
this small piece of my heart.
I live upstream and you downstream.
Come night to night of you I dream.
Well, Ziyi...
Since your painting
references Bada Shanrens work
should my companion poem
evoke a sense of uncertainty,
with a touch of humor.
I love it.
It's perfect.
Ziyi, I have some good news.
You know, Im the founding board member
of the Chinese Academy of Arts.
Well, a vacancy has come up in the faculty,
and I am most pleased
to be able to offer you
a junior professorship with us.
How can I ever repay you for your kindness?
This is.
Ill take that as a yes! And nonsense,
we are lucky to have
an artist of your caliber.
It is I who should thank you.
Thank you. I'm serious.
Careful.
Someone might get the wrong idea.
You know how gossipy people are.
We are blameless friends
and I don't care about
what gossip has to say.
I could have a doctor certify me.
Unfit for an affair.
You are impossible!
Students.
I have a very special honor for you today.
One of China's most talented artists
and a new art professor,
Madame Zhou Lianxia.
Art is not a thing.
It's.
It's a way, a path, an unveiling.
It's a vision.
And as artists, it's
it's it's not important
what we see, but what we can make
others see.
It's about your little Nan?
She's all grown up.
Better start thinking about arranging a
suitable marriage soon.
Let love bloom where it may.
Ziyi: Darling Husband,
food is getting scarce now.
Even rice.
So I worry for the children.
Will we get any rice today, mother?
I hope so, okay?
There will be no more rice today.
No rice today.
No, no, we haven't eaten, okay?
Good, good. Ziyi: No!
We need some, come on! Grab some!
Just a little bit bit more.
No, no, no, no... Lets go!
We got rice.
Oh, wonderful.
So little.
I gave some away to Jade.
Careful, daughter.
You cant feed everyone.
No, but...
I can feed one.
I mean, if only we could sell
all these antiques for food.
But the vendors only take
government food stamps right now.
Nana?
I need toilet paper, Nana?
Zhong annoying.
Its rationed.
Dont use it all at once.
Well, are you kidding me, Nana?
Lady Zhou: No, oh my!
Oh mom! - I was robbed, bad.
They stole all of our food stamps!
So no food for tonight
or the rest of the month?
Oh, my... Mom, are you okay?
You're really hurt. Please... just rest.
Wanna help grandma?
Its okay, we got you. Okay?
God.
Just sleep. - You will be okay.
Thank you so much.
Look, take care of Grandma.
I'm going to go find Jade
and borrow some food stamps.
Mm. No... You have a nasty scalp wound,
a concussion, and
perhaps internal bleeding.
Nope.
Please get your strength
back for your family.
No, you have to stay overnight.
No, I can't. My family has to eat.
I need to go.
They need you healthy and strong.
If you leave, you can die
from a blood clot in your brain.
Don't be foolish.
Just lay back and rest.
Let's get you cleaned up.
We will get you cleaned up.
Please, please, stay.
Stay. Just rest.
Grandma, wake up.
Please Im so hungry.
Please,
Grandma. Mommy!
What's wrong?
Are you okay?
You, my dear,
are a very foolish woman.
You almost died.
Thank goodness you have
a very sensible daughter.
Zhong ran to my place to get help.
What were you thinking?
You guys okay?
Mom, hes fine.
Grandma is still oozy, but
Jade is there with them.
Now please rest.
You can't carry the weight of the world
on your shoulders every minute.
Mom! It's a package from Mr. Morgan.
Lady Zhou: Oh, oh, oh, yes.
Come here, Mr. Morgan gave this to us.
This is... you.
You said you were going for a walk.
And didnt we walk here.
This is too much.
I mean, it's going to wipe
out half of your food stamps.
Sit. Sit.
I don't have children to
feed and more food stamps
than I can use.
Now that you recovered
from your head wound,
you need to treat yourself.
So we enjoy ourselves.
All right, boy, more food.
There you go, dig in.
Its your favorite.
17 shrimps,
a young man like you
can do better than that.
Eat... here. Pork.
Thank you.
Oh, Ziyi, the gift to send
to your other children.
No, its, it's okay.
I insist.
Please.
You've always been so kind to me.
Like my dear brother.
And you're always my dear Ziyi.
Ziyi: Dearest
husband, it's been 17 years
since we were parted. So much has changed.
Our three older boys were
away to farm with all the other students.
Our Nan is married now to a nice teacher.
And our youngest son,
clever Zhong, won first prize at school.
You would be so proud of them all.
Feel the chi, be the stillness,
be the beauty.
Feel as the breath of life flows
from your fingertips to the paintbrush.
Close your eyes and sing
Oh, we took a wrong turn, sir.
The junior artist is this way.
You. Its you.
I never forget a face.
I'll be someone someday.
Then youll pay!
You're the snobby girl artist
who was too good to paint my wares.
I don't remember that.
It doesn't sound like
something I would say.
Oh, yes it is.
I never forget a slight.
No one's too proud to serve the
great Chinese proletariat now.
It's a new Academy program.
You'll be responsible
for painting these pieces
for mass consumption for my factory.
The workers deserve beauty too!
Everyone deserves beauty.
You find me amusing?
It just seems.
It seems that I've had an appointment
with this basin for a very long time.
Just look at her.
It's senior artist painting
a common slop basin.
Why doesnt she feel more humiliated?
Perhaps she really believe
in the art for people.
Shut up.
Who asked you?
Ziyi.
Stop!
I have discovered you have
been criticizing the government.
You wrote in your famous poem.
If two hearts truly love each
other, what does it matter?
If there's no lights or moon?
You're symbolically accusing our country
of being in a dark time.
That was a poem I wrote to my husband
20 years ago, and Ive
been honoring my
students with accessible art,
Pretty words!
And you have been accused of consorting
with counterrevolutionaries?
I have not. I really
have... - Come on, come on!
Can you just, please tell
me who's accusing me?
I-I don't know what's going on.
Apply pressure,
but no permanent damage.
I'll deal with Mr. Wu myself.
All I wanted was to marry a woman like you.
To marry you.
Im... I'm married.
Oh your husbands dead.
Didnt they tell you that?
No, you're lying.
I can still feel him even
after all these years.
No, you are mine!
Why can't you accept that I love you?
That I burn for you.
No, I can never love you.
Okay.
I can make you love me.
You abuse your power for your own gain.
Not for the people!
You dishonor yourself and our country!
You are nothing but a common bully!
I am not a bully!
My eye. My eye!
All art now belongs to the people.
What?
You mean you!
You have always wanted what was mine.
Take it... all!
Its from Mr. Wu.
Lady Zhou: Oh its for you.
I was starting to worry.
Hasvent heard back from him in days!
Wu: Dear Ziyi, all my
beauties and treasures are gone.
Even your splendid gifts to me.
How can they be elite works of art
if they make everyone's heart sing?
I feel myself slipping
away to a place where
art can still color my soul
with its delicate harmony.
Oh, how I admire your strength
and faith and human goodness, dear Ziyi.
Just like the poem for
you, there will always be:
Mountains layered,
waters overlapping,
uncertain of the path.
Willows dark and flowers bright.
Once again a village.
What are you doing? Stop!
Those are valuable.
Not anymore. Now there
are ropes around our necks.
No one can them here.
What shall we do mother?
Why does it matter?
Why does anything matter?
I lost my sight.
I lost Xiaoman.
I lost your Zhimo.
I lost my dad.
And maybe your father is gone too.
So why?
Why am I still here?
This isn't like you, Ziyi.
You're the strongest,
of all of us.
Ziyi,
only in the cold winter does one know
that the pines and cypress are the last
to shed their leaves.
You're right.
And I have you all.
Ziyi: Never have I missed you.
When every day I basked
in the knowing of your gaze.
Every day I walked the winds.
Your heart beating in my hands.
Every night I dwelt in
the evening of your mouth.
In heaven's embrace...
twin souls... ablaze among the stars.
Never have I missed you.
Safe with every breath.
Oh, Nan. Come, let me help you with that.
No, I can do it. - No, no, no.
Let's spend some time together.
Remember the first one
of these you ever painted?
That must have been 20 years ago now.
Who knew then, it would become the most
popular basin in the
country, maybe the world?
Now, everyone in China has one
of your paintings in their home.
I'm proud to be your daughter, Mother.
I painted the peony your father gave me,
that first day we went courting.
Butterflies, danced on air,
the sweetest nectar.
Birds sang of love
through crystal throats.
His heart spoke
spoke a language only I could hear.
I will remember that day forever.
I wonder when love's
longing stirs us the most?
When flowers blossom,
or when the petals fall?
Love makes everything more beautiful.
Do you,
do you think father is still alive?
Of course he is.
Does he miss us like we miss him?
Oh sweetheart...
Of course he does.
Its a letter, from America!
Oh...
Since Mr. Morton has passed,
I know no one in America.
You open it.
Wanping: My dearest wife...
When will the river no
more flow. When will my grief
no more grow. I wish your
heart would be like mine.
And not in vain for you I pine.
Its been too many years since
life separated us so cruelly.
But I still hold you dearly in my heart.
I have moved to America and arranged for
you and our children to join me here.
Thank you all for coming.
This is truly a momentous occasion
where two people
have a love that grows deeper
beyond the bonds of time,
through the greatest adversity
and that love grows deeper
every single day.
And it is reaffirmed here today,
and it goes on
forever.
Too thin, my darling wife.
And you are too fat my dearest husband.
As Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles,
I am honored to present
to you this award of merit
to Zhou Lianxia,
for your excellent talent.
Nothing seems to fit here
Once it felt so safe
Our home cold and empty
I cant find my way
I still see you
When I close my eyes
Youre here with me
In our sacred place
Standing in the raindrops
Hides the tears on my face
I can hear the quiet
Asking me to stay
I still see you
When I close my eyes
Youre here with me
In our sacred place
You know I will always love you
Words Ill always say
Ive missed you so much
Ill find you someday
I close my eyes
For our sacred place
I still see you
When I close my eyes
Youre here with me
In our sacred place
When I close my eyes