Smiley...
What's 11 x 12?
132, too easy!
How about 25 x 52?
My girl's a genius!
Daddy...
Are you a good guy or a bad guy?
Why do you ask?
In my dream last night you were bad.
How bad was I?
You hit me!
Have I ever done that?
- No.
- Well, then.
But it hurt.
You know what I dreamt last night?
Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you.
Then I'll tell you.
I helped Grandma with her bath.
That's great, Smiley!
Smiley is so kind.
Grandma will be pleased.
Daddy, a quick question for you.
What's zero plus zero?
Zero.
No.
Zero plus zero equals eight.
One zero is at the top
and one at the bottom!
- Is this it?
- Yes, there's Mum's name.
Who left flowers for her?
Mum didn't have any other family.
Maybe they got the wrong grave?
Come on...
All the graves here are marked.
She must've had a close friend.
Who'd leave flowers for her?
I did.
How could it be you?
No more guesses, it was Smiley.
Come on! Get it all out in one go!
It's a ritual.
Is this OK?
We're waiting for you!
Let's do it.
First bow.
Second bow.
Third bow.
Mum, we're all here
to pay our respects.
Now let's get going.
That's it?
Mum hated faffing about. Let's go.
No use being childish now.
It took an hour to get here
and ten minutes to finish.
Are you jibing at my sister?
Would I dare?
Your father...
- You have a father, right?
- What are you on about?
I mean your birth father.
I think it was him.
I don't have a father. Get that straight!
Is your meeting over?
Daddy! Auntie's calling you!
Don't let your sister see this.
We're coming!
Smiley...
Seat belt!
It's fastened!
Daddy...
Your hand is full of earthworms.
- It looks like that.
- She has my imagination.
Mine too!
What?
Have you seen earthworms, Smiley?
Yes, when uncle took me fishing.
I even touched them!
- Right?
- Yes.
See, Smiley's like me!
Focus on driving!
LUZHU KITCHEN
Hi, Mr Gu.
Hi, Ms Beihua.
- Have you eaten?
- Nope.
Want something?
You know, girls tend to
starve themselves these days.
You're pretty skinny already.
Bon Appetit.
- I'm working.
- Sure you won't eat?
- You're back!
- I got most of the sh*ts yesterday.
- Just a few more today.
- OK, go ahead.
Thanks!
Garlic.
- Thanks.
- Makes it tastier.
These days...
only 50- or 60-year-olds...
like this food.
It makes them nostalgic.
Young people...
not including you, of course,
don't like my stuff.
It's their loss.
Take that young lady...
She's terrific.
She took photos all day yesterday.
And she's back today!
Sadly...
she doesn't like my food.
Anyhow...
- Enjoy your meal.
- Thank you.
- Can you add some coriander?
- Yes.
- Cut up the tofu.
- Yes.
From Beihua: "This is
our third collaboration,
buy me a drink."
Screening Today:
BURNING Lee Chang-Dong
Show me your feet.
Why?
Just stick them out.
Typical Beijing man.
That's right.
You've worn the same
pair three times in a row.
Lazy uncle shoes...
easy for a lazy man like me.
Don't pull back, show me.
Let me see. Stay like that.
Ms Beihua...
Can I ask what your real name is?
One drink and you're getting familiar?
I'm sorry.
No, it's fine.
OK, but my name is quite a mouthful.
Ouyang Wenhui.
Big sister...
Big sister? Have you drunk too much?
No.
It's just that...
The name has a big sister vibe to it.
Big sister vibe?
Mr Gu, is writing food
reviews getting to you?
Big sister vibe!
What's that?
What would you like me to call you?
Ouyang is OK.
Wenhui is OK. Beihua is OK too.
If you insist on "big
sister", I'll live with it.
What do you think of me?
Well...
You just dropped the honorific.
Now that's a step forward.
- That's not what I meant.
- What did you mean?
I'd just like to know...
in the eyes of a young lady like you...
what you make of me.
Middle-aged man.
Married or divorced.
That's not what I meant.
That's not what I meant.
You need a better catchphrase!
I'm sorry.
You're quite weird.
But "weird" isn't so bad.
What do you mean?
Not obnoxious.
What?
Par for the course in a middle-aged man.
I'm not weird, am I?
Calling me "big sister" isn't weird?
You've heard of Ouyang Hai?
Sure I have.
He was my hero in primary school.
Are you related?
You think everyone with
the same surname is related?
Ouyang...
It's the number one compound surname.
In the 2008 census, there
were 880,000 Ouyangs.
Probably more have been
reproduced since then.
Reproduced...
Isn't that a little vulgar?
Plain speaking isn't vulgar.
There's a mystery to compound surnames.
Zhuge Liang.
Sima Qian.
Shangguan Yunzhu.
- Ximen Qing, the womanizer.
- Very droll.
Where are you from?
That's your pickup line?
Another small step forward.
That's not what I meant. I'm just curious.
My nickname Beihua should give you a clue.
I can't guess in this state.
Beihua, the flower of the north.
I'm the "Flower of Beidaihe"!
Beidaihe...
We should maybe go there sometime?
You want to stare out to sea with me?
That's not what I meant.
First you drop the honorific.
Then you ask what I think of you.
Now you ask about my hometown
and suggest we visit it together.
Are you OK?
What the hell?
Why not use your mobile?
You don't want to disclose your number.
You're such a mystery.
Hello, who is this?
Hello, hello...
This is Gu speaking.
Who is this?
You don't...
Did you dial the wrong number?
This is Gu Yunlai. Do
you want to speak to me?
I think you have the wrong number.
I'm going to hang up.
Couldn't get through?
- Hello?
- Brother-in-law...
- It's late. You're still awake?
- Open the door.
Where are you?
Right outside.
At this time of night...
Open up.
You've been drinking?
- Just one peek and I'll go.
- Tomorrow, OK?
Just one peek.
If you wake up Smiley,
your sister will be furious.
Get out!
Sister, you're a light sleeper!
You're drunk! Get out!
Happy now?
Scram!
Come on!
You just slip me a note
with no follow-up?
It's a long story.
Start from how you met Gu Yunlai.
It was at least 20 years ago.
Impossible!
I was five, my sister thirteen.
Mum threw Gu Yunlai out.
Does my sister know about this?
I'd never tell her.
She'd k*ll me if she found out.
Go on.
Not long after I married your sister,
Gu Yunlai came to me wanting to talk.
He spoke of your sister's bad temper,
how she got it from her mother.
He urged me to tolerate it.
I asked where he was living.
He said in Beidaihe.
He visited Beijing twice a year.
He contacted me
so that I could reach him in an emergency.
I don't get it,
why did he turn to you?
An outsider monk chants the best sutras.
Traitor!
You were the one who told him Mum d*ed?
What else have you told him?
Not much.
Your wedding, Smiley's birth.
That's about it.
He visits Beijing twice a year.
On your and your sister's birthdays.
He takes a quick look and leaves.
He always comes by bike.
It's nearly 300 km.
Why?
He won't use public transport.
He asked you to give me his number?
No.
I thought it's time to let you know.
Soon after Mum d*ed,
he paid another visit.
- By bike.
- Yes.
I offered to drive him back. He said no.
He wanted to ride back slowly,
stay in hostels on the way.
It took him three or four days.
He wanted me to persuade you
to drink less.
Or better yet, to stop drinking.
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8.
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8.
1, 2, 3, 4...
I just had a dream.
You were dancing with some woman.
Your moves were enchanting.
- Morning, Brother Gu.
- Morning.
Modelling job coming up?
No.
I've had no bookings for a month.
But...
I gotta stay in practice.
Excuse me!
Sorry, I can't see behind me.
Excuse me, it was my fault.
You don't look too good.
Really?
Do what I do, walk backward.
It gives your spirit a lift.
Thank you.
Hot coffee.
These sh*ts are pretty good.
Look who took them!
- Have you been inside?
- Where?
There.
Sure I have.
I grew up in this neighborhood.
When did you first come here?
Don't remember, I was too young.
Most likely...
when my dad still carried me.
How old is he now?
He's kicked the bucket.
That's...
pretty disrespectful to your own dad.
Stick out your foot.
- Why?
- Just do it.
Copying me?
In my dream last night,
this is how you danced.
You know that's a shadowless tower?
Meaning what?
It's a tall tower,
but it casts no shadow,
whatever the time of day.
No way.
There must be a shadow.
In theory, yes.
But we can't see it from this distance.
- How far away is it?
- Very far.
Somewhere on the Tibetan Plateau.
You're kidding.
Where are we going?
You'll see.
Come on!
Scared?
Do you have a reservation?
No, but can we see the room first?
OK, what kind of room do you want?
I saw online that you have
an attic room with windows.
- Can we see that one?
- The loft? - Yes.
A LOVER'S DISCOURSE:
FRAGMENTS by Roland Barthes
- It's available.
- Fine, let's take a look. - Sure.
You don't want to see it?
Go yourself. If it suits you, that's fine.
OK.
I'm sorry, I have a sprained ankle.
Could you go up by yourself?
OK.
- Yes?
- That's mine.
Sorry.
You like philosophy books?
- Is that a problem?
- That's not what I meant.
The title is kind of misleading.
Where are you from?
- A small town.
- Whereabouts?
You know Yibin?
Home of Yibin spicy noodles!
Most people think
of the Wu Liang Ye liquor.
How's the room?
Something came up, we'll
come back another day.
- You two were getting on well.
- What do you mean?
You and that girl.
Pretty, huh?
- Has it always looked like this?
- What?
It's a bit weird.
What's weird?
It looks overly retouched.
It was all repainted
a couple of years ago.
Repainted...
And the insides?
Take a look at my place sometime.
I was just curious. Why
would I go to your place?
- You don't want to look inside?
- What's it like?
All white.
White walls, white tiles.
- It looks similar...
- Similar to?
Similar to?
- This looks untouched.
- Sooner or later...
- This is Guangji Temple?
- Yes.
Where are you going?
Which prayers work best in Guangji Temple?
- Marriage prayers.
- Ever prayed here?
No.
That explains your divorce.
How do you know I'm divorced?
Just a guess.
You're back!
You want the loft?
- Yes.
- Your IDs, please.
ID.
Thank you.
- I'll check in, he can go up first.
- Fine.
The key?
Go up first.
Hello?
What's up, Dad?
Is Mom cross with you again?
Yeah, I'm at work.
Miss, your ID.
Can't talk now. OK, bye.
The second room key.
Is my boyfriend too old?
Pretty obvious, isn't it?
I drew the short straw.
In love with yourself?
I'm what?
Staring at yourself in the mirror.
Isn't that narcissistic?
Then I'll stare at you.
Stick with the mirror.
You're in the mirror.
I want to kiss you.
May I?
- What are you doing?
- No peeking.
And no tongue.
I'm kissing you, not vice versa.
Remember that.
Considerate...
What?
You chewed gum?
Are you going to sit there all day?
I don't want to do it.
Do you mind?
Do what?
Don't pretend you don't know.
What have I done now?
I just want to stay still. Do nothing.
You resemble someone.
Who?
Not telling you.
All white...
White walls, white tiles.
What did you say your place looks like?
A hospital.
Sorry, brother-in-law, are you asleep?
Sorry, brother-in-law, are you asleep?
Look at the time! What's wrong with you?
Speed trap in 700 meters.
I don't know what it is,
but I can't get to sleep.
I'm on my way to Beidaihe.
Hello? This is Gu speaking.
Who's calling?
Did you dial the wrong number?
My name is Gu Yunlai.
Is it me you want?
Sorry...
I'm about to go out.
I'll be back at noon.
I don't use a mobile.
If it's important,
try again this afternoon.
Sorry...
I'm hanging up.
Shall we go to see him now?
No, it's too early.
And it's still raining.
You rarely visit and I'm rarely free.
Maybe I can host you
another time, Mr Hou...
It's time...
Mrs Hua, you are a model wife.
You're too good to Mr Hua.
But the way he treats you...
LAST PLAYED POSITION
I hate Daddy!
He was late last time too. What happened?
Your dad loves you most of all!
Then why isn't he here?
What is it?
Oh, my big head!
I'm not scared of rain.
Big heads aren't scared of rain.
Rain all day, but I've got my head.
Rain all day, but I've got my head.
Smiley!
Bye!
Smiley! Sorry, Daddy's late.
Brother-in-law,
have you been waiting long?
- Your daughter doesn't love you.
- Sure I do!
- Are you upset?
- Uncle can drive.
We'll go in the back.
- Daddy...
- Take off your satchel.
I'll test you. See if you know it or not.
Big head, not scared of the rain.
Big head, not scared of the rain.
- Guess!
- What's next?
- Rain all day...
- "Rain all day..."
- I've got my big head!
- "I've got my big head!"
I'll win!
- What's 7 plus 8?
- Five...
Fifteen!
- How did you know you'd win?
- Not too fast!
What's up?
Sorry, in the rush I
forgot to fill the t*nk.
OK, but remember to notify me next time.
And stop calling
in the middle of the night!
I'll try.
Where did you go?
On Smiley's birthday,
why did you give her a kite?
I give her whatever I like.
Daddy...
Will you eat at my place tonight?
Your place?
Yes!
Auntie's house is my place, right?
Of course.
That's my girl!
Dad's busy, so I can't come tonight.
How about the weekend?
Definitely.
- Let's fly the kite!
- OK, we will.
5 plus 8.
3...
Jiajia, minding the shop today?
Yes, Grandma's out on errands.
- You really want to pay?
- Sure!
I don't charge handsome guys like you!
- You can't eat on looks alone.
- Sure about that?
- Can we take a selfie?
- Why not?
You look like one of my idols.
Who?
Ryuichi Sakamoto.
Brother Gu...
It's too hard to make a living here.
It's hard everywhere.
Sorry, Brother Gu...
I still owe you last month's rent.
It's OK.
Pay me when you have some money.
Brother Gu...
You really are a good man.
What's this for?
It's a mic...
to sing songs.
Get up.
Get up.
Swear in your hometown dialect.
Swear!
Brother Gu...
I don't know how to.
Do it and you'll be able to.
Wang Xiaochuan!
You're a real bastard!
A worthless piece of sh*t!
You're...
Xiaochuan...
I'm not really swearing at you.
It's not about you.
I just want you to do the right thing.
The payment for that gig...
It's three months overdue!
I got you some cooking oil.
You can't live on instant noodles.
Brother Gu...
Can I give you a hug?
What happened to our g*ng?
They're all dead?
Our last reunion was a few years ago.
But each time there are fewer of us.
Our time is over!
That's a depressing point of view.
I'll say something heartfelt.
I truly admire Gu.
Are you OK? How am I admirable?
Look at you.
First, you're a "solitary gourmet".
Nothing much to do
each day. Never in a rush.
You're stylish, even compared to me.
Second, look at the rest of us.
Who else isn't divorced?
He's the exception. Still hitched.
And for those two reasons I admire you.
You're a real-estate
mogul and you're in tears?
Why are you crying?
A rich guy can still cry, alright?
Cry!
Crying is a human right!
Brother...
I'm four times divorced!
My ancestors must be distraught.
I'm a professional divorcer.
How shabby!
How shabby!
Stop picking on each other.
You're all divorced.
But this old maid
hasn't even been married.
Never mind. I'll find you a good one.
She was the flower of our g*ng!
Screw that.
I'm a wrinkled old lady now.
Come...
A toast to bachelorhood!
To being single!
What are you doing?
To be honest...
I'm divorced too.
- When did that happen?
- Two years ago.
Dog biters don't bark.
You didn't bark at all.
Have you ever seen a man bite a dog?
I'll show you what it means tonight.
- Where are you going?
- To chat with your brother.
Woof! Woof! Woof!
You don't stammer when you bark.
Get real, it's just one word.
Dongzi...
Your sister... Is she OK?
You're sitting next to her!
Ask her yourself!
How can I?
Don't you think it's strange?
She's so terrific, but still single.
Can you believe it?
You're divorced, right?
Maybe you two could make a go of it.
You have the gift of the gab.
When did you learn to speak like that?
Gu!
Look who's here!
Old Mu!
Son calling Dad!
My sons, are you all here today?
A bunch of losers.
Plus me, "a leftover flower".
When will you come back to Beijing?
What's so great about Paris?
I'm old, why would I come back?
You haven't been back in 30 years!
You had this great homecoming dream.
During our last dinner in Paris
he kept going on about
Beijing in his childhood.
Old Mu, if you stay away much longer,
it's not that you won't recognize Beijing,
- And Beijing will forget you.
- No mistake.
OK... Show me what you're drinking.
Hang on...
See!
The greatest!
- Damn, Erguotou (Beijing liquor)!
- See that?
You've all forgotten your roots!
Yeah, you know all about roots!
Do you still write poems?
Not at all.
Old Mu, I'll sing you a song.
Here goes.
He's crazy.
Winter's come,
with ice and snow.
But my heart doesn't change
like the seasons.
Time will bring new clothes,
but my baggage is the same.
Waving goodbye for 14
years, the smile of old.
Another language and
skin tone, a great distance.
We'll wait for you,
regardless of the distance.
Long distance separates
no close friends.
Put aside all reservations.
Make yourself at home.
How many memories
does the music trigger?
A myriad words merge
with a myriad places.
Win or lose, friendship endures.
Beijing welcomes you,
hugs you again.
Millennia of brilliance, never dimmed.
Beijing welcomes you,
let's dream together.
So long apart, now happily reunited.
Spring follows winter,
sunlight thaws the distance.
Brothers join you for hot tea and wine.
Beijing welcomes you,
hugs you again.
A place teeming
with growth and vitality.
Is she your daughter?
She's adorable.
- Say thank you.
- Thank you!
You're welcome, how old are you?
- Four.
- Four years old!
You know, you're beautiful.
Say thank you to this pretty sister!
- Thank you!
- You're welcome.
- May I ask you a question?
- Go ahead.
Is she your birth child?
What the hell do you want?
Nothing, I'm just curious.
Are you crazy?
You're "just curious"?
We're a family!
- You ask if this is my own child?
- Stop the train!
- Let's go.
- What are you doing?
Why are we getting off? It should be her!
- Let's go, darling.
- What's wrong with you?
She's lost her mind, this person!
5, 6, 7, 8.
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8.
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8...
There's a birds' nest here.
Has been for years.
- Here you are.
- Long time no see, Nan Ji.
What? You've just been here.
Teacher Gu, can I ask you something?
What is it?
Why did you get divorced?
- I'll bring you a coffee.
- Fine.
Out of respect.
Respect...
The two of us were too polite
to even do it.
Then...
Time for a divorce.
I think all my romances
have foundered on too much politeness.
That's right.
What is?
You were in my dream last night.
Looking just how you look now.
Why do you keep dreaming about me?
- You don't dream about me?
- No.
Then I'm just a loser.
If I see someone a lot during the day,
they show up in my dreams.
- Thanks.
- For what?
For dreaming about me.
You're really polite.
What do you make of Nan Ji?
- Huh?
- What do you make of her?
Nan Ji...
Strange name, don't you think?
- It's her nickname.
- What's her real name?
Ask her yourself.
How did you two meet?
My first love lived in Paris.
They were flat mates there.
Maybe more than flat mates?
Your imagination is running away with you.
A lovely father-daughter couple!
What?
Since when are
we a father-daughter couple?
Someone said you look like her dad.
And you look like my mother.
So we're getting on well.
Why did you open your studio here?
It's close to the White Dagoba.
You like the Dagoba?
My ancestors helped build it.
Back in the Yuan Dynasty?
Really?
I made it up.
Where were you yesterday?
You ignored my texts.
Went to Beidaihe.
Didn't you say we should go together?
Next time.
You wanted me to take you.
- No loss to me.
- OK...
Gotta go, see ya.
Where are you going?
Hi, Uncle!
- You're back, Miss.
- Yes
CHAOYANG CHILDREN'S
WELFARE CENTRE
Who are you looking for?
I'm with that young woman.
Ah, together. Are you related?
I'm her father.
Her father.
You're lucky to have such a daughter.
What do you mean?
She's our longest-serving volunteer.
Been coming here for years.
May I come in?
Or should I wait outside?
No need for that, come on in.
Thank you.
KINDRED SPIRITS BRING HOPE
Leaves from the trees
leave branches bare.
Before, we had carpets
of grass and spring light.
Now it's chilly and autumn is here.
Blustery winds, torrential rain.
Everything we see is different.
Everything is different.
We look back in sorrow.
Let's sing it again from the start.
Ready, go!
The willow sways in the autumn breeze.
Leaves from the trees
leave branches bare.
Before, we had carpets
of grass and spring light.
Now it's chilly and autumn is here.
Blustery winds, torrential rain.
Everything we see is different.
Everything is different.
We look back in sorrow.
You gave me a real surprise.
What?
"Doing a good deed isn't hard.
"
Doing them for a lifetime is harder."
Chairman Mao said it.
I just like kids. "Doing
them for a lifetime..."
Not easy, not easy.
You went to Beidaihe.
Isn't that your hometown?
- I haven't been there in a long time.
- How long?
Since I was five.
Haven't been back since then.
I thought your family still lived there.
When I was five we moved to Guangdong.
But it is strange...
When anyone asks where I'm from,
I always say Beidaihe.
You didn't pick up a Cantonese accent!
Not only Beijingers
speak Mandarin.
Southerners can speak Mandarin too!
But can Beijingers speak Cantonese?
If you don't mind me asking...
It's so strange
to hear you speak Cantonese!
Spooked?
This bus is going out of service.
Please change to the bus right behind.
Isn't that uncomfortable?
It's OK.
- Come closer.
- What?
Put your arm around me!
Damn pervert!
Get your stinking hand off me!
Creep!
Stop the bus! Don't open the door!
You know what my dad was like?
Why ask that all of a sudden?
What was he like?
Like the guy you just saw.
Which guy?
The molester on the bus.
When I was five, in October that year...
my dad molested a woman on a bus.
sh*t.
Sexual harassment.
Shameful.
My Mum said
it was worse than being
charged with m*rder.
She kicked him out of the house.
He wasn't allowed to come near us again.
Could it have been a misunderstanding?
Dad furiously denied it.
But the woman was sure it was him.
He got a year in a labor camp.
We never heard from him again.
What was your dad like?
What's that to do with you?
Just curious.
An honest, low-level clerk.
Now retired.
Mom bosses him around all day.
That sounds lovely.
No photos of me!
You're trying to steal my job!
Steal my job!
Let me see.
- I look like a little hooligan.
- Accurate, eh?
I guess so.
You don't need to pay.
You don't need to
pay. You're still in credit.
Take it.
OK, I'll put it on your tab.
I thought you didn't smoke?
It's for a friend.
I have to go.
You should get a smartphone.
No one uses cash anymore.
- I'll think about it.
- OK.
Hello, Beijing Uncle!
You are...
I'm Jinzi!
Jinzi...
We were neighbors for a long time.
Jinzi, Old Li's daughter.
Oh, Li's daughter.
How's your dad doing?
He's fine, but a bit forgetful these days.
He sometimes even forgets his daughter.
That's what happens when people get old.
- Who's this?
- My husband.
Hello, Uncle.
Looks like your dad.
I looked for someone of that type!
I'm showing him where I grew up.
Would you like to come in?
Just wanted to see you,
we have things to do.
Fine.
- So sad.
- Why?
He has no kids. Lived alone all his life.
Is that so bad?
What's wrong with you?
What are you thinking?
This is Beijing at 4:08.
A sharp, long
train whistle sounds.
Beijing Station's towering edifice
convulses without warning.
Shaken,
I look out of the windows
not knowing what's going on.
My heart shudders in pain.
It must be my mother's sewing needle
running through my heart.
At this moment
my heart transforms into a kite.
Tethered to her hands
the string tightens,
almost snapping.
I have to stick my head
out of the train window.
Only now...
Only at this very moment
do I begin to understand
what has happened.
A wave of parting shouts
is about to sweep away
the train station.
Beijing is still under my feet,
but it slowly begins to drift away.
Once more I wave to Beijing.
And I want to grab her by the collar
and shout to her:
"Remember me, forever,
Mother Beijing!"
I've grasped something at last.
No matter whose hand it is,
I'll never let go.
For this is my Beijing.
My Beijing, for the final time.
Wenhui?
How are your stocks doing?
Let's not go there.
Stocks go down, my blood pressure goes up.
I warned you, but you invested anyway.
Easy for you to say that now.
Has your brother found a girlfriend?
Who cares?
He was probably too bored.
No gossip?
Nothing to tell me?
Shut up and focus on the cooking!
You don't care about any of us.
I don't care about anyone
at all, except Smiley.
Smiley, when was this marked?
Last September.
Let's check how tall you are now.
You've grown quite a lot!
Don't tell!
Stand up straight...
Let's see how tall you are now.
One, two, three...
- Two.
- Only two centimeters.
- Two, three centimeters.
- Call it three!
Daddy, one day I'll grow taller than you.
Let's see.
You're less than one meter! Look at me.
- I've got to 120 cm!
- You're 120 cm!
Smiley is much, much taller than Daddy.
Daddy...
How tall is Mum?
She's 165 cm.
How much taller is that than I am?
Around 40 cm taller than Smiley.
40 cm...
Shall I read you another poem?
You're 40 cm taller, so read page 140.
What a way to choose!
- 30...
- Let's see which poem is on page 140.
"A Bouquet".
Between me and the world.
You are a bay, a sail.
The faithful ends of a rope.
- Smiley!
- Yes?
Come and eat with Daddy!
- Coming!
- Coming.
- Use the highchair.
- I'm not a toddler anymore!
Smiley can sit where she wants.
Coming up!
No reading while eating.
No eating while reading.
How did she learn to talk like you?
Always blaming me.
Daddy, I heard you used to be a poet.
Yes, your Daddy writes poems.
Here's one he wrote...
Dark nights render me
a pair of dark eyes,
but I use them to seek the light.
Gu Cheng wrote that!
You can't fool Smiley.
No one can remember your Daddy's poems.
Daddy...
You haven't eaten here for ages.
Really?
Yes. Is Daddy super busy?
Super busy! The busiest man in the world.
My colleagues like your
reviews on social media.
They try out the
restaurants you write about.
Do you eat in them? It's all just hype.
My Dad is the real sh*t!
Smiley, don't use such words!
She gets it from you!
Don't try to deny it!
Who was that girl?
Which girl?
The one you were with on Wusi Street.
Never seen you look happier.
- You took photos of each other.
- We work together.
She does the photos for my reviews.
Those photos look great.
Daddy's got a girlfriend!
She even does your Henan accent!
- Spot on!
- Spot on!
One time he came to Beijing,
he looked up the officer
who handled his case.
Why?
He wanted to straighten things out.
He said the officer was a kind man.
Didn't he get a year in a labor camp?
Your dad denied the charge.
That was a serious crime back then.
The officer went easy on your dad.
Hadn't he been drinking?
Yes.
And that made it harder to disprove.
It was "harassment under the influence".
Did they ever meet face-to-face?
The officer said
that the woman tried to find him.
She wasn't certain
that the offender was your dad.
But when they did a re-enactment
she didn't know what was going on
and accused your dad outright.
She felt guilty
and tried to get in touch with your dad.
And then?
They couldn't find your dad.
So they called your mother.
She just yelled at them.
We divorced long ago! Don't call me again!
So my dad
never confronted that woman?
By the time
your dad looked up the officer,
the woman had already passed away.
That ended it.
- I met that officer myself.
- And?
He had dementia.
Why didn't you tell me this before?
I only just found out!
Couldn't sh**t off my
mouth without checking.
I'm accountable to your family.
Now you know it all. Don't ask me again.
My sister...
saw us together on Wusi Street.
And?
You and she have the same name.
Wenhui.
Yes.
That explains it.
You were five when you left Beidaihe.
So how long has it been?
20 years.
I guess you don't remember your home.
I do.
I remember it clearly.
What was it like?
Nothing like your place.
What?
Not like a hospital.
See that?
What?
The man flying the kite.
And?
That's my dad.
- Let's go and say hello.
- Don't!
I'm going.
- If you do, I'll leave.
- Leave, then!
Hello.
Hello.
You sound like a Beijinger.
And you?
I was born here.
But I moved to Guangdong as a child.
Born here?
Guangdong is far, never been there.
Am I in your way?
You're a photographer?
You might say that.
If I get in your way, just say so.
I can fly my kite anywhere.
You're too polite.
- Don't be too polite to me either.
- I won't.
When did you first fly a kite?
In my thirties.
After I had a son.
I looked for ways to play with him,
and I chose the kite.
Why kite-flying?
Back then we lived near Tiananmen Square.
In the evenings you could see
all kinds of kites in the sky there.
You can feel the wind in the kite string.
It's fun.
What about your son?
Did he like flying kites, too?
Don't know.
Maybe not so much.
But I got hooked on it.
I can tell.
There was an orphanage
by the shipyard there.
I know, they moved out long ago.
I heard it'd be demolished
I was sent there soon after I was born.
At the age of five
I was adopted by a family in Guangdong.
May I ask what you did for a living?
I handled an abacus.
Huh?
Accounting.
Tell me honestly.
No point in denying anything.
I really didn't touch her.
You could have plea bargained,
couldn't you?
Yes.
But I couldn't confess
to something I didn't do.
Hadn't you been drinking?
Yes, I had.
But even so, I'm not that kind of man.
Can you handle liquor?
Not so well.
You'd been drinking.
Do you remember what happened?
Not clearly.
I felt dizzy. I don't remember.
There we have it.
No one forced you to tell a lie.
You just need to dig into your own soul.
Can you say from the depths of your soul
that you've never felt that impulse?
Deep in my soul...
I can't say for certain...
that my thoughts are always pure.
Look...
The deeper you examine your soul,
the more you'll change.
Come back. Carry on confessing!
What time is it?
Thank you for visiting me.
How do you feel about Mum?
I'm grateful to her.
If she hadn't thrown me out,
you and your sister
wouldn't have the lives you have today.
Don't you think it was unjust?
Unjust...
But just too.
It's not good to drink.
You should drink less, too.
Dad...
You like ballroom dancing?
Watching it, not doing it.
Dad, can you stand up?
Dad...
Your veins look like earthworms.
That's what you said when you were little.
Dad...
- Smiley reminds me of you.
- What?
She's good at maths.
Dad, why don't you have a mobile?
The landline is enough for me.
I don't need a mobile.
Dad, you like Shangguan Yunzhu?
Yes.
Ah...
Why did you decide to live here?
When you were learning to walk,
I brought you here.
No wonder!
Huh?
Nothing.
You couldn't manage whole sentences yet.
But when you faced the sea,
you said these words
clearly and decisively...
This is my home.
It startled me.
And that's why?
Hello?
What makes you suddenly call me?
Are you nearby?
OK.
I'll come out now.
You rarely visit.
What is it? Let's talk inside.
No, I don't want people to talk.
You're being overcautious.
In school, weren't you
best friends with Old Mu?
What's up?
Did he tell you we had a fling?
Well...
I don't recall the details.
He kept it very quiet.
It happened just before he left for Paris.
You two would have made a great couple.
Why didn't you follow him?
Follow him?
He was a coward.
I didn't think much of him.
Should I talk to him for you?
What is there to say?
I came by to tell you
that he took his own life this morning.
How did you get back?
Took the train.
Upset?
No.
Why have you come out dressed like that?
An old classmate dropped by.
I saw her off and came straight over.
To free your spirit?
Lu Xun once lived here.
This building.
Which of his writings
has made the deepest impression on you?
In my backyard
there are two trees.
One is a jujube tree
and the other is a jujube tree, too.
Autumn Night by Lu Xun.
HOPING TO FIND
TALENTED PEOPLE FROM CHINA
Dad, don't rush me, I want to watch.
Dad, wasn't that a great move?
Hey, fellas...
Isn't this girl something?
She brings her dad to watch chess.
If our wives were here,
they'd be scolding us!
She'd hit you with those slippers!
That's for sure.
No, I'm not her father.
Dad, what are you saying?
Fella...
You're going too far.
You daughter clearly likes watching chess.
If you don't, that's not a problem.
But you can't disown your own daughter!
She's a great kid, isn't she?
What kind of man are you?
I can't stand types like him.
You never wanted me.
Now you've acknowledged me at last.
But you deny me?
What kind of guy is he?
A bad penny.
You see? I know that at a glance.
Am I right?
He looks like that kind of guy.
Enough! We feel that way sometimes.
I know too well.
Young lady, move along with your father.
If you don't want to watch, let's go.
Fellas, what are you thinking?
Take a better look at yourselves!
In real life treat your wife
and kids well!
Play chess!
Let's go.
HOME COOKING
- Angry with me?
- No.
But you are angry!
Never mind.
You're a good actress.
S-o-r-r-y.
Forget it.
I'm not used to shows of respect
from you.
OK.
Let's leave out the politeness.
I went to that building you mentioned.
It's derelict.
Did you stand in front of a wild flower?
How did you know?
The "Beihua".
The flower of Beidaihe.
What are you on about?
You must have secretly watched me.
Your dad...
is quite respectful too.
What did you talk about?
Nothing much.
I watched him fly the kite.
But...
his way of being polite...
is different from yours.
Don't drink too much.
If I go on drinking, I might cry.
Did something happen today?
Something good.
My first love called me
while I was at the seaside.
From Paris?
Paris.
We were childhood sweethearts, you know.
The two of us.
He cheated on me a couple of years ago
and dumped me.
I promised myself
I'd never see him again.
But then he called me.
In tears, the whole works.
Said his girl ran off with someone else.
Stay cool about it.
He wanted me to be his rebound girl!
To hell with cool!
No respect at all!
- Said we should get back together.
- What did you say?
I stupidly went along with it.
He's on a flight right now.
Lands in Beijing tomorrow.
You should think about it.
Maybe I didn't mention it,
but he's an orphan.
Orphan?
Yes.
An orphan.
You don't know what an orphan is, do you?
Where are our shadows?
Shadows?
Look...
The cat has a shadow.
The streetlamp casts a shadow.
But what about ours?
Maybe...
Maybe our shadows...
got left behind in Beidaihe.
Can I give you a hug?
Smiley... You're missing Mum.
So why not go visit her?
Maybe I saw things
Mum didn't want me to see.
Why are you talking in riddles?
You want to know what I saw?
- No.
- I trust Grandma.
What did Grandma say?
Grandma told me
to always treat Daddy well.
Good advice.
Daddy?
Is my kite flying higher than the rest?
It is.
Smiley's kite is the highest of the lot.
Unreel the string and
let it fly even higher.
Yes, slowly does it.
I wish both of you true happiness.
Cousin, you love poking fun.
Was I making a joke?
SHANGGUAN YUNZHU
RETROSPECTIVE
What about Ouyang?
Haven't you called her?
She's young.
She probably has things of her own to do.
You mean I'm old?
Sorry, that's not what I meant.
Then what did you mean?
She dropped by this morning.
On her own?
No.
With her friend from Paris.
Her ex-boyfriend.
Gossip spreads fast.
I heard you shared a place with her ex.
May I ask a discourteous question?
How about a courteous one?
Did you two sleep together?
Almost.
I'm sorry.
My ancestors really helped
build the White Dagoba.
I wasn't kidding.
Nan Ji is your nickname.
What's your real name?
Siqin Gaowa.
Then you're a Mongol.
Life is a play,
a play that never ends.
Sometimes it's sad,
sometimes it's happy.
Most precious of all are the audience.
Oh yes,
they're the most precious of all!
They cry many tears,
or crease up with laughter.
They follow the characters,
who are sometimes tragic,
sometimes funny.
The audience completely
forget themselves.
Forget themselves!
If you want to compare
who acts best of all,
you outshine the actor!
Every member of the audience
admires you.
Cha cha cha!
Life is a play,
a play that never ends.
Sometimes it's loving,
sometimes it's hateful.
Every member of the audience
admires you.
Everyone admires you.
If you want to compare
who acts best of all,
you outshine the actor!
Every member of the audience
admires you.
Cha cha cha!
Life is a play...
It stinks of liquor in here!
Why are you still asleep?
Sister...
Why are you here?
I have some news for you.
What is it?
Smiley's Mom is in hospital.
I've heard.
It's confirmed as cancer.
Cancer.
Stage 4... You should visit her.
I dreamed of Gu Yunlai last night.
He was watering our tree.
Before the incident
I always thought he was
the best dad in the world.
Haven't you thought of forgiving him?
If he hadn't been so
good before, I might have.
I don't know how to put it.
It makes me feel...
that I've lost faith in the world.
I don't know why...
but I feel I'm becoming more like Dad.
You're brooding too much.
You need to be strong.
Sister...
I want to hug you.
PEKING UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Mr Gu?
Yes.
I'm Zhang Xinmin.
Please come in.
Ah, you're here.
Quite heavy snow outside.
I only found out when I was on my way.
Strange weather for spring.
How are you?
Fine.
That's Zhang Xinmin.
We've met.
Would you mind stepping out for a bit?
I want to talk to Smiley's dad.
Fine.
How's Smiley?
She's good.
I can bring her with me next time.
Absolutely not.
I'm pleased she's with your sister.
Let's move to where there's more light.
I can manage.
I've been lying down all day.
Have a seat.
Anything I can help with?
You're being too polite again.
I read your articles the other day.
The ones on food.
- Good writing!
- Just trivial stuff.
- Do you still write poems?
- Not for a long time.
I'm just a foodie now.
Nothing wrong with foodies.
Too bad I have no appetite.
Gu Cheng was born here, did you know?
Yes.
You were born here, too.
Unfortunately, I'll die here.
Don't think too much.
Keep on with the chemo,
there's still hope.
Are you still living at your Mum's place?
Yes.
I came down hard on you back then.
I just threw you out.
- Financially doing okay?
- Not bad.
I'm in Mum's old room
The other room's rented out.
I won't starve. Don't worry.
You're being too polite again.
Too much politeness...
builds a wall between people.
Give me your glasses.
What?
Give them to me.
I cheated on you first, did you know?
I did.
Did you care?
It's all in the past.
It doesn't matter anymore.
But I care.
When I was pregnant with Smiley,
it wasn't you that I loved.
So when she was born,
I couldn't give her love either.
I'm a bad mother.
- Thanks for visiting her.
- It's my duty.
They say you teach Korean.
Yes, Korean.
I heard your Korean is
better than your Chinese.
My Chinese isn't too bad.
Could you say something in Korean?
Just one word is OK.
- Why?
- I just want to hear it.
Sarang.
- What does it mean?
- Love.
- Sa...
- Sarang.
Sarang.
I'll be going.
Hang on...
There's a word in Uyghur
that sounds exactly the same.
What does it mean?
Fool.
Shadowless Tower, The (2023)
Moderator: Maskath3