Eye, The (2002)

[bunniefuu]

Some people say this world is ugly

yet it is beautiful

at the same time.

I don't know if they are right,

but

I'm about to see the world

with fresh eyes.

Wong Kar Mun, I'm giving you

a local anesthetic now.

The operation will take

about 2 hours.

Are you ready?

Who's that?

Quiet! We don't want

to alarm the nurses.

I am in the bed next to yours.

I heard that you just had

an eye operation.

I've had many operations here.

I know the whole hospital.

They are all nice to me.

How old are you?

Why so many operations?

I'm 11. I should have been

in junior high by now,

but my mother says

I have a brain tumor

which affects my nerves...

That's why I pass out all the time.

They have to remove it.

But it's so large and dangerous

they have to operate many times.

So I skipped school last year

and stayed here ever since.

You're so young, yet so brave!

Once you can see again,

I'll take you out to play.

The world is really beautiful.

Wong Kar Mun, when I remove

the bandages from your eyes,

it might hurt a little at first.

If it hurts too much, let me know.

We can always do it tomorrow.

Now, let's try.

Open your eyes slowly.

Hey, don't force yourself

if it hurts.

It hurts!

Is it too painful?

Dr Lo, she must be in a lot of pain!

She hasn't cried out

in pain ever since she was a kid!

Grandma, let Dr Lo do his job.

Please don't worry about it.

Very few patients experience


immediate success

It takes time...

...for the eye and brain

to work together.

Come on!

Ying Ying.

Ying Ying.

Hi, can you see now?

I'm Ying Ying.

Can you really see me?

I think I can see. I'm not sure.

Great! You can see!

Nurse, she can see!

Nurse,

her eyes are working!

She sees me! Come quick!

Grandma!

The hospital called!

What?

Mun can see!

Really?

Let's go to the hospital now!

Are you going to discharge me now?

Not so soon.

Every cornea recipient starts

off near-sighted...

by as much as 1,000 degrees.

Only when your eye muscles

are able to adapt,

will this falls to about

200 degrees.

When will she have perfect

eyesight then?

No one has perfect eyesight.

Most people are near-sighted

by about 100 degrees.

Does that mean...

...she will need to wear glasses?

That won't be necessary

All she needs for the moment

is a pair of sunglasses.

Mun, get some rest.

If everything goes well,

you can be released early.

You can take off your

sunglasses now.

Try to get used to the

light gradually.

If you feel pain,

or if your eyes start watering,

then you should close your eyes,

and let your eyes rest.

Here, I'll help you onto bed.

Nurse.

Is there a mirror

in every washroom?

I'll take you there.

Here.

Slowly.

Take your time and call me

if you need anything.

Who's that?

Ying Ying, is that you?

Why are you so quiet?

I'm having another operation

tomorrow.

You promised to take me out

once I can see.

You promised to take me out...

...once I can see

We'll go out and have fun...

...after your operation.

Did they say you can leave

the hospital already?

Not yet!

But even if I do, I can always

drop by for a visit.

Let's take a picture together.

Let's do it outside! Alright.

Let's go... But where?

Let's go that way!

What's this?

A camera.

Camera?

Now, look this way.

Ok.

Ready... 1, 2, 3!

Madam, are you alright?

Hello...

I'm freezing...

Send this one to Block C.

We have a full-house in Block B.

Nurse...

did the old lady pass away?

Yes, we've taken her away.

But last night...

I saw someone drop by to visit her.

They even went out together.

Are you sure?

We don't allow any visitors

here at night.

Where's Ying Ying?

She went for an operation

this morning.

Dr. Lo preferred that

you stay for two more days...

but because I'll be away on flight

duty for two weeks.

No one will be able

to pick you up then.

It was easier to have you

discharged now.

This way

you and grandma can spend more

time together.

My... it's already 3 p.m.!

Hope this place is easy to find...

...hope we won't be too late

We're only 10 minutes late

for our appointment.

I have to leave for work soon.

I'm sorry.

Dr. Lo just stepped out

for a few minutes.

Ok.

There he is.

Is my 3 o'clock here?

Yes, they are.

Mun, let's go.

Let me introduce you

to the nature of my work.

From now on,

I am Ms Wong Kar Mun's

psychotherapist.

Since Ms Wong lost her sight

at the age of two,

her visual vocabulary

is extremely limited,

and she has probably forgotten

most of that.

Lets' say.

Ms Wong, could you please

remove your glasses?

And let your eyes get used

to the light.

Can you tell me what's in my hand?

You'll recognize that

it's a stapler...

...once you touch it.

Because all your previous

knowledge of objects

were based on touch, not on sight.

Now you are no longer blind.

My job is

help you re-establish

how to use your eyes...

and understand what you see.

Actually, I'm not too worried

about that aspect.

What concerns me is your

psychological state.

After regaining sight...

many patients end up feeling

alienated and fearful.

Dr. Lo,

is the other Dr Lo a relative

of yours?

You mean Dr C.T. Lo?

Yes, he's my uncle.

So... what time do you finish

work today?

Ms Wong is my last patient

for the day.

Well... you see, I need to catch

my flight

Can I trouble you to send

Mun home after this?

I see, of course.

After all, starting from today...

I need to take Ms Wong outdoors

for her training anyway.

OK

You can go ahead.

I'm fine by myself.

I'm used to it.

That's you as a little girl.

Your father filmed this

a long time ago...

so that you could see it

if your eyes ever healed.

He stopped filming after

he divorced your mother.

That was 7 or 8 years ago.

Grandma...

Is it true when Dad comes back,

he'll take us to Vancouver?

I know you don't want to go,

but life in Vancouver moves

at a slower pace.

It will be better for you.

I can't even read Chinese

how will I learn English?

Grandma,

I don't want to rely

on others forever.

I want to learn to write

and find a job in Hong Kong.

I want to be independent.

Your father would worry about

you going to work.

I have to do the dishes

I'll leave you to watch this alone

Can I help you?

Have you seen my report card?

No.

Do your live around here?

Mun, who's that?

It's a little boy, Grandma.

Did a report card ever turn up

on our balcony?

That kid is teasing you.

Just ignore him.

Kid, what are you eating?

I'm very hungry.

What's your problem?

Everyone we have two pieces

of good news today.

First...

Ms Tone Deaf had a successful

operation!

And second, for our Christmas

charity concert...

We'll be performing with Vanessa Mae!

Mr. Cheng why haven't I received

the practice schedule?

Mun, you know, after all...

we're an organization for the blind.

You're always welcome to come

to practice...

but perhaps you should do something

else for the performance,

such as coordination,

or taking care of our members.

I can even arrange for you

to help out at the centre.

Mr. Cheng,

I really want to take part

in this performance.

I've practiced so long

for this concert!

I understand, but...

Excuse me, Mr. Cheng...

Vanessa Mae's agent

wants us to fax over her schedule.

I'll be with you right away.

Mun, Mun?

Let's discuss this again.

I have to go.

Grandma!

Are you leaving?

Yes, to class.

Come back early for dinner.

I've prepared some special

turnip soup.

Bye!

Have you seen my report card?

Didn't you find it yet?

I really haven't seen it.

Perhaps you should ask someone else.

Ying Ying!

Excuse me, I'd like to talk to her.

Look what I've brought for you?

Sis, I've just had chemo-therapy,

I'll throw up if I eat.

It's OK.

Then we'll save it for when

you get better.

If only we had believed

him just that once

or given him a chance to explain,

he might still be here playing

video games.

Who would have expected

him to jump offjust like that?

Suicide is a dreadful sin.

The souls of those who commit

suicide...

are obliged to repeat their

painful deaths everyday.

To help him break out of this

vicious cycle of pain

we need to tackle the cause

of his suicide.

Only then can his soul leave

this world in peace.

Have you ever considered

he might be telling the truth?

Perhaps he really did lose

his report card.

Have you been teaching

calligraphy long?

Yes, many years indeed.

I'll teach you how to hold

the brush...

Use your big thumb and

middle finger

and form a circle just like this...

Like this, try.

Very few want to learn

calligraphy nowadays.

I used to teach 3 lessons a week.

Now, it's down to only one.

I'll let you try writing by yourself.

Try it yourself.

Why are you sitting in my chair?

Why are you sitting in my chair?!

What is this?

What is going on?

What are you looking for?

Are you okay?

What happened?

Are you feeling unwell?

Is Dr. Lo here?

Ms. Wong, you are early.

Your next appointment isn't

until Friday.

He won't be back from his meeting

until 5 p.m.

Will he definitely be here

at 5 p.m.?

If it's urgent,

I can page him for you now.

I'll be back at 5.

You can see them, too?

They don't usually want to be seen.

But you'll get used to it.

All the stores nearby have

been bought up,

only my boss refuses to sell.

He seems to be expecting his wife

and child to visit.

Actually, he can't see them at all.

There was a car accident

over there...

Mun!

My secretary said you were

asking for me.

What's the matter?

Will you help me?

Of course I will.

Your eyes hurt?

Will you believe me?

Yes...

What is it?

The shadows... they come

to bring the dead.

What shadow?

When I was at the hospital...

I saw a man.

He... he took an old lady with him.

The next morning, the old lady

was dead...

My room keeps changing

suddenly into a different room...

I even saw a person missing

her lower body...

When he rushed over, it was like

an electric shock.

My whole body went numb...

Calm down

And tell me slowly.

When I was little...

Granny told me...

I was not an ordinary child.

God had given me some obstacles...

so that I would grow up

to be an extraordinary person.

Now I understand

what it means to be extraordinary.

An extraordinary person

can see things others can't...

and feel pain that others won't feel.

Maybe, I was never meant

to see this world.

I don't want to terrified

in bed every night...

I don't want to terrified

in bed every night...

then awaken horrors every morning.

I just want to be an ordinary person.

Dr. Lo, can you help me?

Yes, of course I will.

One of my psychology professors...

from the States...

has just come to Hong Kong to visit.

Let's meet him tomorrow.

He might be able to help.

How can you help me when

you don't believe me?

What's going on?

Excuse me, I have to go.

Call me if you need anything.

Goodbye.

Who's that?

A friend.

He asked your sister to take

something to States.

Yes, that's right.

You are home early.

Aren't you supposed to be

back next week?

Well...

a co-worker switched her

shift with mine.

So I come back a bit earlier

It's smoky here

Why don't you go up?

14TH FLOOR, UNIT-C.

Have you seen my report card?

Stop asking me?! I've already

told you I haven't seen it!

Have you seen my report card?

15TH FLOOR, UNIT-C.

Uncle, listen to me...

No way!

Only you can help us with this!

I've already said no!

If you still respect

me as your uncle,

and respect yourself as my nephew,

you should have never approached

me with this!

First of all

You should know only too well...

what medical ethics are regarding

organ transplant.

And you should also know that...

the identity of the cornea donor

is concealed from me.

What shadow?

One cornea transplant and she starts

seeing ghosts?

You actually believe that?

What if I do?

Then we have even less to talk about!

Uncle...

Don't tell me you fell for your

own patient.

Hello?

Dr. Lo, is that you?

Mun is in trouble!

Can you come over immediately?

Yes, right away.

Yes, I admit.

She's more than a patient to me.

Mun!

How long do you plan on hiding

in this little room?

Five years? Seven? Or ten?

You have to confront your problem

sooner or later.

You want to play violin?

Go play with the troupe!

I can accept you pretending

to be blind.

But even then

then you didn't isolate

yourself here.

I just want to help.

Mun!

Sis.

Ying Ying, what are you doing here?

I can leave the hospital now.

You can?

Yes, I don't need any

more operations.

I can go to school now.

So...

Then once I am out of here,

we can go out...

we can take pictures, we can even...

I'm so happy that you can see now,

because this world is really

beautiful.

Ying Ying...

It's alright! Cheer up.

Be strong and things will work

out for the best.

I have to go now.

Ying Ying!

Wong Kar Mun, I want to tell you...

Ying Ying has already...

I know... I just saw her.

I know she's dead.

What are you looking at?

Ying Ying.

Can you see her?

It wasn't her.

Don't know why she didn't

show up today.

Are you not afraid anymore?

I don't think I have a choice.

I see all these things anyway.

At least, I get to see the people

I care about.

What's this?

Ying Ying made this for you.

What's written on it?

Don't forget me.

She put in the wrong photo though.

Who's this?

It's you!

Don't you recognize yourself yet?

What is going on?

Who are you?

Who the hell are you?!

We believe that the very last

consciousness of a mortal

carries over to the afterlife.

That is the very thought of a person

in his final moment...

would become the eternal

consciousness of his soul.

Those who die a sudden death

have no recollection

of the instance of death.

Their souls remain in this world

as if they're still alive.

But there are others

who intentionally refuse to leave

mostly due to unresolved

problems during their lifetime.

These souls can't be consoled

while their problems remain.

There is only one way to help them,

and that is to resolve what

they left unsettled.

The woman Ms Wong keeps seeing

after resuming her sight.

We have to resolve her problems

so that she can move on.

I hope I haven't done

anything wrong.

Even if it's wrong,

it'd be my fault.

And I won't regret it.

Were you reincarnated into

the wrong body?

Why are you so different from...

...the rest of the family?

Be careful.

BANGKOK, THAILAND

Dr. Lo believed you in the end?

Let's just say Dr. Lo

is not involved.

He's a professional after all -

you know what I mean?

Yes.

Are we close?

I'm not sure.

It says here that her

Chinese name was Chiu Wai Ling.

A Thai born Chinese.

Here are her hospital records.

This is Siam-Rach Hospital.

Sl-AM-LA?

This is probably the place.

Let's get off to take a look.

Hi.

This is Siam-Rach Hospital?

Yes. Right

I want to meet a doctor,

his name is Eak.

Please come help.

Can I help you?

I want to meet a doctor

his name is Eak.

You know him?

No

It's there a Doctor name Eak here?

It mentioned here.

It's this hospital, his name is Eak.

He's not here now.

Not here?

Wah!

Wah!

What is it?

This is the place.

What place?

The place I've been having

nightmares about.

Nightmares?

This has to be it!

Doctor Eak!

What's the matter?

You have two visitors.

Mister, this is Dr Eak.

You're Dr. Eak.

Yes.

My name is Wah.

Hello Nice to meet you.

It's her.

After the Cornea operation.

We come over here

to thank the donator's family.

Hope you can give us some detail.

Here is the file.

Are you two from Hong Kong?

You speak Mandarin?

Can you help us?

Sorry.

Sorry, I can't disclose

our hospital records.

This is our hospital policy.

Please understand.

Wait!

We need to see the donor's

family urgently.

Could you perhaps ask them

if they are willing to meet us?

Her family will not be willing

to meet with you.

Who are you to Ling?

Please leave.

Wait!

After I got Ling's corneas,

I started to see things

that she saw!

Ling was a sad and Ionely girl.

All of the villagers stayed

away from her.

Why?

From time to time,

she would weep outside

someone's door.

Afterwards,

a person in that house

would pass away.

So everyone took her

to be a witch...

and always chased her away

when they saw her.

The children treated

her like a monster.

Even I threw stones at her

when I was a kid...

Because none of you could believe

that she foresaw death?

Maybe it was because of fear.

So, do you believe it now?

This is it.

Mrs. Chui, these two friends

are from Hong Kong.

Nobody welcomed Ling.

So she hardly ever set foot

in the village

Yet, on the night of the fire,

many saw her running around

shouting hysterically...

as if talking to herself.

Since everyone detested Ling,

no one paid any attention to her

Some villagers threw water on her

to drive her away.

Around midnight,

a big fire erupted...

and kept burning till noon

the next day.

Among the deceased

300 were burnt beyond recognition.

How exactly did Ling die?

She hanged herself.

Ling k*lled herself the day

after the big fire.

Is Mrs. Chui all right?

She's fine.

So you too believed that

she wasn't insane,

but that she only saw things

no one else could.

She foresaw a big disaster

and tried to warn everyone,

but no one listened to her.

I don't understand any of this

spiritual stuff.

I just want you two to know that

Ling was a very kind person...

and she had a tough life.

Can I take a look at Ling's room?

Tonight...

...I want to stay here.

I'll take you to Ling's grave

tomorrow morning.

You've been very kind to us,

thank you.

You should go to bed now.

Alright, I'll stay next door.

Shout if anything happens.

I know you've wanted me

to come here all this time.

Well, here I am now.

What do you want to tell me?

... ill-fated... ill-fated...

Hurry... take her to the hospital!

Get lost...

You should be ashamed of yourself...

You are a curse!

Told you not to come here!

She's evil! Don't ever play with her!

Go save him! Save my boy...

Help him... Make him breathe...

What have you done to my boy...

You little b*tch! Go to hell...

She's evil!

Stay away from my house! Get lost!

Be reasonable!

My daughter is only trying to help...

Go away!

Mrs. Chui, I know how to help Ling

let's go upstairs to see her.

Her most painful time was not

in the past,

it's right now!

Since she k*lled herself,

she's been trapped in a time warp...

constantly repeating her suicide.

She was dead.

How can someone who's dead

die again?

Listen to me,

very soon she'll appear upstairs.

Let's go up to see her!

I won't see her!

I spent my whole life protecting her,

I never once gave up on her,

but she gave up on herself!

For that I can never forgive her!

Just listen,

I'm sure you hear this sound

every night.

Ling died at 3'o clock,

didn't she?

Mrs. Chui, come with me and

you'll understand!

I'm not going upstairs!

Mom...

Help me...

Help me...

Ling?

Help me...

Help me!

Help me... help me...

Is it Ling?

Is it really Ling?

Mom...

Help me...

Ling, you were the one who left me...

you were the one who left me...

Mom...

Help me...

Mom...

Ling, Mommy is coming!

Ling! Ling!

My girl, mommy's right here.

Don't be afraid.

No one can bully you anymore.

Mom, I'm so sorry.

I was wrong.

Please forgive me!

I've already forgiven you.

Mun!

What happened?

Are you alright?

Go that way! Move over...

Hurry! Pull him out!

Careful! Come on keep pulling...

Over there! Move!

Get out!

Get out!

Something's happening,

get out, quick!

Granny, leave your house now!

Leave your house now!

Brother, run for your life!

Get out! Quick! Run!

Get out! Run...

Run! Run for your life!

Run! Run for your life!

Runl A disaster is coming!

Run! Run now!

What's she saying?

Run! Get out!

Mun!

Go, go, go... Move over...

Go, go, go... Move over...

...Listen to me...

Ever since that day,

Ling never appears again.

I hold no resentment towards her...

Since I saw and experienced

the same pain that she did.

But aside from pain

I saw beauty

I no longer question

why am I blind

It is becasue

I've already seen the most beautiful

things in this world.

Things I'll never forget.