Original subtitles

FIVE YEARS AGO

FIVE YEARS LATER

SCRIPT: THE LOOK

I didn't find anything interesting in this script.

Yeah, um…

Can you point out the problems? I will fix them.

The whole thing.

It can't be made into a film.

It's lackluster.

You have to understand that

people nowadays are crazy about comedies.

You can see that movies in theaters or on the web

bring us in a lot of money because they have millions of views.

Romances or films with deep messages

won't work out.

I think that

be they tragedies or comedies,

they have their own characteristics.

Besides, we can't stick with only one genre to make huge box office films.

We produce films to earn money,

not to watch and admire them with each other, got it?

You want to make films for contests?

Are you confident that you can win over

the flock of conservative asshole filmmakers?

Well, I put so much effort

into this script, actually.

And, it doesn't take much to understand it.

Can we find another way?

-Call for sponsorship? -You can stop.

You graduated from the Academy of Theatre and Cinema, right?

Yes.

So, did you also graduate with a screenwriting major?

Of course not, how could I take two majors at the same time, bro?

That's it. That's the problem.

All you need to do is collaborate with a top-notch screenwriter.

A director-screenwriter,

I have never seen one before.

So, can you introduce a screenwriter like that to me?

Do you know Man Chau?

Who is Man Chau?

AWARDS CEREMONY FOR YOUNG TALENTED AUTHORS

And, the first prize goes to…

Man Chau.

Congratulations!

Your writing style is not something we expect in a 20-year-old girl.

Twenty?

Yes, 20. Still a college student.

She won the first prize of The Young Talented Author Award

and was ranked in the top 5 of the most influential writers of the year.

Knowing how to write at the age of 20,

she is definitely better than those unstable graduates, right?

Thank you for being here to share this joyful moment with me today.

But, sir. I'm still only 19.

Weight and age are two sensitive matters for women, please be considerate.

Yes, my bad.

So, Man Chau is a 19-year-old teenage girl,

asserting herself by winning the 1st prize of this year's award.

Would you like to share your feelings right now?

Do you feel happy?

No.

My happiness has not been fulfilled yet.

This book is for readers who are fans of the horror genre,

and also a tribute to my teacher,

Mr. Tuong Van.

He is the co-author,

my mentor,

and was my biggest inspiration while I was a student.

He had passed away before I finished the book.

But, his legacy will live forever.

So, I would like to donate my entire reward to my school

where he spent his career,

and where he delivered his knowledge to me and other students with love.

Incredible!

I was very impressed by her speech

and I'm dying to work with her

to turn her book into a movie.

Have you read the book "Three Sisters in A Family?"

I haven't.

I am not into reading, to be honest.

A director should read as much as possible.

It's a book written by Man Chau, go home and read it.

It's so good.

It's a masterpiece

with various layers of meaning.

So, you have read it?

No, I haven't.

But, I heard people review it.

An award-winning book must be excellent, of course.

No need to argue.

Yes.

But, there is a serious problem that I found out later.

Do you know what that is?

It is that Man Chau

totally despises cinema.

Despises cinema?

Why?

Have you ever heard of Director Xuan Truong?

No, I haven't.

Why don't you know him?

He is Man Chau's father.

Her father is a film director,

but she despises cinema?

Yeah.

He is one of the best-known film directors of the "money loss" genre.

He hasn't made a single dime from the films he has produced.

He even stole his daughter's short story and turned it into the plot for his movie.

Still a bomb.

Then, he blamed the audience for being too stupid to understand his masterpiece.

See what's here? "My Life," "The Paper Crane"…

"THE PAPER CRANE" A FILM BY XUAN TRUONG

Trash.

He even had a mortgage and borrowed money from the bank

to produce films only he is able to understand.

He just failed again and again. No place to stay.

Everyone in our industry knows his story, except you.

That's too bad.

No surprise that she despises him.

I can't figure out why she also despises cinema.

That's it. That's a problem.

If you can persuade her

to submit her work for us to make our movie,

I will be happy to invest in your movie.

It seems difficult.

Not that difficult. You must try first!

You are a young and good-looking man.

You won't be blurred out when standing next to me.

Making use of your charm to persuade Man Chau might work.

There are few talented screenwriters

in Vietnam's film industry.

We have faith in your abilities.

We trust you absolutely.

But, we need a good script.

-And we need Man Chau. -You…

For her to be willing to provide her work.

-Now, just try first, okay? -But, I…

-Yes? -But, I don't know who Man Chau is.

-Oh, I will text you her address later. -Hey, I…

MAN CHAU BOOKSTORE

Hi, you are Man Chau, right?

Yes, I'm Chau. Which book would you like to buy?

I'm Thach, a novice film director.

Books for Directors are in aisle 7. Come in, please.

I didn't come here today to buy books actually,

I came here to invite you to be the screenwriter for my debut film.

I have to say sorry to you.

I am interested in writing, but not screenwriting.

It will be better for you to find someone professional.

You know what? Your writing style suits my film's plot the best.

You read my work?

Yeah.

Which is your favorite?

My favorite is "Three Sisters in A Family."

Three Sisters in A Family?

So, which part will you turn into a movie?

I see that the composition of your story is consistent,

clear, and coherent

so, any particular part of your story can be made into a movie.

Do you like the part when

the eldest sister stays on the boat,

and ignores her two younger sisters calling for help in vain in the river?

That part is cruel yet humanistic,

from which audiences can draw a moral for themselves.

And, my film making style is

giving audiences hints and letting them realize the message.

So, that's an interesting point in your style.

-Interesting? -Yeah, that's good, right?

But, that part is in another author's book.

You know the reason why I hate film directors now.

They are all big, fat, shameless liars.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…

Sir. Sorry, my shop is about to close now. Please leave!

Actually…

My boss is the one that loves your stories

even though he hasn't read any of them.

But, he forced me to come here and invite you to be my screenwriter.

Only when you become my screenwriter, will he invest in my movie.

-So… -Could you?

Tell your boss that

I don't have time to help his employee?

I don't even know who he is.

I would like to state my opinion, just my own opinion.

I don't want to be nosey about your family's business,

but your father and I are both film directors.

There are many film directors out there, but not everyone…

Don't mention him in front of me.

Can you go away, please?

Man Chau, I…

No, the thing is…

I have written this script with all my heart.

Please read it through. I think

you will change your mind after reading it.

Sir, it's time to close the shop.

-Sir, can you…? -I believe that…

-No… -You can see how hard I've tried.

-I won't… -You will change your mind…

Stop it!

Sure you don't want to read it. But no need to be that extra.

Bye.

THE SCRIPT

Handwriting your script? In this era?

Your girlfriend dumped you?

Why the long face?

Something like that.

Hey, sir, you forgot your stuff.

Forget it!

I will give you a piece of advice.

In life, you need to let go sometimes.

Head to the future, focus on it.

Understood?

Sir. Hey, the film director.

-Hey, the film director. -Oh, your girlfriend is running after you.

Right?

He…

He is still alive. Call the ambulance!

Okay, wait a minute. Hey, taxi…

Hey, are you okay?

Where are you going?

You forgot this.

What is he doing?

He is talking…

Where did you come from?

I wanted to scare you. It's dangerous for a girl to walk alone at night.

Smart ass!

Why are you following him?

He has a special history, he needs help.

How do you know that?

You wouldn't understand.

So, do you understand what he is doing?

What's he doing?

His hand gesture means "Help me!"

How do you know sign language?

You wouldn't understand.

But, how can that girl see him to respond?

-You see her, too? -Yeah.

Are you really a film director?

Hey, someone's coming out.

Is that the home owner?

What's wrong with him?

MAN CHAU BOOKSTORE

Thank you for taking me home.

You're welcome.

Hey.

This doesn't mean that I will write your movie script.

I know. I'm just doing what a man should do for a woman.

Wait, you really could see the shadow through the window?

Why does that concern you so much?

No reason.

Oh…

What?

I'm screwed.

Well then.

What should I do now?

Can I borrow your hair clip?

What?

Can I borrow your hair clip?

What for?

Each lock requires a different amount of time to break.

The higher-quality the lock, the more time we need to break it.

But, your lock is…

super whack!

I will go now.

Man Chau?

What?

I will go now.

Okay.

Wait!

Give me your phone number.

It's not for screenwriting stuff. I would like to ask you other things.

My business card.

MR. THACH - FILM DIRECTOR

Let's go.

Is this a coincidence?

Who are you?

MR. THACH - FILM DIRECTOR

MAN CHAU CALLING

Is Thach speaking?

Oh, Man Chau. Yeah, I'm speaking.

Are you free at midday?

Yeah, I haven't got any plans.

Can I invite you to lunch?

About 11:30 a.m.?

Okay, that's fine. I will be there at 11:30 a.m.

Okay, see you.

I told you.

You have to believe in yourself.

You have done a good job. Remember to talk to her nicely.

I think that she has a different reason for calling me.

She hasn't changed her opinion on cinema yet.

A different reason?

She makes the first move by inviting you to lunch with her.

The first reason might be because of your film.

The second might be that "thing."

You get it, right?

Get yourself some courage.

And during your talk, your conversation,

you guys talk about everything,

and then redirect onto the cinema topic.

I help you with your problems,

so can you help me with my film?

No.

We won't talk about your film today.

I have told you that I don't want to be a screenwriter.

I just love writing.

I wanted to see you today as I have to ask you something.

Where did you learn that excellent lock-breaking skill?

-Why do you ask that? -I need you to do me a favor.

You want me to join you in theft?

Close.

Hey, that's not funny.

Do you believe in ghosts or supernatural things?

Kind of.

I see things like that sometimes.

How can you have that ability?

I narrowly escaped drowning once.

I was somehow able to see

supernatural creatures after that incident.

So, do you remember

the shadow of a girl that we saw at the window last night?

Yeah. What's wrong?

She is not human, she is a ghost.

She came to me in my dreams screaming for help three days in a row.

-Are you sure it is her? -I am sure!

Because she used hand gestures to ask for my help.

Besides, if my memory serves me right,

she is the girl in the picture of the old beggar the car hit.

But…

How does that have anything to do with me?

The fact is that

to a writer,

every dream, every night is very important.

It's extremely important.

It's a creative product of the subconscious mind,

a resource for my work.

But that crazy ghost is haunting me every night now,

and I can't write anything.

One more time…

How does that have anything to do with me?

I just need you to break the lock of that house

so that I can break in there.

I'll take care of the rest.

I won't commit crimes.

Okay.

If you help me break into that house,

I might consider changing my mind

about helping you with your script.

I'm in.

Go. Let's go, hurry up!

Go!

You don't need to break into the house.

It's now a place for piano classes.

All we need to do is to enroll in the class.

You will break the lock of the room where we saw that girl's shadow

to find out what's inside.

If my intuition is right,

and the home owner is hiding a secret,

we need new identities.

According to common sense,

a film director and a writer participating in a piano class

will draw a lot of attention.

So, we have to pretend that we have normal jobs.

From now on, I will be Linh, a college junior.

And I will be Loi, an electrician.

You will be Nam, my classmate.

We would like to take a piano class

as we are participating in the college's festival.

Linh, Nam. Linh…

Hi, Nam.

Hi, Linh.

Is it okay?

You…

You are Man Chau, right?

You know me?

THANH TUYEN, 49, INSTRUMENTALIST

Oh, my children,

you are made from earth,

very pure and innocent.

It's an extract from your book "Three Sisters in A Family."

I am your Number 1 fan.

Wow…

Is that so?

I didn't think that a lot of people would enjoy my book.

We are neighbors.

Sometimes I pass by your bookshop.

So, today, how can I help you and…

-Yeah… -My boyfriend.

We would like to take your piano class.

Yeah…

You are about to release a book about music, right?

-That's right, sir. -Yeah, that's right.

The main character in her coming book is a musician.

How did you guess?

No bud can grow out of the shadow of the big tree.

No child

can get out of the elderly's sight.

You also read the book that I wrote when I was a freshman.

"Mysterious Killer," Chapter 3.

It's the conversation between the old detective and the killer.

Unfortunately,

he thought of the wrong way.

I was still an amateur back then. I didn't expect you'd like that book.

Thank you.

Okay, come in and fill in some forms.

-Yes. -Yes.

Come in!

Place three fingers.

1, 2, 3.

Play with three fingers.

Thumbs, index fingers, middle fingers.

Raise your wrists. Start with your thumbs.

1, 2, 3.

1, 2.

If you guess right, I will tell you my secret.

Tails.

Good job!

Do you believe that I can read people's minds by touching them?

You can do that?

No, I'm kidding.

But, I can do a thing quite similar to that.

Like?

I am able to see the past of an object.

Like, your script.

Or this fork,

I can see how many people have used it,

where it was made, or if someone has used it to stab people.

I know which wood this table was made of,

how many people have stepped on this floor,

or how many people have held and licked this plate.

Licked a plate? Stop joking around!

Let's see what's on my mind.

-No, I can't do it with a human. -That's weird.

I'm not the bald man in the X-Men movie.

So, what's wrong?

Who knows? That's why it's weird.

But, my ultimate power

is to control place,

to go back to the past to see what happened in this room

but not too far.

Overusing that power will give me an intracerebral hemorrhage or a stroke.

Now…

the shop owner, he has lost his money.

Can you see who stole his money?

Abracadabra.

The shop owner?

I still want to continue…

Okay.

Everything is clear now.

The shop owner made up a story

to frame the male employee

for having an affair with his girlfriend.

Hey.

Hey.

Hello?

What? Oh.

Wow, that's freaking cool!

Why don't you become a detective?

Being a detective would mean I can't keep my secrets.

Wait a minute.

Keep practicing!

Yes.

It's you.

I WILL GO UPSTAIRS. YOU TWO JUST TAKE TIME

Beautiful!

Hey, time flies.

-You're right. -Yes.

This is where my piano class takes place.

My dream is that it will become a big school.

Mr. Tuong Van.

Why are you here?

Man Chau.

Man Chau.

Yes?

Do you have something to ask me?

Um…

I am wondering

if my short fingers can reach all the keys.

Time will give you the answer

if you work hard.

Got it.

Why are there so many tools in your kit?

They are not toys, give them back.

How long does it take you to break a lock?

It depends on the lock.

Try to break that lock in five minutes.

There's only one way to see if I can.

Sir.

-What's the matter? -Where is the toilet?

Go into the kitchen, look to the right.

Got it.

I will take you there.

-Sir. -Yes?

Since I took this class,

I haven't seen you play a full piece.

Can you play a piece to motivate us?

Maybe some other time.

No. Please play Vivaldi's "The Winter."

It's a long time since you last played for us.

Okay.

You need to pay to see me play.

I will, no matter how much it costs.

I'm kidding.

All of you, gather around me.

I…

Do what he says.

For three months, I have not seen him play piano.

The flow of this piece is not too rushed.

See how I play, okay?

1, 2, 3, 4.

1, 2, 3, 4.

4, 1, 2, 3, 4.

1, 2…

-Is that okay? -Yes?

Yeah, it's good.

Why did you stop?

That's enough. I don't want to take up your time.

No, it's okay. Just keep playing, I can't always hear you play.

That's right. Please play Chopin's Nocturne.

You haven't played for a long time.

That's true.

Okay.

This is the last one!

Yes.

Oh.

Why is it not here?

I might have left it on the second floor.

I will go get it.

No, you can play another piece. No need to go upstairs.

No, let him go get that piece.

It won't take long.

HE IS GOING UPSTAIRS!

GET THE NEEDLE AT THE END OF THE STAIRCASE FOR ME

I DON'T SEE IT

Come out here.

I know that you are in there.

Jumping around

and ruining all my clothes.

I will get you a cage and keep you in there, alright?

Walking around like this will wear you out.

Don't act like you own this house.

I'M LOCKED IN THE ROOM

-Man Chau. -Yes?

Your boyfriend hasn't come back yet?

Oh, his stomach didn't feel right, so he went home.

-Is that so? -Yes.

Okay, class is over.

Go check on your boyfriend, tell him that I hope he gets well soon.

Yes, thank you.

GO HOME FIRST, COME BACK TO PICK ME UP AT MIDNIGHT

I'M SEARCHING THROUGH HIS STUFF

Why does this handwriting look familiar?

IT'S HER

THE BEGGAR IS HERE. I WILL ASK HIM

Hey.

It's okay… I won't hurt you.

I just want to ask you something.

Can you talk?

Okay, you won't need to talk.

Let me ask you something.

You just need to nod or shake your head, okay?

Do you know this girl?

Calm down. What's wrong?

Please, calm down. No need to be freaked out!

Hey.

Don't hurt yourself.

Hey!

Man Chau.

What have you done?

I… I'm sorry.

He has become like this.

Why don't you leave him alone?

I didn't tease him.

I'm sorry.

It's just because

I want to interview the homeless to get some ideas for my coming work.

This is Mr. Quan.

He has been like this for five years.

He wanders around this neighborhood all the time

and eats whatever people give.

I'm sorry.

Fine. Just leave.

I'll take care of this.

Excuse me.

Eat it.

Eat your food, dog.

THREE SISTERS IN A FAMILY AUTHORS: TUONG VAN AND MAN CHAU

THACH CALLING

Gosh.

Hey, what are you doing?

Why are you calling me?

He's gone out.

Are you sure that you are hiding in a safe place?

This is not my first time.

Are you really sure?

Don't worry.

What are you doing?

I am comparing the handwriting in the book you took pictures of

with that of Mr. Tuong Van.

Who is Mr. Tuong Van?

Mr. Tuong Van is my teacher.

The one I highly respect. I have told you about him.

But he passed away.

The letter "T"…

The letter "T"…

The letter "H"…

The letter "I"…

It can't be wrong. This is my teacher's handwriting.

But, why is his book here?

I don't know.

When I used my power to see the past,

I saw that Mr. Tuong Van came to visit the piano teacher.

But, they might be friends or…

I think that the piano teacher is odd somehow.

What do you mean?

When you had left, I saw him throw food on the ground,

put his foot on the beggar's head…

He put his foot on the beggar's head,

threw the food on the ground in a way…

in a very rude way.

At that moment, he had nothing to do with the gentleman image he presented.

Do you understand that?

Hello?

Hello?

Man Chau?

Hello?

Man Chau?

Man Chau?

Hello?

Man Chau?

Your phone.

Man Chau? Hello, are you there?

Man Chau? Man Chau?

Thank you.

Chau…

HE'S HERE

I'm sorry that

I overheard something like "rude," "not a gentleman" in your phone call.

Oh… those words are to describe a character in my coming book.

So, the image of a gentleman is to cover his evil nature, right?

Yes, it's a plot twist.

Maybe only music can put people's mind at ease.

Beethoven is a genius composer.

He was deaf, unable to listen to his own music.

But, he could see music

and feel it in a different way.

He's my idol.

I love him too.

I usually listen to

the song which people usually set as their call waiting ringtone.

That's it, right.

But, it is Chopin's.

Not Beethoven's.

My bad.

So, how is your boyfriend doing?

Has his stomachache gone away?

Yeah, he is much better.

He can take care of himself.

Youngsters in relationships now

love the motto of Do It Yourself, right?

Yes, that's right.

That's called "Love Without Depending on The Other Half."

Exactly. Love Without Depending on The Other Half.

Yeah.

So, I just leave him at home, he stays in the bed all alone.

-Really? -Yeah.

So, he is staying in the bed

or under the bed?

"Mysterious Killer," Chapter 5, the conversation

when the old detective finds out that the killer hid under the bed.

That's what you wrote.

Yes.

It's was a long time ago. I almost forgot.

-I will take this. -Yes.

Oh, I would like to give this to you as a gift.

No, let me pay.

No, it would be my pleasure if you accept it.

We have many chances to see each other.

Okay.

So, hope to see you two after class.

Yes.

-See you. -Yes.

See you.

Is it good?

I AM OUTSIDE

Don't give up!

Behind you.

He's behind you!

Sir… Please don't.

Please don't, sir.

Man Chau.

Open the door for me, please.

You are hiding in the wrong room.

The little dream of a musician

is to play the best pieces for his loved one.

Despite being unable to hear and speak,

somehow,

she can still feel the music I played in her own way,

which made me love and cherish every moment I spent with her more.

But, no.

Her ability to hear and speak was taken away.

Is that enough for her to be alive?

Not enough.

I wonder

why the price she had to pay to be alive is so expensive!

Her little dream was to hear her father play piano.

But, fate insisted that her life

had to be taken away by her father's old student.

She had to spend the last minutes of her life in utter fear

beside a psychopathic

and disgusting murderer.

His death will never be able to relieve my anger.

Tell me…

Man Chau.

What would you do

if you were me?

Mr. Tuong Van.

Are you certain?

He doesn't deserve death.

A death sentence is too good for him.

I want him to experience a situation worse than death.

I have to warn you that

even when you use a talisman

to harm your enemy,

your mind

will be gulped down by evil power.

You won't be yourself.

I have lived in hell now my daughter is not here anymore.

I remember that she loved this piano so much.

Man Chau.

Open the door.

I will count to three.

One.

Two.

Leave my daughter alone.

Sir, I didn't mean anything. I'm sorry.

Sir, I'm sorry.

You.

Why are you so cruel?

Sir.

I understand everything.

I know that you are not a bad person.

I know that you love your daughter so much.

I know how you felt when you lost your loved one.

I lost a very important person in my life.

Sir.

I understand your hatred towards that beggar.

He's guilty.

He deserves to be punished.

But, not in that way.

I just…

I…

THAT'S ENOUGH

DAD

DADDY

PLEASE STOP

THAT'S ENOUGH

DAD

DADDY

PLEASE STOP

THAT'S ENOUGH

DAD, DADDY

PLEASE STOP

LET HIM

GO, DAD. PLEASE BURY ME

HELP ME GO

TO HEAVEN

I LOVE YOU

SO MUCH

Uncle Tuyen.

Reincarnation is an endless cycle.

Even if you take vengeance on him in this life,

he will find you and do the same thing to you in the next life.

I am begging you.

Please forgive him

to help your daughter leave this world behind.

I understand.

Reincarnation is an endless cycle.

I am living in the hell I've made for myself.

It's just a vicious cycle.

I understand what you're trying to say.

But, you are not my daughter.

Go inside now. Don't look at him.

Mr. Tuyen is there.

Mr. Tuyen.

Who is that guy? Oh, he stabbed the beggar.

That's scary.

I…

am sorry.

GROWING YOUR HATRED

IS LIKE THROWING A COAL AT THE OTHER

YOU ARE THE FIRST TO BE BURNT - BUDDHA

Do you understand the feeling when your loved ones,

the ones that

you are ready to jump into a burning car or take thousands of stabs for

and willing to sacrifice your life for…

RECORDING

…are suddenly

taken away from you?

Have you ever experienced that feeling, officer?

Never.

Is that so?

Every morning I wake up,

I just wish I was dreaming,

a dream in which

my whole family was still together.

Elated.

I had a gentle wife

and a lovely daughter.

Wass that too much

for a musician like me?

I would trade anything in this life

just to have that feeling one more time.

Even a minute would be enough.

Is that possible?

It's all my fault.

I was the one that persuaded him

to help me break the lock of Mr. Tuyen's house.

It was my plan.

If you want to carry out a criminal prosecution,

you just need a defendant, that is me.

Do you have anything else to report?

Have you prepared to write your book in jail?

Mr. Tuyen has told us everything.

He admitted having kidnapped and physically attacked you both.

So, you and Thach are innocent.

Thach.

I have something to tell you.

At first, I just wanted to use you to break into that house.

When we were in danger, I was about to run away.

But you took that knife for me.

Thank you.

No problem.

I just did what a man should do for a woman.

Hey.

Wanna play 1, 2, 3?

For what?

The winner can ask the loser a question.

-Are you sure? -Sure.

The winner can ask, right?

Okay, I'm in.

1, 2, 3.

My turn.

You want to be my screenwriter?

-No, I don't. -What?

Because… you haven't answered my question yet.

What question?

-This is the question. -Okay.

You have to answer the truth, film director.

Who are you?