Original subtitles

Hello

don't forget the lecture today

attendance is mandatory

I know

still sleeping?

I haven't been sleeping well recently

lots of dreams

stop reading that guy's novels

he was insane

bullshit!

See you later then

mom, I'm off to school

don't forget to come back home for dinner tonight

I remember

it's the anniversary of dad's death

he hasn't been able to enjoy my cooking

so you take his place

should I follow in his footsteps?

Never!

A seaman is like a dead man to us

you are my only son

you are my only mom

I will be with you forever

you also have your girlfriend Joey

invite her for dinner tonight

I haven't seen her for a long time

alright. I'm gonna be late

I have to go. Bye

excuse me. Thanks

I thought you wouldn't come

this is my final year. Can't afford any mistakes

lam not you. I have to earn a living

how is auntie doing?

As usual, she loves to keep herself busy

she invited you for dinner

it's the anniversary of my dad's death

that means we have to pray to that alter

ancestors worship is different from idol worship

if you don't come again, she'll think we have broken up

we have

you have fallen in love with that Japanese writer

even with someone long dead

you are still jealous

this is very kind of you

like what they always say in Greece

time is the best cure

indeed

class, attention please

today is the first lecture for the cultural studies class this year

we are honored to have

the distinguished professor Antonio ming as your instructor

he is a famous scholar in the areas of

ancient Greek culture and utopian thought

visiting from the Australian national university

wishing you all a great course this year

thank you Dean

I am Antonio

but you are welcome to call me brother ming

to get things going, let's do a little experiment

those of you who are gay, please raise your hands

none?

Okay, how about those of you who have had

either gay sexual experiences or dreams?

Also none

surely some of you must have gay friends or at least empathy for gays?

Let me put it out there then; I am a homosexual!

The ancient Greece of 2500 years ago

was the era of socrates, Plato and Aristotle

it was a period in history when mankind achieved

the greatest leap in spiritual civilization

our understanding today of freedom, democracy and government

is mostly coming from the theories of those great philosophers

what's that got to do with homosexuality?

In those days

all grown men not only had wives

but if they were to be fully respected, they had boyfriends too

the more numerous, the younger

the more handsome and the more intelligent the better

why?

In those days, the exchanges between men

from metaphysical intelligence to physical sex

were not only legal,

but also perceived to be noble

professor

can you please take down that image?

Miss

I think you are an adult

and yet you are uncomfortable viewing a male's body?

No

I just think you should respect

the religious beliefs of some of us here

are you catholic?

Yes

homosexuality is a sin. Preaching homosexuality is sinister

but didn't your pope recently say that

"lf a person is gay

and seeks god and has good will

who am I to judge them?"

Who are you lady?

In "the Republic", Plato said that

in an ideal community where schools flourish

only music and mathematics should be taught

there is a famous quote from socrates

"an unexamined life is not worth living"

come in

professor

please, call me brother ming

yes, brother ming

I came to apologize for my girlfriend's impoliteness

what's her name?

309v

is there a reason that one person has to apologize for another living one?

You are right

but she has always been like that

why didn't you leave when she left?

That's another reason why I came

oh?

Young people these days

seldom read the novels of mishima yukio

really?

It has been a while since I last read them too

it maybe time for me to revisit his work

especially the final pieces, the tetralogy

professor, no, I meant brother ming

ls there a link between mishima's suicide

and the martyrdom of socrates?

Mishima was very complicated

though he tried his best to explain himself

he could hardly be understood

socrates was far more simple and straight forward

the reason for his martyrdom

was similar to that of the ancient Christian, Saint Sebastian

these people chose death

as they believed

they couldn't live a poetic life any more

poetic?

They were poets

those poets cared only about god's appraisal

not the perspective of the secular world

I think that the reason you came to see me is that

you are attracted by the works

and the physicality of homosexuals

so you are confused

I have a girlfriend and I don't doubt my sexual orientation

but I have the same feelings as the young mishima

like the fascination with our own bodies

masculine male bodies have been showing up in my dreams

following today's lecture

I decided I want to learn more about this aspect of myself

what is your name?

Hins gao

ming means brightness and gao means brilliance

we will be a good match

you two quarreled again?

We will be okay in a few days

honesty is a virtue

I know

like what you say

you lie once, you cover up for life

morn

don't you have anything you've hidden from me?

What do you mean?

I mean, dad is long gone

haven't you ever wanted another partner?

You want to dump this burden called morn?

I see my dad often in my dreams

I can't imagine there being one in real life

I also feel anguish for what you have been missing

but it is all fate

try this

a drink, lady?

We have asahi and 1664 on tap

I want the French one

one moment

are you studying nearby?

No

I am actually a transport worker

I work part time here at night

no wonder you have such a good figure

sis, so what do you do?

Sis?

Do I look that old?

You look 25, but I am only 22

you are 22?

Then I am 18

see you

bye

hey handsome

I'll buy you a drink

I can't drink at work

when will you be off?

We stay open until the last customer has left

then, I am off

so by this logic

I can never buy you a drink?

Right

but maybe you are smart enough to figure out a solution for me

I am swan

lam hins

hins?

That sounds familiar

haven't we met?

I wouldn't forget if I have ever met such a beauty

you kind of look like my morn

Jesus!

In just an hour I have aged into a morn

I suppose you are Joey?

I am swan

I am the substitute teacher

you may call me sister swan

you sing. I'll accompany you

"at that moment"

"love was fading"

I am sorry

it doesn't matter

let's do it again

would you rather your rival in love

be of the same, or opposite sex?

I don't want rivals

I would rather turn them into friends

sis, you are avoiding my question

if I really have to choose

I would rather it be a man

why?

Isn't it more shameful

losing out to one of the same sex?

Strange logic

if you apply normal logic to abnormal matters

you may never get an answer

answer...

Brother ming!

It's you!

Why are you here?

Are you looking for Antonio?

Yes

you are his student?

Yes

it is still early

you can wait for him there

any chance that you are the "mishima yukio" boy?

So he did mention me!

You are his...

Lam...

His research assistant

what a coincidence

did he say anything about me?

He sure did

why are you so interested?

For sure, every student would care about his teacher's feeling towards him

in what way?

Any... way

but, forget it

why are you nervous?

Do you have feelings for him?

You are being provocative

what is the worry?

I have feelings for him too

we are in the same boat

I could be your adviser

so

Open up to me and tell me anything

but there is nothing to tell. We are innocent

why do you care about views of others?

And besides, what's the big deal about being bisexual?

You live only once

but can experience two different kinds of love and lust

isn't it the utopia of life?

How wonderful!

You are going too far

how about your girlfriend

does she know?

If something were to happen, i would tell her for sure

although I am not religious, i will never lie to her

so cute!

You are my type

yet the most important thing is

to be true to yourself

once you have lied to yourself

you can never say you are not a liar

well?

Have you been introduced?

Sure

we are like old friends already

we are just done

later

she is very attractive

isn't she?

Got some free time on Sunday?

Let me help you to expand your horizons

don't be shy

this boat trip is especially for you

I had no idea there would be so many people

and all so... bold

that's the way to help you understand

come on

your turn!

We are playing cards

you are?

Oh, you got a friend

I'll go take a shower

what do you mean?

What do you mean then?

Who is he?

A friend

fflend?

Who on earth would bare it all in a friend's room?

Is there a problem?

Don't you like it? Do you even care?

Shall I introduce him to you? Who knows...

What the hell are you talking about?

Do I need to elaborate?

You fell in love with that faggot

you are no longer a man

stop it!

We are not married yet

god won't allow it

ls there anything your god actually allows?

Can we not argue about this, please?

How about I use my hand...

Leave me alone for awhile

ls everything alright?

It's okay

someone changed her mind and come back for my lecture

please leave my boyfriend alone

you mean hins?

I can't leave him

he came to me

it is useless for you to keep tormenting him

he likes girls

and he loves me only

love?

Corinthians 13:5 says

"love is patient and kind

love does not envy

- or boast..." - Enough!

A scholar like you

should be popular among girls

why do you have to commit the sin of homosexuality?

Sin?

It is the church in the secular world who rejects gays

not god

god created heterosexuality, bisexuality and homosexuality

in what order?

Are you telling me you know the answer?

Let's say it is all love

even if you do really love him

but then do you have to compete with me?

We've been together for three years

he isn't your type

I appreciate a good intellectual discussion like this

how about we don't compete

which lets him love us both

and how about

if you and me are in love as well?

Ridiculous!

How could such be shared?

You mean love has to be unshared and exclusive?

If you have brothers or sisters

would your morn love only one of you?

You are being sophistic

they are two different things

the truth is revealed through debates

many so called doctrines

falter in the face of intellectual examination

Lenin once said

"prejudice is further away from truth than ignorance"

I give up

lam not fighting you on this

let's compete in something else then

I suppose you play piano?

Let's have a duet

Beethoven wrote this

for his 17 year old student

they had a love affair

which were not acceptable in the secular world

they could only express their love through music

the manuscript was found years after his death

was such love a sin?

Is it possible for love to be a sin?

I'm going

bye

we are closed

I'll wait for you in the yard

may I have one?

Sure

I wonder if I should see him again

so the boat trip didn't go well?

He told you everything

you can tell me everything too

lam a pretty good listener

I want to understand the world

and myself as well

but by going deeper

I am worried I will turn into another person

and do something I will regret

and then?

I may lose my grounding

and not be able to find my way into my new world

you are beginning to speak like him

maybe I don't deserve such a teacher

if he was a girl

or I were one, everything might be more natural

let me tell you a legend

among the students of socrates

there was one extraordinarily young and handsome

whose name was alcibiades

alcibiades

the name of this city, means "city of angels"

you must have been to a lot of places?

I have been to eighty countries

and then I found an utopia, right here

eighty!

Oh, right

you said there is a gym down there

I want to work out

you might want to walk around too

and I will take you to dinner later

I am going to rest for a bit

you efljoy

okay

hey toffi

I am back

the swimming pool is great

I came back to get my swim suit

so this is your "city of angels"?

Utopia?

Instead of cursing happiness

why not be part of it?

You intended me see all that right?

I guess it was just meant to be

you want me, don't you?

Is it not obvious?

I would exchange it with the most precious thing in my life

what if I decline?

Then life would be less poetic

yours or mine?

Mine

or maybe ours

ls that the temple of dawn?

That's right

temple of dawn

where Mr. Honda visited Princess ying

in mishima's novel

so it is real, look!

The temple of dawn does exist!

I can't believe I am seeing it

this is not a dream, is it?

Such a kid

wait till I take you to the golden pavilion

and even the Ganges

I wonder how excited you will be...

Do you believe in reincarnation?

Does this scene

remind you of the dream of Honda?

Yes

from this paragraph:

"All ideas and all gods

were jointly turning the spiral nebula like gigantic wheel of samsara

carrying masses of people who were happy, angry, sad or joyful

just like us, unaware of the rotation of the earth

unaware of the effects of samsara

it was like a Ferris wheel at night

all decorated with lights

in the amusement park of the gods"

if only we can live our lives

like those poets

writing and leaving behind

such beautiful poems

whether there is an afterlife

where we may reincarnate to

would they matter at all?

Right

a student of socrates

alcibiades

told his teacher

"i tried everything to get intimate with you, all for your wisdom

instead of being ridiculed by a Sage for not seizing the chance of my life

I would rather be insulted by all ordinary folks of the world

until I die"

tell me

what is love?

Tell me!

Isao

why are you angry?

Lam not angry at anything!

You came to say farewell

isn't it?

Isn't it?

Isn't it?

Isn't...

I just can't take it

I don't want to live

life is meant to be painful

pain is the foundation of life

the bigger the pain, the wiser we become

sis

you must have the wisdom

teach me how to forsake love

I can't

I can't do it

sis

l.

Have just done the least poetic thing possible

It was my own initiative

nothing to do with my teacher

that is not the point, kid

you are not 21 yet

legally you are still considered underage for having sex with a man

you broke the laws of Hong Kong

what?!

Better learn the law before you become gay

my teacher just returned from abroad and couldn't have known this

ls ignorance an excuse?

This is not a TV drama

the law exists without favoritism or mercy

he is the adult in this. He will face quite severe charges

imprisonment is inevitable

sign this confession

I have nothing to declare

write it down you please

you are a man of stature

how can you partake in such immoral acts?

I may have violated your laws

but I am not sinful

hins gao

somebody bailed you out

pack your things and come out

he is back

how was your trip?

Why didn't you call me

and let me know you would be late?

I wondered what happened to you

something did happen

but I can fix it

don't worry, morn

you're leaving again!

I will be back for dinner

boys won't stay with you forever

defendant Antonio ming

is alleged to engage in sex with a man under 21 years of age

he is to be remanded in custody, with no bail, pending trial

the other defendant hins gao

is alleged to have participated in gay sex while under the age of 21

he is to be released on bail to await further investigation

the aforementioned hearing will take place in 14 days

lift up your head, man

there is nothing you cannot conquer

21 years old, why precisely 21?

It would be fine if only you were one year elder

wasn't Hong Kong under British rule?

People in britain can choose their sexual pleasure from the age of 16 onwards

we are the ones to belittle ourselves

by accepting this discrimination

hins, it's a pity you were born in Hong Kong

I was not born here!

My dad was a Hong konger, but my morn was a mainlander

they gave birth to me in China before coming to Hong Kong

my dad was a seaman, who ran into a wreck

my morn told me...

Hey!

She told me that I am actually a monkey

the birthdate on my ID

was amended for some reason

monkey?

Then you are already 21!

Morn

ls there anything you couldn't forgive me for?

I can see you are troubled by something

tell me

your mom can handle anything

mom, you didn't answer my question

son

you are a man

and mature enough to make your own decisions

whatever you have done, right or wrong, your morn will always support you

if I really have to pick something

then it would be for leaving me

I have had a relationship with my teacher

that kind of relationship?

How terrible!

The teacher is out of line

I bet she is not older than me

probably... not

how about Joey then?

Have you broken up?

No

We won't

you are cheating on her?

You men; You're all the same!

My teacher...

Is a man

what?!

Good man

you knew everything up there, right?

You will forgive me

I, leung yi zhun, solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that

the evidence I give in this court is the truth

and nothing but the truth

your honor

I have only a few simple questions for Ms. leung, our witness

Ms. leung

there are two mainland birth certificates

of the defendant

can you please tell us why

there can be two certificates for one person?

Hins

this is the only thing i have ever hidden from you

it has been more than 20 years now

yet it is still like yesterday in my memory

a few days after my wedding

who's that?

Shu Juan

help me, sister zhun

take care of this baby for me

they are coming to take me!

Shu Juan!

My best friend shu Juan

rushed to my home

with her new born son

a young life was gone, just like that

the poor woman was dumped by her man after becoming pregnant

she lost her mind after giving birth to the baby

I had to follow my husband to Hong Kong

but there was no way i could leave this poor baby behind

amid the confusion

an idea occurred to me

my husband was a merchant seaman

who had to leave on a journey shortly after our wedding night

he was then going to be gone for two or three years

I got a friend in the hospital

to make the baby a new birth certificate

the birthdate was set at ten months later

I then brought to my husband this "joyous news"

as well as hins

who would then "reunite" with this supposed father of his

can you tell us then

the exact birthdate

of the defendant?

28th march, 1992

which means

the actual birthdate of the defendant

was about ten months earlier than that on his ID card

ls that so?

Right

your honor, I have no more questions

Ms. leung

the fassbender like story you have just made up

is very intriguing indeed

I don't know this term

but I never lie

you never lie?

Didn't you start lying 20 years ago?

Indeed“.

I thought I could hide the truth forever

you lie once, you cover up for life

do you also know that

counterfeiting documents is a serious crime?

It could put you in jail

objection, your honour

the prosecution is raising an impossible accusation

that's alright

I knew this

lam willing to pay for my wrongdoing

but I can never let my son bear the responsibility

Ms. leung

didn't you just claim he is not your son?

What are you talking about?

Although he is not my son by birth

he will always be my son!

Morn

mqm!

Lam going to jail

finally I can rest and do some studying maybe

morn, you will be alright

a lawyer friend told me that

even if you are found guilty

it would be a light sentence for telling white lies

lam not so sure about that

these days, Hong Kong resembles China in the old days

anything can happen

you better fly away if possible

I told you

I won't leave you

don't forget to feed the tortoises

my friend also told me that

on the basis of civil laws and human rights

and by dealing with some procedures

I could be spared of being repatriated back to mainland China

that is great news!

That was my only concern

men should be explorers

your mom won't be holding you back for long

maybe I will find a soulmate after I am released from jail

mom you are so beautiful

you're going to tie up this street with your admirers

stop bullshitting

beauty belongs to the young

once it's passed, it shall never return

my teacher also said that once

you and your teacher

will you continue?

Perhaps because your dad passed too early

and I wasn't sure how to raise you

it is not like that

actually there are many kinds of love

we just...

I know that too

I have also read "the dream of red mansions"

even that son of nobility had slept with men too

love yourself and be respectable

your mom isn't going to worry about this anymore

they are your blood parents

you'd better keep it

better learn the law before you become gay

I don't need this

there is nothing missing in my life

Are you kidding me?

The teacher was not guilty

but the mother was!

What's wrong with this world?

Luckily she isn't being imprisoned

otherwise there is no justice

sis, you are so talented

we are blessed

I am the blessed one

there is a cantonese saying: "Good at the kitchen and the living room"

for my kind of man

add to that "good in the bedroom and the classroom"

what a perfect woman

shall we really tell them?

What's the secret?

Don't you have any idea who I actually am?

My god!

Sis swan, you can't be...

Mrs. ming!

The stupid kids finally got it

we have been married for over a decade

you may now call me madam ming

but, you'd better not

we would rather die than age

time builds a relationship, but sensuality comes from unfamiliarity

after being together for years,

we both need new excitement

we also miss the feel of young flesh

I let him be socrates

and enjoy the role of his accomplice

you...

Are the new blood

having been seduced into joining...

Our utopia of love and lust

let's have the last class

don't just watch

practice among yourselves

brother ming was dismissed by the school

this is not the place for us

we shall look for our utopia elsewhere

are you really leaving?

Back to Australia first, then to Thailand

shall we go with you?

Hins has to take care of his mom, right?

Right

we better stay

to open up new ground and new minds for this utopian ideology

that's what my good students would say

Class, I am your lecturer

but you are welcome to just call me hins

if anyone of you

is a homosexual like me

raise your hand

let's give this classmate a big hand

in an ideal community where schools flourish

only music and mathematics should be taught

there is a famous quote from socrates

"an unexamined life is not worth living"