Original subtitles

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(Today's show: Snow in Midsummer)

(Cantonese opera opening ritual: "Xuantan Beats the Tiger")

Sitting up to start the show.

Welcoming the kind-hearted guests.

The tiger spirit thunders from the woods.

Bowing before the minister.

Paying respects to Tun Seri Lanang

(3 days after the 3rd Malaysian General Election)

(Malay primary school in Kuala Lumpur)

(Street parade noise)

Ah Ying?

Ah Ying!

Where has this child run off to?

Ah Ying?

Ah Ying.

What happened to you?

Did your classmates bully you again?

Ah Ying.

Ah Ying.

Whatever happened, just let it go.

Let's just be patient.

It will pass soon.

Alright, stop wiping it now.

Mother will help you change into a new shirt.

Let's get all dressed up and pretty.

(Datuk Gong shrine)

(Prime Minister: Great men excel at simplifying principles)

(To ensure the masses obey)

(Datuk Gong)

Next time,

don't let them hang pork on the stage again, understood?

Datuk Gong, this disciple understands.

I beg for your forgiveness.

My calculations are never wrong.

This child was born under an unlucky moon.

Hard to discipline.

Naturally rebellious, always looking for trouble.

This child must be placed under my protection.

Only then will he succeed in the future.

Did you hear me?

I hear you, Datuk Gong, your disciple understands.

Please, Datuk Gong, tame my child, I beg of you.

Very well, from this day on,

I take him as my godson.

And with this kris as my witness,

I shall use my own blood to tame this child.

Failing to educate the children,

when they grow up,

it is the father's fault.

From now on, you must follow my, Tun Seri Lanang's, teachings.

If you do not obey,

the Ramayana will destroy you!

(Street parade noise)

Vote! Vote!

Choose the candidate in your heart.

Vote - Victory!

People of the nation, let's vote!

Election - Victory!

Choose the candidate you respect.

Come on - Victory!

Let's all vote together - Victory!

Election - Victory!

Election - Victory!

Victory, we won!

(Chinese community in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur)

He's a Hokkien boy.

He doesn't like Teochew salted fish, give it to me.

Last night's performance of "The Six Kingdoms' Grand Investiture,"

the way your mother pushed the cart was truly beautiful.

Of course, she is the lead actress of the provincial troupe.

Is she performing in tonight's show?

She's resting today.

She made plans with friends to see the 7 o'clock show at the Cathay Cinema.

I'm taking the lead tonight.

Come early to get a good seat!

What a coincidence, I'm going to the Cathay for a movie tonight too.

I'll catch your show next time.

Sir,

is your name Liang Fu?

Yes, it is.

This is yours.

Thank you so much!

You've really been a huge help.

Now that I have the blue citizen ID card,

everything will be much easier from now on.

And your red resident ID card?

Hand it over for me to collect.

Thank you so much.

Officer,

yes?

I went to the government building personally last year

to apply for blue cards for the two of them.

It's already been a year.

Why is there still no news?

Officer, what should I do?

Are they both your biological children?

My daughter was born in China back then.

My son was originally from a Hokkien opera troupe.

His mother passed away long ago.

He came here from China when he was very young to make a living.

I took him into my Cantonese troupe as my godson.

It's been many years now.

You need a birth certificate to apply.

Did you build this Cantonese opera stage yourself?

Do you have the government permit?

Yes, we do.

Really? - Yes, we do.

I'll have an official come over to inspect it shortly.

We're here.

Sir, please drive a bit further ahead.

We shouldn't get off here.

Let's park at the mosque ahead.

By imperial decree, the scholar travels the golden path.

After parting from my wife, she gave birth to our child.

Oh, so it's a fairy descending from the terrace.

Ah Gui,

hurry up!

Where is Ah Yao's school uniform?

Right here.

You two women,

still wearing Nyonya outfits when going out?

Afraid people won't know you're of Nyonya descent?

I told you to be quick long ago.

You insisted on waiting for Ah Ying to finish school.

Datuk Gong is already angry from waiting!

Keep your voices down.

Did I say I was going to bring Ah Ying's uniform?

I thought since we were coming anyway,

we could get a blessing stamp on her uniform.

Ah Ying has exams next month.

What's the point of stamping a uniform for a Malay school?

And you made it all dirty.

Take it back!

Ah Yao,

you haven't eaten since you got out of school, have you?

Get to the back and start praying!

It's for Datuk Gong to enjoy.

(Guanyin altar)

He can get up now.

Go sit over there first.

Come, sit down.

Wipe the blood off your face.

(Today's show: Snow in Midsummer)

(Dou E) I lament my bitter fate meeting such disaster.

My beautiful home destroyed in an instant.

Mother passed away, brother lost.

Meeting again only in dreams.

Selling myself to bury my mother, joining the Cai family.

Weak woman,

only a weak woman can escape this suffering...

Ah Gui,

take this back for me.

The theater manager just gave me two tickets.

The 7 o'clock showing of "The Heartless Man" at the Cathay is about to start.

You two should head back first.

Or better yet, don't go.

Otherwise, before the movie,

remember to buy some bread for Ah Yao to eat.

I know.

Let's go.

Wait until next week

when Mother has time,

and I'll take you to the cinema then.

A screenplay by our beloved Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman.

The King of Langkasuka ruled the ancient Kedah kingdom.

One day, the imperial chef was startled and accidentally cut his finger.

What happened?

Did you not see just now?

No.

Blood dripped into the King's dinner,

into the red amaranth curry.

After the King ate it, he found it extraordinarily delicious.

The taste of blood.

I understand now.

It is the fresh blood that makes the curry more flavorful.

A peerless taste, simply incomparable.

From then on,

the King decreed that one prisoner be executed every day

to use their blood for cooking.

The bloodthirsty King

even grew a pair of fangs.

Seize them all!

Let me go!

Help me!

To satisfy his bloodlust,

the King began slaughtering innocent people.

If we don't stop him,

we will soon become the King's next meal.

We should send someone to seek help from the Pattani Kingdom,

or perhaps seek the magic of the elephant wizard.

Everyone must unite to save this country!

The ministers and the people unite

to overthrow the cruel King together.

"The King of Langkasuka" is now showing.

Look,

this next part is very good.

Those bad men framed Dou E,

sentenced her to death, and took her to the execution grounds.

The Heavens were so angry

that it started snowing in June.

Master, well hit!

Come on!

(Pu Changchun)

(Cai Lang) With the imperial brush, I’ve inscribed the golden roll.

In the spring breeze, I return home in triumph.

Whipping my horse, the dragon steed rushes ahead.

Suddenly, the snow chokes the pass, the horse’s hooves grow cold.

In the heat of June, frost descends.

There must be a strange injustice hidden beneath the snow…

Thank you.

Jin Mei!

(Dou E) Cai Lang, my husband!

There's a fire! Someone’s killing!

There's a fire! Someone’s killing!

Master!

Master!

There’s a fire over there, someone’s killing!

Stop, stop it!

Stop!

Stop, stop the performance!

Alright, you all hurry back now.

Stop bowing, go home.

A-Guang, come help cover the stage.

Hurry!

Come with me.

If you aren't good, I won't want you anymore.

Hide quickly.

I need to go find my husband and child.

It’s dangerous over there.

Hurry and hide inside.

Little sister.

Little sister.

Where’s Mom?

(Today’s feature: "The Heartless Man")

For Little Bao’s schooling…

For Little Bao, who cannot be without a father.

That is why I have come to see you…

Open the door!

Open the door!

Mom!

Mom, open the door!

Auntie Hong!

Auntie Hong!

Yun Gu!

Lai Sao!

Can you all hear me?

Stop watching the play, open the door!

Answer me, open the door!

Mom!

I want to... entrust Little Bao to you.

Entrust him to me?

Answer me!

Stop watching the play!

There’s a curfew outside!

Answer me!

Stop watching!

(Dahua Cinema)

There’s a fire!

Help!

You sit here and wait.

Mom is going to find Dad and Brother.

Don’t go out, don’t go out!

Don’t go out.

If you go out like this,

are you trying to let them know we’re hiding here?

I don’t even know where my mother went.

If I wasn't the one carrying the red registration, I’d want to go out and look too.

What if I can’t come back?

What will happen to my little sister?

And this troupe?

Listen to me.

Sit here quietly, don’t go out.

Alright?

(Mob riot)

(Dou E) The bells of hell are ringing

I hate that my thin fate caused this bloody case.

To be executed in the square is truly an injustice.

Oh, clear heaven above

I beg and plead

I plead

(Tun Sri Lela Nan) The elephant is my steed.

The tiger is my shadow.

Thunder is my weapon.

The messengers of heaven protect me.

The leprosy on the Emperor’s body

was caused by the petition regarding the Sultan of Malacca’s vassal status.

If His Majesty does not drink the Sultan’s foot-washing water,

and wash the leprosy scabs from his face,

there is no medicine in the world that can cure him.

When an Emperor is arrogant.

When concubines spread evil words.

When officials are corrupt and disloyal.

When the people rise in desperate rebellion.

A kingdom’s court will eventually perish.

Remember!

Future generations of Chinese royalty,

stop dreaming!

Do not dream that the Sultan of Malacca and his royal descendants

will bow down to you again.

We should respect each other and love one another.

Brother.

Look, it’s blue!

Heaven, earth, and all men share the same heart.

Why is the divide between rich and poor so clear?

The world always holds various scenes.

Listen as I tell you the reason why.

People say the foreign lands are easy to profit from.

But so many young men go and never return.

It is all forced by the conditions at home.

Men board ships to weather the hardships.

After I go out,

Mom will transfer your school.

Shall we switch to the Chinese primary school?

Ladies and gentlemen,

in a moment you will hear

our Prime Minister give a special address in the national language.

We are now officially declaring a nationwide state of emergency.

We need to take urgent action to maintain national security,

otherwise the situation will deteriorate further

and lead to a loss of control.

The state of emergency we are facing now

is similar to the curfew during the British colonial period in 1949,

but the current threat is more serious and difficult.

We have no other choice

but to take action immediately.

The current situation in Kuala Lumpur is very unstable.

Extremists are attempting acts of treason,

using violent weapons

to try and topple the government,

spreading rumors to throw the nation into panic,

and provoking behavior to incite public anger,

causing casualties and severe property damage.

Extremists hiding within political parties

are making a comeback to threaten the country.

They are putting forth every effort

to try and obstruct the holding of the general election,

though fortunately they have not succeeded.

What is even worse is that

they have launched street protests in Kuala Lumpur,

disregarding the rules set by the police.

Clearly, their behavior is out of order,

intentionally creating public disorder

to incite a major riot.

We know that within the country,

law-abiding Chinese citizens

are more numerous than those extremists,

but the power of the extremists is even greater,

and the law-abiding Chinese are not united.

In view of this, all loyal citizens

at this very moment, should stand up for the country.

Drive!

Find the back door.

A-Gui!

A-Yao!

Mom!

Mom.

A-Yao!

A-Gui.

Mom!

Mom.

Mom!

A-Gui.

A-Yao.

The sunset slowly sinks in the west.

Before my eyes is a desolate scene.

Withered leaves drift with the wind.

A thousand-year-old tree weathered by storms

I love you so deeply.

And I resent you so deeply.

Oaths and promises cannot withstand ethics and human feelings

I ask the west wind, I ask the white clouds.

Is this just fate?

Ah…

The heartless one.

The heartless one.

After the implementation of the curfew,

many Muslim citizens were unable to go to the mosque to pray.

This is unavoidable,

but Muslims can pray at home.

Let us pray to Allah together,

praying for our beloved homeland to return to peace soon.

Dad, where are you?

It hurts.

Mom.

Little sister.

Where are you all?

It hurts…

(Muslim morning prayer)

(Guanyin statue at Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang)

(4 days after the 14th Malaysian General Election)

Hey, what time is it?

The sun is high up and you’re still sleeping?

Don’t you need to get up and work?

What a piece of trash!

Don’t think I don’t know.

You saw this report last week

and were planning to go to Kuala Lumpur, weren't you?

Your mother died and I still can’t find her grave.

What, is it your turn now?

You want to spend your whole life looking for graves, is that it?

Go find it!

Go find it until you die!

You bitch!

It's considered unofficial history, and also history.

Some even say her story doesn't exist.

That is Princess Hang Li Po.

Actually, it's a beautiful misunderstanding.

In the Ming dynasty document "Ming Shilu,"

there is absolutely no mention of Hang Li Po's name,

nor the story of her marrying into the Malacca Sultanate.

This account appears in

the ancient book "Malay Annals."

And the "Malay Annals" itself

is not a rigorous historical work.

Some treat it as a literary work.

Of course, there are some historical facts within it,

but there was a purpose in writing this book,

which was to elevate the status of the Malacca Sultanate's rulers.

It had that political purpose.

But undeniably,

the story of Princess Hang Li Po

from our primary to secondary school years,

has appeared in our textbooks.

We've even heard this name since we were small.

It's like a mandatory chapter in history class.

She seems to have become a cultural symbol - Yes.

Representing Chinese culture,

or representing the friendly relations between the Chinese and the Malays.

Actually, it has since become a symbol,

what you call "persisting in a mistake."

Yes.

And some have even adapted it into a "Hang Li Po" play.

Yes - and it was very sensational.

There's even a Chinese version.

So Hang Li Po is already deeply rooted.

Of course, we're not criticizing anything;

sometimes we really need to clarify history.

That's why I say it's a beautiful misunderstanding.

But Hang Li Po was indeed very beautiful.

Yet, no one knows what Hang Li Po looked like.

Alright, we'll continue our talk with Dr. Liao Wen-hui later,

from his book "History of Malaysia,"

to understand the Chinese in Malaysia and this land.

"Morning Historical Talk."

We interrupt with a breaking news flash.

We continue to follow

the follow-up report on the 14th General Election.

Since last night, social media has been widely circulating.

Regarding the post-509 defeat

following their defeat on May 9th,

taking a private jet

from Malaysia to Indonesia.

As a result, nearly a hundred people of various ethnicities

have been coming since 4:00 AM

to surround the Subang Airport,

preventing the couple from leaving the country.

And our reporter just sent

the latest news back to the broadcast room.

As of 7:00 AM this morning,

it is still impossible to confirm

whether the news of the former PM and his wife flying to Indonesia is true.

As more domestic and foreign media

and civilians surround the airport,

the police are not taking this lightly,

having already dispatched officers to guard the airport entrance

to prevent any unpleasant incidents.

We will take a short break for information,

and continue this morning's "Morning Historical Talk" later.

Looking Back at History Today.

Our country is moving towards the Vision 2020.

All ethnic groups continue to live in harmony,

prospering and flourishing.

Vision 2020.

Prosperous Malaysia!

(Malayan patriotic song)

My country is so beautiful,

the land of Malaya I admire,

famous all over the world.

Malaya, fragrant as its name,

peaceful and prosperous, adding to its wealth,

life forever happy and thriving.

My motherland,

my country is democratic and independent,

what a lucky motherland.

Every ethnic group lives here,

we coexist and prosper together,

working diligently for Malaya.

Feng?

Feng, where did you hide those keys again?

(Dato Gong)

Is my brother's business at the market okay lately?

Hmm.

You should be kind and stop being so stubborn.

You've been married to him for so many years.

Sometimes you should listen to his advice.

I didn't listen to his words back then.

Hello, Datin.

Are you free to talk now?

Yes, Lawyer Ma, what is it?

Just to let you know, the Dato just came to sign.

Really? He's willing to sign?

Yes, the Dato just left, so I called you.

See if you have time to come over today.

I'll help you resolve this quickly.

Sure.

I'll be there in about an hour.

You bitch!

Where are you taking my wife?

Get out of the car!

Get out!

Look at my brother!

He's so old, and his temper is still so explosive!

Hey, where are you taking my wife?

Hey, look, it's all your stuff!

Damn it, get out!

Oh my, you're making me unable to see the road.

Wait for me.

Fatima.

Xue-e, call me Xue-e.

Also, talk to my brother properly when you get home tonight.

I and the Dato...

Have divorced.

At the end of this month, I'm taking my son to Australia.

I probably won't be back anytime soon.

Why don't you ask him...

If he wants to see us?

Even if it's just to have a meal together.

I can eat anything now.

You arrange it.

Ah Ying!

Remember to ask my brother when he's free for a meal.

Okay, thanks.

Kuala Lumpur.

Is this the bus?

(Teochew) Mom, I'm back to stay for a few days.

We'll talk when we get home.

Ma'am, ma'am.

Pudu, Cathay station is here.

Get off here.

(Kuala Lumpur, Pudu, former site of Cathay Cinema)

(Chinese primary school)

What would you like?

One teh tarik, one warm water.

Okay.

Don't let our late troupe leader down.

Perform the last show well today.

Alright, let's go after finishing.

Eat quickly.

Right, I've paid.

Let's go.

Ah Gui!

Ah Yao!

Ah Gui!

Ah Gui!

Ah Yao!

Are you going to Sungai Buloh to visit a relative?

There used to be a leper hospital there.

The hospital is still there to this day.

Do you have a relative who caught leprosy?

Back then...

I often heard the elders say

that the Chinese were most afraid of catching leprosy.

They didn't dare to go near that area.

I once had a Chinese friend,

also a taxi driver.

He told me

that after his grandmother's child caught leprosy,

she directly sent the child there.

She never wanted to acknowledge that child again.

It's really pitiful.

Even when the child was dying,

she didn't dare to see them one last time.

This place is very remote, you should be careful.

(Sungai Buloh Leper Hospital back hill)

(Mass grave of 513 incident victims)

(Hakka Taoist funeral ritual)

Show me your ID and permit.

Officer, please show some mercy.

I know it was allowed to set up before.

I don't know why it's not allowed now.

I've always set up the stage for performances here.

It started from my mother's generation.

You said it yourself, that was in the past.

Now there is a mosque built in front.

Times are different now.

You should really face reality.

Take down the stage quickly.

If you insist on performing,

don't blame us for taking tough measures.

Or do you want to come back to the office with us?

Don't be like that.

We'll just take down the stage.

Good, then I'll give you half an hour.

If these things are still here in half an hour,

don't blame us for being heartless.

Understand?

Okay, we'll take it down immediately.

Remember, just half an hour.

Okay, okay.

Officer, thank you.

Well? Still building?

Pack it up.

Come on, lift it up.

No need to act anymore.

Just call it a day.

I've been with the troupe my whole life.

Now they're just tearing down your stage.

Not issuing a fine

is considered polite enough.

I had thought the Pu Changchun Troupe

could finish its final performance properly.

But it doesn't matter.

As long as I can still move,

I can still sing.

Next year, I will definitely come back here.

And sing with you again.

Life's long sorrows flow eastward like water,

Yellow leaves fall, maples turn red.

The past seems like a fleeting dream,

Waking to the sound of the night bell.

Not a paulownia flower, don't yearn for the phoenix.

(Grave of an Unnamed Chinese Immigrant)

The death knell rings in hell.

A woman of virtue,

She faces tragedy, hiding her face,

In times of great crisis, she remains unseen.

Today in the courtroom, I bare my face,

My heart already trembling,

How can I endure the heartless torture?

What does it matter? The courts are dark,

Accustomed to judging by gold.

I live on Red Plum Lane by the Autumn River,

Alas, the marriage bed is cold, the farewell song sung.

A parting forever, separated by life and death.

I will not be like the wife who fanned the grave,

I follow Lady Meng Jiang in devotion to my husband.

But who will look after my white-haired mother-in-law?

I would rather be Zhao Wuniang, selling my hair to save my kin.

Would you like to try some Nyonya kuih?

I made them myself.

May I sit here?

It's my first time here.

I saw in the paper last week

that someone is buying this place to build something.

It would be a pity to tear it down.

This place must have been very remote before.

Is that grave your mother's?

I just noticed it looked strange, different from the others.

The tombstone even has a Chinese name engraved.

You must have been coming here for many years, right?

Is your family from the opera world?

My family is Hokkien.

My mother was a Nyonya descendant.

This Nyonya kebaya was left to me by her.

My mother used to love watching Cantonese opera.

On the day of 513,

I went with her to Pudu to watch the show.

That night, my father took my brother to the Cathay Cinema.

He wouldn't let me go with them.

Who knew the riots would break out?

My mother and I hid inside the opera stage all night.

We were lucky, I suppose.

Otherwise, we would have been killed.

My father and brother weren't so fortunate.

Later, we couldn't even find their bodies.

After that happened,

my mother took me everywhere looking for their graves.

We searched and searched but just couldn't find them.

Now my mother has passed away too.

I'm the only one left still looking.

I think

they were secretly brought here that night and buried.

But I've searched all day,

and I just can't find their names.

Perhaps they were holders of red identity cards,

so the government didn't record their names.

They were driven all this way back then;

they must have buried people here.

I have no choice but to pay respects at an unmarked grave.

1969.

49 years already.

Even the government from back then has been replaced.

(Liang Wengui, Liang Guanyao)

I think they must have been reincarnated by now.

So, will you come again next year?

Ask the west wind,

ask the white clouds.

Is this my destiny?

Ah...

We

are still

bystanders of 1969,

able only to probe for the truth.

Those nameless peers of the same age,

a tragic song echoing through half a century.

Like May,

but lacking the smoke of battle.

Too late

to bury that blue identity card,

offered to you.

Before you closed your tearful eyes,

the last cry of helplessness you heard

was the cold gunfire

ignited by heartless men.

You who fell,

with the blood-red date carved on your backs.

Watching in silent shock,

a red identity card burning in the fire.

You who sleep,

never knowing you lie on an endless hill,

unvisited by anyone,

a resting place not even the state

dares to mention.

Malay Mak Yong chant: My destiny is full of suffering.

Oh Heaven,

please listen to my tearful plea for the hardships I suffered in a foreign land.

The elegy of May,

softly sung,

offered to

those without heaven or day,

without sound or trace,

without support or reliance,

without tracks or shadows,

without words or speech,

without names or surnames.

Those people.

Far East Translation Subtitle Production.

A Hai Peng Film, True Feelings Everywhere

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