Original subtitles

Bidding will start at $300,000.

Do I hear $300,000?

Thank you.

Who will offer $400,000?

I have $400,000.

Who will offer five hundred... $500,000?

700,000?

No, we have 700,000.

My goodness, 800,000.

Do I have an offer for $1 million?

$1 million and advance on the $1 million. Sir?

Going once.

Going twice.

Gone for $1 million to Mr.

Morton's grandson on the right.

Pack the other things carefully, please. Absolutely.

Absolutely.

Congratulations, sir.

It's a beautiful collection.

And from what I understand the most extraordinary woman.

She was indeed

Stuart (V.O.): My grandfather said Leon Shojo

was the most extraordinary woman he had ever known.

Xu Yi was full of life, bright, beautiful and talented.

She dared to break from the golden chains of her family's

wealth and privilege

to forge her own path through painting and poetry.

They met in the 1930s in Shanghai's golden era,

Grandfather’s said during World War Two,

without her help, he would never

have made it out of occupied China alive.

She lived in his heart to the day he died.

Ziyi!

Yi-Niang: Ziyi!

Where are you, you naughty girl?

Get back here this instant.

Yi-Niang.

Yi-Niang: Oh, you're a disgrace.

Barefoot and in boy's clothing.

Who would want to marry a brat like you?

Someone who loves me.

Don't backchat me, girl!

Why your mother and father

allow such nonsense like this is beyond me.

But now that I'm second wife,

I'm going to put a stop to this before you embarrass us all.

Get to the washbasin.

Clean your filthy feet.

You're going to be late to poetry lesson.

Yi-Niang: Lord husband. Lord husband.

Yes. What is it?

That girl of yours is a disgrace.

Unlike our darling boy Fu who never gives me

a moment's trouble.

That's my heir.

You have to look presentable all the time.

And Confucius say to eat in moderation.

Hm?

♪ I’m a butterfly, I’m a butterfly ♪

♪ I’m a butterfly ♪

Daughter.

Lord Zhou: I will have quiet.

You see, my lord.

She is high spirited. I grant you.

Yi-Niang: Mark my word, Lord Husband,

you must bind her feet, to curb her wild, boyish ways.

Or she'll become unmanageable and unmarriageable.

Yes, well...

I will consider it.

Now if there's nothing else?

What is she complaining about this time?

Ziyi, who else? That girl is too wild.

She is full of life, but also good, kind hearted and loyal.

Lotus wants to bind our only daughter's feet.

To calm her down.

But surely times are changing.

I have not decided yet.

Now let's recite

Li Bai’s poem from memory.

My old friend bids farewell to me

in the west at Yellow Crane Tower. Amid March’s

he goes down to Yangzhou. The distant image of

his lonely sail disappears in the blue sky.

And all I see,

is the long river

following the edge of sky.

Very good there, Mistress Zhou.

Now let's start with Meng Haoran poetry.

The spring, the...

Spring...

The Spring dawn I was sleeping sound.

Catching birds...

everywhere?

I had enough for today.

Hey!

Stop it!

Mom!

I did... - What is going on here?

Who dared disrupt my peace and quiet?

I didn't do anything.

She just hit me.

Lord Zhou: You struck my son and heir?

Wicket girl.

B-but, Father, I didn't do anything.

He started it.

This has gone far enough.

You will summon the foot binder.

No, Father, please. No!

Lord Zhou: Silence.

A girl must learn her place.

Lady Zhou: Lord husband, the foot-binder is here.

It's not too late.

She brought it on herself.

Please.

Yi-Niang: Stop moving, girl.

Let the foot binding do his bidding.

Lady Zhou: Please, please...

Sit still.

Stop.

Art Dealer: This is nice.

But this masterpiece is from the Tang Dynasty

depicting man's search for Buddha.

Daughter, you must not eavesdrop on your father.

Oh, no, Mother, I'm trying to see

what I could do to thank him.

You are a dutiful daughter, Ziyi.

But don't listen long.

Art Dealer: ...Superb collection.

All for a mere cost of...

20 silver sycees.

Hmm. Come...

A cup of tea before we talk business.

Philistines!

Someone has destroyed our masterpiece.

Everyone in here?

Now!

Fu!

Did you do this?

Speak up.

No I... - Take a punishment like a man.

Father... - No!

Fu did not do it.

I did.

Lord Zhou: You did this?

Why would you commit such sacrilege?

You said they were seeking the Buddha

here they have found him.

How dare your presume the...

Lord Zhou: You’re right.

This is better.

I have underestimated you, daughter.

Ziyi (V.O.): Art became the air I breathed and gave me a voice.

A woman can only dream of having.

Do you think Father will like his birthday present?

It’s beautiful, how could you not?

Father, here's my birthday gift for you.

Lord Zhou: Oh, my goodness.

Daughter is...

this a new technique?

It's meant to find the beauty in life's uncertainties.

Very interesting.

I like it.

I like it.

Oh, thank you, Father.

Don't think that you're going

to get any special treatment here in the big city, girl.

Girl, you're nothing more than an uneducated

country bumpkin.

You must mean an educated country bumpkin.

But with your kind encouragement,

not for long.

Mr. Jiang Lord Zhou, welcome, welcome.

Welcome...

Your fame as the finest art

teacher in China precedes you, Mr. Jiang.

You do me too

great an honor, Lord Zhou.

Of course, I take very few students each year,

but I would be happy

to review your son's portfolio to see if he's ready.

Lord Zhou: It is not my son.

I wish you to teach.

It is my daughter.

Uh, I'm sorry, my Lord.

I teach professional artists only.

No dabblers,

no females.

Lord Zhou: Respectfully, Mr.

Jang, it is my intention

that my daughter pursue art professionally.

If you allow my frankness,

she has the aptitude for it.

Be that as it may,

it just isn't done.

Honorable Master Jiang,

you said you only take student whose work was good enough.

Is it?

Well,

Young lady, this is really your work?

On my honor...

It is all hers.

Are you a hard worker?

Will you take my advice without any

girlish nonsense?

No flirting.

Only art.

Art and more art.

Oh, yes, master Jiang. Only art, art, and more art.

And I will work harder than any of your other students.

You will not be sorry, Master Jiang.

I'm sorry already.

Come I will show you

the proper way to do it.

But you must also study poetry.

Hey, meet my daughter, Wei.

She can keep an eye on you.

Ziyi (V.O.): Everything was thrilling and new.

My new studies, new ideas,

new best friend Jiang Bi Wei.

The whole world was alive with possibility

and I knew an endless shining future lay ahead.

If I was willing to work hard and strive for it.

Art became

that special language that only my father and I shared.

We were cut from the same canvas he and I

painted by the same brush.

Art filled every waking hour

and gave me my lust for life.

In my grateful heart,

I thanked my parents every day for the priceless gift of art

and freedom they gave me.

Mr Jiang: This line... This is also good.

Yes, you are ready.

Please, Guan Yin,

a man of ambition like myself must have a glamorous wife.

Bring her to me.

I beg you.

Mr. Jiang: Hey, hey, hey, boys. Stop gawping.

We mustn’t keep Mr. Song waiting.

His fine fan shop caters to the wealthiest,

most influential clients in the city.

Many, a fine artistic career

has started with fan painting for the nobility.

So do your best to impress him.

Mr. Song: Oh, Master Jiang.

Welcome. Welcome.

To my humble shop.

Prosperous as ever Mr. Song.

Mr. Song: I get by, I get by. Thank you, uh... Mr. Jiang.

With no small thanks.

Every year you bring your finest students here.

And every year their exquisite fans sell like...

Soup dumplings.

So what have you brought me today?

Yeah, please.

Oh, no, no, too garish here.

A fan must be visible from a distance, but tastefully.

Not vulgar.

What's this? A female artist?

Oh, no.

What would my clients say?

They want top ranked male artist.

Not a dilettante.

I can assure you. (Speaking Chinese) Boss Song.

Her work is first rate.

Master Jiang, I know I'm fashion forward,

but I'm not revolutionary.

These new women are too much for me.

Kind, sir.

As a token of my appreciation

for this opportunity in this fine establishment.

I would humbly waive my share of revenues for

a month?

Two months.

Two months it is!

But if they don't sell in two weeks, out you go.

Okay. I'll make sure it sells.

Nice.

Thank you, thank you.

Mr. Song Mrs these have just arrived.

Let me show you some of these first.

The painting is incredible.

Oh why are they not selling?

I only have two days left.

I don't know.

They match perfectly with what

the wealthy ladies are wearing this season.

Don't worry. I'll make sure my husband buys me one.

He likes your work.

Xu Beijong likes my work?

I mean, that means a lot because he's a successful artist.

Oh, look that lady picked up one of your fans!

Lady Xu: Aiyo Boss Song! This is exquisite.

Is it by one of your top ranked artists?

I only want the best.

Oh, yes, yes, Lady Xu, she is actually...

She?!

I told you, I only buy the best.

I'm never going to make a sale at this rate.

Lady Xu: I don't want a woman's work.

Do something.

Lady Xu...

You have excellent taste.

Did you know that this particular design is much

sought after in Shanghai's French Quarter?

You do know that Paris is the fashion capital of the world.

Oui...

Lady Xu (Speaking Chinese): Yes it’s true.

I buy all my couture dresses from Paris.

I can tell, but unfortunately, this particular design

is already spoken for by Shanghai's top official’s wife.

So to make up for your

unfortunate event, I can offer you two fans

from the same artist for the price of one.

Two for the price of one.

That's too good to pass up. I'll take them.

No, no, I saw them first.

I'll take two to bring back to New York.

Oh the pompous Lady Tsu will envy my two new beautiful fans.

I'm buying four.

Wait can I show this off at the governor's gala next week?

Please tell all of your friends and this offer is only good for

one week.

Two.

Two weeks it is.

He was sold out in one day.

You know, I'm so excited! But you know, my real dream

is to have my art at museums, not just in fan shops.

One step at a time, Ziyi.

Hey there, beautiful artist girl.

Come I have, I have a lovely trinket for you.

Marry me.

You can paint my wares. It will make a fortune!

No wash basins or piss pots for my girl!

She's headed straight from the national museum.

You'll regret shunning me.

I'll be someone someday! Then you’ll pay!

Shanghai nigh, Shanghai night ♪

♪ You’re a city that never sleeps ♪

May not be the Governor's

Ball yet, but it's pretty grand, right?

Like you said, one step at a time.

Oh my god are those

Hollywood movie star Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford?

Wasn’t he so dreamy in Robin Hood.

I loved her in Little Annie Rooney.

She was so brave.

I'd kill for her dress.

Oh, I’d kill for a part in one of their movies.

Don't you love ballroom dancing?

It's all the rage in America and Paris.

It's awfully daring. Their bodies are touching.

Exactly.

But it's also so elegant,

so refined, like they're floating on moonbeams.

Well, I think.

I think I dreamt about this before.

I wonder if I remember the steps.

I think it was one...

Oh, oh, darlings, come, come.

Oh, kiss, kiss, lovely.

Love the hair.

Darlings I’m so sorry.

You-you just missed Charlie Chaplin.

But please let me introduce the Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

And America's sweetheart, Mary Pickford.

God, I love Shanghai!

Crossroads of the world.

These three lovely nymphs are the leading lights of Shanghai.

But Reginald, who are these lovely ladies truly?

We’re the living end. The “W, X, Z Alphabet Girls.”

Wei, Xiaoman, and Ziyi.

Aren't you missing the Y?

Well, madam, as artists, we are forever trying to solve

the eternal “why’s” of the universe.

Touche! Beautiful and witty.

There goes our leading lady.

It’s the studious ones you have to watch out for.

Let's get a drink.

The delicacy of your line work is superb, Xiaoman.

Oh, and the depth and nuance

of your visual and poetic coupling is superb, Ziyi.

Well, I hope the judges think so, too.

And the poem is wonderful.

It references tradition, but from a fresh perspective.

Just what I was going for.

Quite an astute observation, Miss...

Lu Xiaoman.

I never thought I'd see Xiaoman with another guy,

especially after her unhappy marriage.

It is your privilege to be considered by Mr.

Morton and myself for this international exhibition,

which will tour the United States and Canada.

Today,

we will search for the top five finest young artists in China.

They must not only be talented beyond their peers,

but knowledgeable about the great art from around the world.

Where’s the artist?

I am the artist.

Zhou Lianxia.

What is the meaning of this?

Yes, sir. Yes, sir...

How dare you allow a woman into this exhibit?

We do not show embroidery or hats.

Do you want to make us the laughing stock of the art world?

Honorable sirs,

you said you would pick the five finest artists in China,

people who are talented and are knowledgeable about world art.

I know your word is sacred, but

allow me to demonstrate

my knowledge of world art.

She’s reenacting The Scream.

Very charming.

Edvard Munch.

Okay, one second.

Get down.

Come on, I need your help.

Don't be shy.

You'll love it.

I got it. The kiss.

Gustav Klimt.

One more.

Come on, you guys.

I need all of you.

I need this and this.

I'm going to put it right here.

Okay...

And...

Le Dejeuner Sur L’Herbe!

And quite as shocking as many intended it to be.

Brilliant,

brilliant.

What a grasp of art history! Come now.

Honorable sir...

You said... we said we wanted the most

brilliant and original artists China has to offer.

After that display can there be any doubt?

Lady Zhou (Speaking Chinese): Ziyi, look!

You got a letter and package from Canada?

I don't think I know anyone there.

But let me take the letter.

You wanna open package? - Sure.

Morton (V.O.): Dear Miss Zhou, it is with great pleasure

that I inform you that you have won first prize

in the International Exhibition touring the U.S.

and Canada.

My clever Ziyi won first place.

I can't believe I received this honor.

Come, your father will be beside himself.

You know, after that ridiculous display of male ego

at the competition,

it's clear that women need to take a stand for themselves.

That's why I invited you here.

Jade!

This is Zhou Lianxia, who won the international exhibition.

Jade is on the executive board of this new group,

a China Woman's Painting and Calligraphy Association.

We all can be co-founders.

I mean, please call me Ziyi.

It's an honor to be with so many women here.

Ladies, let's get the meeting started, shall we?

Oh, Feng Wefeng, our president's about to start.

Wellcome, everyone.

We all know the problems women artists are facing nowadays.

So we are here to find ways to create more opportunities

for us all.

Now, any suggestions

on how we can get our work into more exhibitions?

We can ask the galleries to host our exhibition.

We have tried this, but we can keep on trying

and any other new ideas?

Well, my uncle plays mahjong with a collector

so I can introduce us.

It's very interesting. I like that.

Umm, any other new ideas?

Why not just hold our own exhibition?

Well, that's easy for you to say.

You come from money. Not all of us do.

How can we afford all of this?

We could raise our money.

If we don't take

a stand for ourselves, no one will take us seriously.

The time is now.

We have to do something.

Collectors will have to take us more seriously.

I will all agreed to explore this?

Good. Let's start planning.

At last, a girls night!

Beihong’s been painting nonstop and Xiaoman

is so smitten with Zhimo I can't drag her out anymore.

What's wrong with you guys?

We can all be muses, Wei. Okay?

Look, I'm trying to get my poem

into the prestigious Shun Bao News and we have the galleries.

Yes, yes. Kudos to you and all that. But we can't-

You can't go completely blue stocking on me.

A girl's got to tear it up now and then. Tonight we dance.

I did design your shoes for this occasion...

But you know, um...

I-I'm hoping to

create a new path for fashionistas.

I think this will help.

Oh, maybe the fashion pages will open up story on us.

I don't know.

I mean, people like to think that female artists

will settle down for any guy and create a family,

the first chance they get so... - Uh, cause, cause Ziyi!

Don’t you want to just attract the attention

of just one man in particular?

No, I-I don't have time for men. Okay?

Men do have their uses, you know.

Oh, my god, Wei, you're hopeless.

I watched you sashaying around in your

scandalous, little dress looking for a bit of action. Are you?

Umm, I’m sorry. - Well, I’m your man.

But for your information, this is.

This is a fashion statement,

not an invitation to a lecherous bore.

Oh don't try acting coy now.

All you taxi girls are alike.

Some may accuse me of having big head,

but I always get my way.

I'm sorry, but not when you think with your little head.

Okay?

I'll show you, little...

Let go of... Let go!

Stop, stop, stop.

All you taxi girls are alike!

Stop...

Now you'll get what's coming.

Are you okay?

What did I miss?

So I guess when you say that you have no time for men,

you meant you work fast, right?

We...

I didn’t mean to. It’s just I couldn’t even stop it.

He was like lightning laced with butterflies.

Our hearts linked to the single beat

a stranger's whose face was more familiar than my own.

I mean, it was like...

Yin and yang and human form.

You tease, but that's exactly it.

I mean, it was a vast and still timelessness,

as if we shared all of eternity

in an instant.

Love makes anything possible.

My golden butterfly.

Ziyi (V.O.): No one passes our bamboo hedge.

Save only the dragonflies and butterflies.

Flitting about...

Honorable father.

I want to talk about

marriage.

What perfect timing stepdaughter.

Your father and I were just discussing your future.

Despite your many shortcomings, I have arranged the most

marriage between you and my most esteemed cousin,

Mr. Du Long.

Lady Zhou: No, nothing’s decided yet Ziyi?

He'll be here shortly.

It was all take a turn in the garden.

It's a lovely day.

So I'm... Do you have a favorite artist?

Artists... Art it's a waste of time.

The world is all about money.

And your dowry will bring me a tidy sum.

I'm sure my gracious stepmother

told you that I'm a classically trained artist.

She also told me you'll be giving all that up

the day we marry. No wife of mine

is going to parade herself in public like that.

Yi-Niang: Don't they make a charming couple.

Looks aren't everything.

He's an ignorant tyrant. Okay.

After all the time that I took to find you

an eligible bachelor.

- Oh, you ungrateful little... - Enough, Lotus!

Mind your tongue. I'm first wife, not you.

He's not right for her.

Ziyi, we will discuss this with your father.

This the time they take to find the right part.

No, father, please.

Please...

Don't make me marry that man.

Strangling a woman’s creativity is worse than binding her feet.

Women yearn to touch the divine, just as men do.

Forbidding your art

would be like

tearing the wings of a butterfly.

Thank you. Thank you father.

There’s this book.

There's a handsome man I’m smitten by.

Yi-Niang: What?

What have you been doing behind our backs, you nasty girl?

Nothing. Okay.

He's an honorable man from a fine family.

Yi-Niang: He must be totally inappropriate.

I've asked him to come here

so you can see for yourself.

Lady Zhou: We know nothing of the boy.

And it's not your place to say.

He will drag this family into the gutter

with her wild ways.

Too handsome.

Must be penniless Fortune hunter.

Come in.

My silver tongue lover,

how did you convince my my dad to say yes?

You doubt my natural charms.

Well, I...

I did have to promise to take a job at the Postal

and Communications Bureau.

Until I can support you with my photography.

Of course.

No, I'm so sorry,

Wanping.

Do you mind at all? - No, darling.

It's actually a prestigious post and a very small price to pay

for eternal happiness.

Now, enough of these formal shots,

let’s have some fun.

Now, we are wed...

Oh, it's beautiful Wanping.

“Meet, or part.”

“Live or die.”

We've made an oath.

You and I.

Give me your hand.

For I to hold.

And live with me till we grow old.

Only if you can catch me.

How forceful your strokes are, husband.

How exquisite your curves are, wife.

Hmm all I want to do to you,

is what Spring does to the cherry blossom.

What's all this fuss about?

Oh, look, that's the honeymoon booklet.

I want to see it.

Ziyi!

Oh darling little...

You look radiant.

I told you, men have their uses.

Butterflies fly into love with love.

Oh no, don't give us mushy poetry. We want all the

thrilling details. What’s Wanping like in bed.

Wei, give the poor girl some privacy.

Not everyone is as public with their affairs like you.

Or you and your darling Zhimo are. Privacy? Pufff...

This book of photos and poems you and Wanping published

is pretty racy.

It’s not. It’s... It's refined, right?

I mean, look, Wanping and I, we each wrote poems.

But he took the photos.

I think the butterfly and dragonfly couplet

was lovely.

Well, well, it's selling like, bao buns.

You even made the Society News headlines.

Wedding of the year.

They didn’t say that about my wedding.

Well, I mean, that's because you secretly eloped in Paris

with Xu Beihong.

More like the scandal of the year.

Your parents even told everyone died.

All right, all right. That's ancient history now.

No need to be rude or I’ll ask your darling Zhimo

how well he knows Pearl Buck!

I'm only kidding. Nobody believes that gossip.

That you're busy

whispering about my husband's young, sexy art students.

If he wants two wives I’d kill him.

“A spray of red apricot blossoms peeps out from the wall...”

Never mind! Let's get some champagne

to drown out sorrows I mean celebrate the happy couple.

But I still want all the juicy details.

No! Ziyi: You sure?

Ziyi (V.O.): The good rain

knows it’s season.

When spring arrives, it brings new life.

What you're working on?

Another article that no one will buy.

I mean, you have no problems getting published.

Does my pen not work

as well as yours?

Even better.

But I...

have other mhmm...

equipment that society values more.

Oh, yes, you do.

Someday...

the whole world will see you as I do.

I think we artists and poets are a species unto ourselves.

You got that right.

Hey!

And our work, a unique expression of an artist’s soul.

Except for Dai-Chien. He just copies everyone else.

You mock me now but wait and see.

My art will eclipse all you peons.

I had a vision about it when I was a monk.

Dai-Chien have I seen you before?

Yes, when I was at the temple when I was 14.

You said I was destined for greatness.

Dai-Chien: Oh, that'll be $100, please.

Ziyi there is something in the caterpillar

that tells you it's going to be a butterfly.

But you also said I would experience great sorrow.

Okay. A $50 discount.

Darling what did the owner say just now?

Well, he said, because we're so famous,

he wants to pay us to promote his restaurant.

Oh, but I told him only if he could give me a crystal belly

so everyone could see how wonderful his food is.

Yes, yes, yes! Cheers to that.

And I will drink to that.

Xu Beihong: Our new cultural movement has to throw off

the chains of the old ways, especially in times of war.

It's good to question things you've taken

for granted for too long.

The hardest thing in life to learn is which bridge to cross

and which to bed.

Here, here Bertrand.

I prefer to find my poetry on the street

than in the classroom.

The traditional ways are too stifling.

Yes!

I don't think you find poetry, brother.

I think it finds you.

Cheers to that!

No. Poetry rules my heart.

But there are things

that I can say with color and ink that no words can.

Sometimes as I paint,

I can feel part of myself going back thousands of years

to touch the artists who went before me.

One feeds the eye.

One feeds the ear.

They both feed the soul.

Cheers. - Cheers.

So uh... Zhimo.

You’ve got good connections, right?

But why isn't the government doing more

to stop the Japanese invasion? I'm not sure.

How should I know?

I'm a poet, not a politician.

But I am traveling to the capital tomorrow.

I'll keep my ears open.

Appreciate it. - Cheers.

Have you read the Shun Bao News?

Okay. If I-I swear...

If I read one more article that's ill informed about

Chinese literature, I’m...

I'm going to take out an ad in protest.

Have they not heard of Lu Xun before?

Or your work?

Modesty stops me from publishing my own work. But...

Seriously who picks the writers?

I-I don't get it.

I do. Forgive my intrusion,

but I couldn't help but overhearing you.

I'm Norwood Allman.

Editor-in-Chief of the much maligned Shun Pao.

Oh, my God. Please, please. Excuse me.

I'm Zhou Lianxia.

I spoke too frankly, it's a terrible fault of mine.

I really apologize for that.

You that young debutante that we featured in our society pages.

Yeah, I-I'm...

I’m a classically trained poet and painter,

so my concern is genuine.

I mean, there's so many young poets, that are rising in China,

and they deserve a chance.

Like who?

Ai Qing, Lu Zun, Dai Wangshu, and so many others.

All right.

Let me see what you made of. 1500 words on China's

promising new poets on my desk by Friday.

Don't disappoint.

Did he just give you a job?

Oh Ziyi, the Shun Pao!

Oh, my god. Kill me!

Honestly, if anyone can turn a reprimand

to a career opportunity, it would be you.

Ziyi come quick. Xiaoman is devastated.

She just got a telegram that’s awful.

Zhimo just died in a plane crash.

What?

Zhimo!

Air raid! The children.

Go! - Run, run!

Following the invasion of Shanghai, Japanese forces

advanced on Nanjing, leaving carnage in their wake.

Western missionaries

are reporting the Japanese have massacred over 200,000

Chinese civilians and raped and tortured

tens of thousands of Chinese... who've is still to come for me?

Oh Mrs. Zhou, do they come for me?

No, I don't think so Mrs. Kubernick.

The Jewish are always welcome in Shanghai.

Come on, let's go back to our families.

Barbarians! What they did in Nanjing.

So many are dead.

- And those poor women. - Keep your voice is down.

You want to get us all killed?

They wouldn't dare. Okay.

This is the international settlement.

Not when the whole world is watching.

We’ll move past them.

Hi, sir. Would you like to join?

No please just take a look.

Oh, we have to keep pushing.

Ziyi (V.O.): I was a blank sheet of paper full

of power, potential and promise.

But if I didn't paint my own life on it, somebody else

would.

Oh, remember that night? Such glamour.

See you and Wanping were with us.

Yeah, but...

we have more important things to do now.

I do want to get home before the kids go to bed.

Remember those gorgeous pre-war fashions?

Oh, I'd give my eyeteeth for a dress like that.

But we have to go to Paris to get them.

Look, it's hard enough to get food, let alone dresses.

You could make one. Or spruce up an old one.

Please. I'm a muse. Not an artist.

I will look like a burlap sack.

Night Wei.

If you insist on going

to Dora’s to get some dresses,

we should get going.

Uh, no, no.

You better go without me.

Nothing to wear.

Mhmm funny you should say that.

Where did you get that gorgeous dress?

I made it.

Oh, no, you didn’t!

I'm going to look like a cow beside you.

Funny you should say that.

Oh no you didn’t!

Come on. Let's go show Dora.

Mr. Xie, how are you?

You are here?

Of course.

Oh my friends, you look stunning!

Where did you get these gorgeous dresses?

I didn't make them.

Oh it’s a trade secret.

You look like Hollywood movie stars.

So would you like to see my new creation?

Look at this right here.

Just stunning.

And I think that this would look gorgeous on either one of you.

Honey...

Finally.

Do you have any idea what time it is?

You know, since everyone started wanting a piece of you, I.

I feel like I hardly see you anymore.

From our kids to your editors, the curators,

the woman's movement, the war effort.

Even that American banker

who thinks nothing of traveling from Hong come to Shanghai

just to lunch with you.

Look, even the society gossip pages

are starting to comment on how popular Madam Zhou

has become.

What about all those women

who can't wait for you to waltz them to ecstasy?

You know, your dance moves are legendary, my dear.

And I heard

that they call you Mr. Swivel-Hips.

Such a stupid nickname.

I feel like you don't have time for me anymore.

Mr. Swivel-Hips, really?

I'm sorry.

Your story is out today.

Well, hurry. I hear they have butter at

Spiegelman’s Deli in Little Kiev.

We need to get there before it's all gone.

It's another short story.

You don't write much poetry anymore.

It's the war.

People want to read uplifting stories,

something to get them out of the war.

Something to get them out of dark times.

What's next? Sermons?

Breaking News. It's official.

The Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor Sunday morning.

Early attack.

What's going on Mrs. Kubernick?

They bomb Pearl Harbor.

Why is that? - In America?

Who did? - Is the Japanese?

That's damn good news.

What? Don’t you all see what this means?

The Japanese think they're the only ones

who've never lost a war.

Well, neither have us Yanks.

And we won't take this lying down.

So that means that the Americans are entering the war on our side

Maybe good news, but there’s so much fright.

There’s so much death everywhere now.

It's the first mistake that Japan has made.

With luck, it'll cost them the war.

I don't know what to do.

You are one of us,

okay?

We're going to take care of you.

Thank you.

Guys look what I have here.

Oh what’s that?

It’s pork.

It’s pork? Mommy can I have some please?

Of course, it comes from a big fat pig. So please.

Boy 2: Me too. - Dig in.

There’s enough for everyone.

You're a miracle worker.

It’s amazing.

Oh, we have to thank Mrs. Kubernick

next time we see her.

Mm. Will do.

Remember one bowl of rice each.

Okay?

Hey!

Give that!

They think they can do whatever they want now.

What's to stop them turning Shanghai to another Nanjing?

That won’t happen, okay? We are mothers.

Even if we have to take weapons ourselves.

Ziyi (V.O.): My new poetry transformed

into the literature of witness.

Speaking out against atrocities,

trying to keep hope alive.

That's a picture I think is your first competition.

Look how young you were.

And you want that.

You were so surprised.

I wasn't.

And you got famous right after that.

All right.

I got some bad news, my butterfly.

The news from suppliers

in Japan is not good.

Ever since they bombed Pearl Harbor,

now they say Japan will take over the whole

international settlement to.

Surely it's still safe here?

No, they could seize all my goods

or worse.

I'm going to take my two wives

back to our family estate in Hunan.

We’ll be a lot safer there.

Then you and your family

must come too, huh?

Wanping and I have lives here.

Our careers are here.

What would we do over there?

Keep an old man happy.

Two wives do that well already, father.

Be safe.

She's lost her bloom.

Who knew,

the greatest of my children would be my daughter.

Not my son.

You can bury the speed and pressure to change a stroke.

So if you go smooth, it will look like that

or I can be choppy and look like that.

Or it could be rough and look like that.

So you can put your own personality into your work. Yes.

Good. Okay.

How about... How about you? Impress me.

Daddy's home!

Hello.

Oh, my goodness. - You working hard?

Give your dad a chance to relax.

Let's just go to dinner first.

Lin? Lin: Okay.

Can you help me with the kids, please?

Thank you.

You look like a cat in a cream.

What’s going on?

I'm getting promoted.

More responsibility and a pay raise!

That's amazing. And you're so young still.

Yeah. - Oh, I'm so proud of you.

Okay, wait-wait... I want to hear more about this.

Tell me everything. What's going on?

So they want me to courier top secret documents the government

and distribute anti-Japanese pamphlets around the city.

I'll have to travel more as well.

Wait, what?

No it will help drive out the Japanese...

and boost Chinese morale.

No.

Do you not know how dangerous that is?

What if the Japanese were to catch you?

If they caught me,

that would do the same thing they do to anyone else.

My dearest Wanping, where are you?

Ziyi (V.O.): Home... I'll go early to sleep,

hoping to be one with you in my dreams.

So long as our hearts together soon...

What does it matter if there is light or moon?

Mr. Xu, Mrs. Zhou,

a couple of pictures, please, real quick.

Right there. Thank you so much.

Mr. Xu.

Thank you.

Hey, Chen, it's bad enough

there's no pork to be had for love or money.

Stop hogging the dim sum.

You've already drank all the wine.

Beihong, you’re back.

Mhmm... - You know, they say great

art nourishes culture and poor art debases it.

I'd hate to have you struggle to get a masterpiece

because of your empty stomach.

Trust an intellectual to say a simple thing

in a complicated way

while we artists say complicated things in a simple way.

No, great art begins with truth.

So how was Russia?

Oh, great Vodka, terrible food.

I couldn't find anything I needed.

Well, I mean, good thing we have art, poetry and love.

I mean, if that's not enough, then what is?

I'm going to go to Singapore to sell more paintings

to help the war effort against the Japanese.

I mean, I could donate all my work too,

although I won't sell as much as yours.

But every little bit helps.

So where's Wen Yiduo?

I thought he was coming tonight.

He's at the Li Gonpu’s memorial.

He'll be here soon.

Waiter.

The whole world's at war and

China is at the tip of the spear.

Why isn't the West doing more to help us?

At least Americans are sending those Flying Tiger pilots.

With their P-40 Warhawks.

Hopefully the Japanese won't know what hit them.

I met a Flying Tiger once at a Shanghai club.

Harry Moyer.

He was a very nice man.

I mean, he genuinely likes the Chinese.

No prejudice.

Really, huh?

I didn't know that.

Where is the love in modern art?

This brutal war is forcing

artists to be more and more abstract.

I think as the masculine drive to control nature,

make the organic inorganic. Reduce

the exquisite human form to a mathematical formula.

Where's the love in that?

I got your masculine love drive right here.

And there's nothing

mathematical about that.

Except one plus one.

Chen!

You hopeless, sexist.

I mean, I think you'd be so much happier

if women were crawling

on all fours and running free in the wind.

You're right.

Ziyi, show me that “on all fours” part.

Maybe I should.

You know, since.

Since you haven't evolved from the ocean

troglodyte that you are.

Why don't I return you to your natural habitat?

China is greater when women hold

half the sky and ocean.

When the New York Stock Exchange opens by noon,

shares of General Electric... Ziyi: Morton, Morton!

I’ll ca... I have to go.

Ziyi, what’s wrong.

I got your urgent message.

I have to warn you. Okay?

My husband just told me that the Japanese are closing

in on all foreigners in China,

especially Jews, even in international settlement.

You know, that's a death sentence!

They wouldn’t dare. We control most of the

banking and financing for Asia, right here on the Bund.

That doesn’t matter anymore.

The Japanese start the internments tomorrow.

They have ghetto camps ready,

and they're going to start the arrests.

You need to leave for Hong Kong tonight.

Tonight?

You want to take the chance, that he’s wrong.

You have, you have have offices in Hong Kong.

You have nothing to lose.

All right, for your sake, I will. I'll be back next week.

And if anything changes, you have to let me.

Thank you, thank you okay?

I have to go. I have to warn others.

But please

let me know when you get to Hong Kong safely.

You're still one of a kind, Ziyi.

Be safe.

Okay. Okay.

Mom?

Where’s father? What’s going on?

Oh, it’s awful! Your father is gone.

You mean away to Hong Kong?

Lady Zhou: No, no. He's dead!

Last night.

No...

What happened?

The doctor said that it was his heart.

But I have my suspicions.

That monster second wife of his

just threw me out.

She can’t do that. You are first wife.

Her son is the master now.

He inherited the estate.

I have nowhere to go.

Mom, that's nonsense.

Okay? Your home is here with us.

And I don't care about the state.

Her treatment of you is unforgivable.

Do you wanna go inside first?

Ziyi (V.O.): With World War Two over,

we had such hopes for a joyful future for all of China.

But that was not to be.

My dear!

Hi, it’s finally over...

Most amazing. I can’t believe it.

Now we will have some peace. I mean, at last.

Oh darling... I...

I wish that were the case, but we still have

a civil war going on.

I mean, after all these years,

haven't people had enough of war?

With the Japanese retreating

then the foreigners giving Shanghai back to the Chinese?

There's just too much at stake

for either side to back down now.

I mean that the whole country's up for grabs.

Men and their egos and their lust for power.

It's just...

You never see women starting a war.

And we know it's our children that will suffer and die.

Why don't we get out of here?

You, me, the kids just go somewhere else.

I can’t. I mean, this is.

This is where we fell in love.

Our souls united here.

This is our motherland.

Never mind.

We have plenty of time to think about it.

And besides, the future may be bright.

Ziyi (V.O.): As the Chinese civil war

raged on, we made the most of the happiness we had.

There are always flowers for those who want to see them.

Hey, hey, Wanping!

Hey, I just saw Wei and Dai Chien

outside of the artist club.

They're in a frenzy from the Civil War ending.

They're all packing up and leaving

until things settle down.

Oh, that's terrible.

No need to shout like fish wife. He’s in the bedroom.

Packing.

Packing?

You leaving me already?

Just packing for my trip.

Our trip to Formosa.

You know, I've been helping

transition the postal service there

from Japanese control back to the Chinese.

Well, they promoted me again for doing a halfway decent job.

And there’s a ship leaving tonight.

You’re not leaving forever right?

No, just two weeks.

But why don't you come with me?

It'll be good for us.

No, no, no worries.

No kids, no war.

Just cows,

and meadows. For as far as the eye can see.

I-I can't.

I just started work at the girl's school.

They won't let me take a vacation so early.

Besides, what would I do in such natural splendor

for two weeks?

I can't paint dragonflies and butterflies all day.

Perhaps not, but...

You know, everything's just so uncertain nowadays.

Who knows how long it'll be before we-

Don't say that.

Okay, we have eternity and a day.

Okay?

You're right.

Come back to me safe and sound

my dear dragonfly.

Wanping (V.O.): I'm stuck here.

I am so sorry.

I never thought this would happen.

I promise I will find my way back to you.

Nothing's going to keep us apart.

I will move heaven.

I will move earth.

You wait for me.

Stay safe.

Stay alive.

But until then,

as the bright moon shines over the sea

from far away

you share this moment with me.

Ziyi (V.O.): For parted lovers,

lonely nights the worst shall be.

All night long I'll think of none but the.

When will I see you again my dearest husband?

The new government has allowed

me to come back in and settle affairs.

But all foreigners must leave by the end of the month.

This is it for me.

For us.

Sorry.

You've shown me so many kindnesses in the years.

I owe much of my success to your support.

Nonsense.

You earned it, Ziyi.

With hard work and sheer talent.

The honorable Wu Hufan.

I asked him to stop by.

He's one of China's most important art collectors.

His private collection rivals the National Gallery.

And he's a talent poet as well.

Madam Zhou Lianxia.

One of China's most accomplished artists and a founding member

of China Women's Painting and Calligraphy Association.

I went to one of your women's exhibition not too long ago

and saw your work.

I was impressed by your delicacy of lines

and the subtle layers of meaning you added with your choice

accompanying poems. Most compelling.

So you do know art?

That was my favorite too.

You know there's so many collectors

that are dilettantes that have just not the eye...

Ziyi!

Well, well.

Talented and plainspoken!

We're going to be fast friends.

I value honesty above all else.

I beg your pardon.

Please,

everyone extolls the virtue of honesty, then spends

half their lives politely lying to each other.

Speak of the devil.

I see. Mr. Chen is here.

Yeah.

He's been coveting my collection for years.

You better keep an eye on him. Benedict: Yeah.

I was saddened to discover you had thought every piece

at the exhibit there was nothing left for me.

She has a few gems hidden away somewhere, I’m sure.

It’s a Ming Dynasty vase!

I got to go.

They're going to destroy the whole collection.

You break it, you buy it.

Ziyi (V.O.): Dearest Wanping,

with seven mouths to feed

I've been selling my work and the family antiques.

But there are fewer and fewer buyers now, so money is tight.

But enough of my troubles.

Are you well?

How I missed you and wish I could send you

this small piece of my heart.

I live upstream and you downstream.

Come night to night of you I dream.

Well, Ziyi...

Since your painting references Bada Shanren’s work

should my companion poem evoke a sense of uncertainty,

with a touch of humor.

I love it.

It's perfect.

Ziyi, I have some good news.

You know, I’m the founding board member

of the Chinese Academy of Arts.

Well, a vacancy has come up in the faculty,

and I am most pleased to be able to offer you

a junior professorship with us.

How can I ever repay you for your kindness?

This is.

I’ll take that as a yes! And nonsense,

we are lucky to have an artist of your caliber.

It is I who should thank you.

Thank you. I'm serious.

Careful.

Someone might get the wrong idea.

You know how gossipy people are.

We are blameless friends

and I don't care about what gossip has to say.

I could have a doctor certify me.

Unfit for an affair.

You are impossible!

Students.

I have a very special honor for you today.

One of China's most talented artists

and a new art professor,

Madame Zhou Lianxia.

Art is not a thing.

It's.

It's a way, a path, an unveiling.

It's a vision.

And as artists, it's it's it's not important

what we see, but what we can make

others see.

It's about your little Nan?

She's all grown up.

Better start thinking about arranging a

suitable marriage soon.

Let love bloom where it may.

Ziyi (V.O.): Darling Husband,

food is getting scarce now.

Even rice.

So I worry for the children.

Will we get any rice today, mother?

I hope so, okay?

There will be no more rice today.

No rice today.

No, no, we haven't eaten, okay?

Good, good. Ziyi: No!

We need some, come on! Grab some!

Just a little bit bit more.

No, no, no, no... Let’s go!

We got rice.

Oh, wonderful.

So little.

I gave some away to Jade.

Careful, daughter.

You can’t feed everyone.

No, but...

I can feed one.

I mean, if only we could sell all these antiques for food.

But the vendors only take

government food stamps right now.

Nana?

I need toilet paper, Nana?

Zhong annoying.

It’s rationed.

Don’t use it all at once.

Well, are you kidding me, Nana?

Lady Zhou: No, oh my!

Oh mom! - I was robbed, bad.

They stole all of our food stamps!

So no food for tonight or the rest of the month?

Oh, my... Mom, are you okay?

You're really hurt. Please... just rest.

Wanna help grandma?

It’s okay, we got you. Okay?

God.

Just sleep. - You will be okay.

Thank you so much.

Look, take care of Grandma.

I'm going to go find Jade and borrow some food stamps.

Mm. No... You have a nasty scalp wound,

a concussion, and perhaps internal bleeding.

Nope.

Please get your strength back for your family.

No, you have to stay overnight.

No, I can't. My family has to eat.

I need to go.

They need you healthy and strong.

If you leave, you can die from a blood clot in your brain.

Don't be foolish.

Just lay back and rest.

Let's get you cleaned up.

We will get you cleaned up.

Please, please, stay.

Stay. Just rest.

Grandma, wake up.

Please I’m so hungry.

Please,

Grandma. Mommy!

What's wrong?

Are you okay?

You, my dear, are a very foolish woman.

You almost died.

Thank goodness you have a very sensible daughter.

Zhong ran to my place to get help.

What were you thinking?

You guys okay?

Mom, he’s fine.

Grandma is still oozy, but Jade is there with them.

Now please rest.

You can't carry the weight of the world

on your shoulders every minute.

Mom! It's a package from Mr. Morgan.

Lady Zhou: Oh, oh, oh, yes.

Come here, Mr. Morgan gave this to us.

This is... you.

You said you were going for a walk.

And didn’t we walk here.

This is too much.

I mean, it's going to wipe out half of your food stamps.

Sit. Sit.

I don't have children to feed and more food stamps

than I can use.

Now that you recovered from your head wound,

you need to treat yourself.

So we enjoy ourselves.

All right, boy, more food.

There you go, dig in.

It’s your favorite.

17 shrimps,

a young man like you can do better than that.

Eat... here. Pork.

Thank you.

Oh, Ziyi, the gift to send to your other children.

No, it’s, it's okay.

I insist.

Please.

You've always been so kind to me.

Like my dear brother.

And you're always my dear Ziyi.

Ziyi (V.O.): Dearest husband, it's been 17 years

since we were parted. So much has changed.

Our three older boys were

away to farm with all the other students.

Our Nan is married now to a nice teacher.

And our youngest son,

clever Zhong, won first prize at school.

You would be so proud of them all.

Feel the chi, be the stillness,

be the beauty.

Feel as the breath of life flows

from your fingertips to the paintbrush.

Close your eyes and sing

Oh, we took a wrong turn, sir.

The junior artist is this way.

You. It’s you.

I never forget a face.

I'll be someone someday.

Then you’ll pay!

You're the snobby girl artist

who was too good to paint my wares.

I don't remember that.

It doesn't sound like something I would say.

Oh, yes it is.

I never forget a slight.

No one's too proud to serve the great Chinese proletariat now.

It's a new Academy program.

You'll be responsible for painting these pieces

for mass consumption for my factory.

The workers deserve beauty too!

Everyone deserves beauty.

You find me amusing?

It just seems.

It seems that I've had an appointment

with this basin for a very long time.

Just look at her.

It's senior artist painting a common slop basin.

Why doesn’t she feel more humiliated?

Perhaps she really believe in the art for people.

Shut up.

Who asked you?

Ziyi.

Stop!

I have discovered you have been criticizing the government.

You wrote in your famous poem.

If two hearts truly love each other, what does it matter?

If there's no lights or moon?

You're symbolically accusing our country

of being in a dark time.

That was a poem I wrote to my husband

20 years ago, and I’ve

been honoring my students with accessible art,

Pretty words!

And you have been accused of consorting

with counterrevolutionaries?

I have not. I really have... - Come on, come on!

Can you just, please tell me who's accusing me?

I-I don't know what's going on.

Apply pressure,

but no permanent damage.

I'll deal with Mr. Wu myself.

All I wanted was to marry a woman like you.

To marry you.

I’m... I'm married.

Oh your husband’s dead. Didn’t they tell you that?

No, you're lying.

I can still feel him even after all these years.

No, you are mine!

Why can't you accept that I love you?

That I burn for you.

No, I can never love you.

Okay.

I can make you love me.

You abuse your power for your own gain.

Not for the people!

You dishonor yourself and our country!

You are nothing but a common bully!

I am not a bully!

My eye. My eye!

All art now belongs to the people.

What?

You mean you!

You have always wanted what was mine.

Take it... all!

It’s from Mr. Wu.

Lady Zhou (Speaking Chinese): Oh it’s for you.

I was starting to worry.

Hasven’t heard back from him in days!

Wu (V.O.): Dear Ziyi, all my beauties and treasures are gone.

Even your splendid gifts to me.

How can they be elite works of art

if they make everyone's heart sing?

I feel myself slipping away to a place where

art can still color my soul with its delicate harmony.

Oh, how I admire your strength

and faith and human goodness, dear Ziyi.

Just like the poem for you, there will always be:

“Mountains layered,”

“waters overlapping,”

“uncertain of the path.”

“Willows dark and flowers bright.”

“Once again a village.”

What are you doing? Stop!

Those are valuable.

Not anymore. Now there are ropes around our necks.

No one can them here.

What shall we do mother?

Why does it matter?

Why does anything matter?

I lost my sight.

I lost Xiaoman.

I lost your Zhimo.

I lost my dad.

And maybe your father is gone too.

So why?

Why am I still here?

This isn't like you, Ziyi.

You're the strongest,

of all of us.

Ziyi,

only in the cold winter does one know

that the pines and cypress are the last

to shed their leaves.

You're right.

And I have you all.

Ziyi (V.O.): Never have I missed you.

When every day I basked in the knowing of your gaze.

Every day I walked the winds.

Your heart beating in my hands.

Every night I dwelt in the evening of your mouth.

In heaven's embrace...

twin souls... ablaze among the stars.

Never have I missed you.

Safe with every breath.

Oh, Nan. Come, let me help you with that.

No, I can do it. - No, no, no.

Let's spend some time together.

Remember the first one of these you ever painted?

That must have been 20 years ago now.

Who knew then, it would become the most

popular basin in the country, maybe the world?

Now, everyone in China has one of your paintings in their home.

I'm proud to be your daughter, Mother.

I painted the peony your father gave me,

that first day we went courting.

Butterflies, danced on air,

the sweetest nectar.

Birds sang of love

through crystal throats.

His heart spoke

spoke a language only I could hear.

I will remember that day forever.

I wonder when love's longing stirs us the most?

When flowers blossom,

or when the petals fall?

Love makes everything more beautiful.

Do you,

do you think father is still alive?

Of course he is.

Does he miss us like we miss him?

Oh sweetheart...

Of course he does.

It’s a letter, from America!

Oh...

Since Mr. Morton has passed,

I know no one in America.

You open it.

Wanping (V.O.): My dearest wife...

When will the river no more flow. When will my grief

no more grow. I wish your heart would be like mine.

And not in vain for you I pine.

It’s been too many years since

life separated us so cruelly.

But I still hold you dearly in my heart.

I have moved to America and arranged for

you and our children to join me here.

Thank you all for coming.

This is truly a momentous occasion

where two people

have a love that grows deeper

beyond the bonds of time,

through the greatest adversity

and that love grows deeper

every single day.

And it is reaffirmed here today,

and it goes on

forever.

Too thin, my darling wife.

And you are too fat my dearest husband.

As Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles,

I am honored to present to you this award of merit

to Zhou Lianxia,

for your excellent talent.

♪ Nothing seems to fit here ♪

♪ Once it felt so safe ♪

♪ Our home cold and empty ♪

♪ I can’t find my way ♪

♪ I still see you ♪

♪ When I close my eyes ♪

♪ You’re here with me ♪

♪ In our sacred place ♪

♪ Standing in the raindrops ♪

♪ Hides the tears on my face ♪

♪ I can hear the quiet ♪

♪ Asking me to stay ♪

♪ I still see you ♪

♪ When I close my eyes ♪

♪ You’re here with me ♪

♪ In our sacred place ♪

♪ You know I will always love you ♪

♪ Words I’ll always say ♪

♪ I’ve missed you so much ♪

♪ I’ll find you someday ♪

♪ I close my eyes ♪

♪ For our sacred place ♪

♪ I still see you ♪

♪ When I close my eyes ♪

♪ You’re here with me ♪

♪ In our sacred place ♪

♪ When I close my eyes ♪