Original subtitles

Do you know how long I've waited at the airport?

Three hours!

Nowadays, few people are as generous as you

Not bargaining for long distance taxi ride

This financial tsunami is really dreadful

What's your line of work, mate?

Finance

You are 0.3 seconds slower

You're in competition soon

You need to practice harder

That's all for today. Swim back

You are off?

Yep

How about you? More classes?

No, I have a few things today

Well, I'm off now

Young man, nice body

Like Michelangelo's David

I was once young like you, but I am nothing now

Have pity on this old man

Let me give you a hand job in the sauna

You're making slave wages as an instructor

It won't take long

Four thousand...

Six thousand...

Two thousand. No touching the private parts

Boss, it is done

Alright

You guys want to sit down there?

Yeah

Is it from the famous K.K. Tailor?

Sure

Maybe get a round of Coronas?

Who knows?

When half is gone

I don't know

We got to back to there somehow

Yeah, back on the water

A little wake-boarding

Saturday was gorgeous

Where did you go?

Shek O

For him is a must

Yeah, not bad

Wow man, sweet ride

Hey Daniel

The second hand cars are selling at ridiculous discounts here

Even for this kind of babe

You should buy one

Enjoy the fall

Take it with you when you return to Australia

And sell for a profit there

Enjoy the fall! You are such a sadist, man

Come on

Why do you come to such a place?

You don't even drink

It's packed everywhere now

You blame me for being late?

I didn't say anything

Whatever, I don't care

Here we go again

You know I just hope the portfolio holds out

I'm in trouble

How about yourself?

Mine is doing very well

Really?

Yeah

One of the few. Where're you focusing then?

Yeah, Nigeria

Daniel, you hear that

Nigeria

Emerging market

Yeah

Black gold, Daniel

This is something interesting that we should maybe consider

You are a survivor, young man

Your unit saves the day

With a bit of luck, I guess

I know you are good

But I am more impressed with your prudence

To balance the aggressiveness in other aspects of my life

Such as girls

Or boys

Either way half the population is going to be disappointed

Anyway, are you ready to sign for another three months?

That depends if Obama wins tonight

I thought the Hamilton win is already enough for that

It's a close call, boss

I'll toss a coin and let you know next Monday

What number have you got?

Ninety-seven

- Ninety-seven - Ninety-seven

Good morning, master

Want to kidnap me? I've got no money

You kidnap me then. I have a day off

I know you are rich

I got to teach swimming classes at Morhill from 6:45am

I can reach there in fifteen minutes by my motorbike

How about your old crate?

Fifteen minutes from City West to South?

Let's give it a shot

I thought you were caucasian

I grew up in Shek O

And went to Australia at fifteen

When the airport was still at Kowloon City

Date all the boys over there already?

Do I look gay?

I look gay then

I don't care if you are or not

Buying whatever you crave

Chasing whoever you fancy

Money really is power

It's hard-earned money

Oh, right

Money? Piece of cake

You've got an unique name

My master gave it to me

It is the name of a Japanese boy, I think

"Kafka on the Shore", the novel by Haruki Murakami

Kafka

Have you read his "Metamorphosis"?

I don't know many English

You can speak it

My kung-fu master is "Gwai Lo", he teach me

I can teach you too

I learn fast

I can tell from the way you drive

Hey, a bit too fast!

I'm hungry

Stay put

Good recommendation

The noodle in tomato soup is excellent

This food stall is supposed to go out of business

Why?

Another victim of the financial tsunami maybe

Why don't we check out the gallery?

Hey, isn't that you?

You recognize me naked?

It is pretty bold

There was a gay film lately

Not sure if it was called "lllegal Immigration" or...

"Permanent Residence"

So you're aware of it

I didn't appear in the film

I was just a model for their photo album

I should order a few then

I also work part time as a life drawing model

Wow...you never have to get dressed for work then

It's alright

I work out a lot. I'm confident in my body

But I don't know much about fashion

Fashion? Piece of cake

I can help you

Hey, book it or leave it!

Right now, you won't find many broken bridges like this anywhere on earth

Magnificent, isn't it?

I've been watching them close up the gap

Chances are I'll be leaving for the airport via this bridge

When?

I don't know. Life is unpredictable

If I hadn't ran into you at the temple, I probably wouldn't have stayed

I must be pretty important then

You look different when you smile

I can't accept it yet

Sorry

Sorry, I thought you...

You saw my girlfriend in the bar that day, although...

It's alright. I've dated girls before

Oh, right

Maybe when the bridge meets, there'll be no gap between us too

Piece of cake

Give me some time

Anyway, thank you

I'll pay you back for the suit when I get paid next month

Take it as a gift for being my guide today

No way, there was no such agreement

Shall I waive your trainer fee forever?

Great

Why didn't you call if you're not coming back for dinner?

Sorry, mom. Somehow I forgot

Kafka, don't push yourself so hard.

Mom won't be around for long

Mom, you didn't take your pills again?

You shouldn't do so

I try so hard to...

Mom, I will let you live in comfort

You must wait for me

Mom, I've bought a suit today

Is it from the famous K.K. Tailor?

Close

Must be very expensive then

You've got a job in office?

Close. I'll wear the suit for you next time

You're quick

Not as quick as you

Hey, shower gel

Thank you

This shower head is out of order

See! Your mind is somewhere else

I met a man

He seems to... want to make love to me

I just knew you're a sodomite

Please don't say that

Whatever, I don't care

When did we become like this?

It's always been like this

Don't think just because I owe you a favour

I have to repay it all my life

I don't

Let's see who gets there first

Okay

All ye that labour and are heavy laden

Come unto me

And I will give you rest

You are Catholic?

Has it shut down already?

Yes, long gone

That's my primary school

I was always late for school

And the Sisters made me read The Hail Mary

For at least two hours each time

Here we are, my old home

In those days, these walls were made of wood and iron

Water leaked in during rainy seasons

And the whole wall was eroded by termites

My dad fixed them all

These are cements walls now

Look how solid they are

We didn't have beds at that time

There is a shed up there

Dad made it

That was decades ago and it's still sturdy

What's this?

It's my brother's

Look at this

The whole pillar was destroyed by the termites

We burnt them with fire

And covered it again with wooden plates

It's solid now

We didn't have an air-conditioner then

Miserable summertimes

Sweating in the day

Feeding mosquitoes at night

Look at this fan. Over ten years old now

My brother and I loved soft drinks

But we didn't have a fridge

This one is quite recent

It's too dusty here

Let's go

What's the hurry?

A guest for our lunch?

My brother

He lives here?

He works here

Oh, right

It's Iike heaven after passing through hell

For many, a big company is already heaven

If all good guys go to heaven

Dad should be up there looking at us

When I was small, still living in the wooden house

One day after school

Mom said Dad was framed by some bad cops and took his life

From that moment on

I realize that nobody on earth could protect us

I learnt kung-fu

To protect people important to me

One. Two. Step forward and kick

One. Two. Step forward

This one from the back, then...

Your chin should touch the cue slightly

Spread your fingers

Relax

Keepyour eyes on the ball and aim

Hey, it's in!

You're a natural

- I reckon this will go in - I think so too

You're not as fast as me

You want it? I'll give it to you then

Are you really going to give it to me?

I'll give it back to you

Ever since the first time I saw you, I could feel your loneliness

That night, I broke up with my girlfriend

I could see there's something wrong between you

Everyone I've loved have abandoned me

I won't abandon you

Hey Daniel

Can you take a look at this for me?

Yeah, can I do it tomorrow?

You're leaving early?

Yeah, I'm going to head off

Ok, don't do anything I wouldn't do

Cheers, mate

Hello good afternoon,

financial markets across the globe are in turmoil this afternoon

After the collapse of one of the world's biggest investment banks,

Lehman Brothers...

Hey, does it really work?

Sure. Don't worry

The rope is so heavy

If you're scared, watch me jump first

Scared of what? You're talking to a lifeguard here

Don't be silly. We're jumping from a height of 73m

From this height, the water will feel like concrete

Oh, right

I once contemplated jumping off Tsing Ma Bridge

You owe me a life now

Okay

- Okay? - Go

It's very high up here

Take your time

Be careful

- Stand still - Okay

- Don't jump yet - Okay

Wait for me

Sure, I'll wait for you

How can I jump without you?

Okay, turn around

- Okay - Slowly

- It's great, right? - So high

It's great

Let's do it again

Why not?

I'll jump first this time

Alright

Lately beggars like that are sprouting up everywhere

Really?

My friend has opened a new gay bar

Shall we go there tonight?

Dumped by girls and switching to boys?

Sucking a banana in the morning

Poking your ass in the afternoon

Does it hurt?

Shall we go in now? The show is going to start

- We are waiting for Daniel's friend - Hurry

Go and ask him. He is always late

Daniel, where's your friend?

I don't know. I can't reach him

You guys go first

Okay

I'll call you

It's my treat

What do you want?

I've got orange juice, water...

You are fucking six hours late, man!

I'm trying my best. I am sorry

Next time call me if you can't make it

I come...maybe next time

This is Kraftwerk. Yeah?

Who knows when they're going to be back?

Probably we'll never see them again

I'll stay with you tonight as compensation

Make a move then

You're not angry anymore?

Fixed. Let's go

Am I cool?

Come on. Let's go

Told you I can't do it! You see?

Go to hell...hell...

Are you okay?

We won't be okay

I can't fulfill your needs

You mean sex?

I can't make love with men

I don't suit you

I am not gay

I thought you loved me

I...

Maybe that's another kind of love

I've Iost my father

And my brother is a tosser

So?

Why don't you understand?

What do you see in me?

I am penniless, illiterate, have no taste and no future

To you, I am even impotent

That's what women want, I don't care

I like you for being good-looking, tough, funny and able to fight

Straight, masculine and daring to do anything with me

And you wouldn't flirt with other boys

I give up

You're laughing, so you must be alright

Come out and let me see your smiling face

Actually, since the first time I saw you cry

I decided to stay with you always

Not let anybody hurt you

Some stability has returned to this crazy market

Amphetamine, 1OO% positive,

and this kid has been using it for ages

I think 7,OOO could be the rock bottom

for both Dow and Nikkei

Just stay away from him

Too late

Yeah, they saved the banks, the insurers...

He must be very straight

Even the dreadful automakers

You are still my only pure gay boyfriend so far

I've never seen so many saviors in my life

Something can be done, I guess

Not much

Trouble is...

I hope they can save our jobs too

He practices kung-fu and can kill me with one hand

Something worth dying for then

Hope you are right about that

Thanks for the condolences, Tom

Ciao

Yes, my lord?

Tom, can you get me some...

Put it under your tongue

Give it an hour and you should feel it

Really?

Trust me

What do you feel?

Nothing special

I don't seem to feel anything

Can't you see the bridge?

- Oh yeah, the Brother bridge - Brother Bridge

Cheers

The visuals are repeating hectic

What're you doing?

I'm pulling the bridge together

Hello?

What're you doing?

I'm taking a call

A call?

You are in no state to be talking on the phone!

Tell him you're having a meeting

Meeting?

I've never had meetings before. Who will believe me?

I'm going to have a meeting with you now

I'm having a meeting. I'll call you back

Meeting on the beach?

Thousands of years ago,

people were having such meetings on beach

Use this to write on the sand

To have a meeting, you got to have an agenda

Like what should we be aware of?

The sand. It is dangerous

Don't let the sand get into your eyes

Don't sand

Oh yes

Don't let the sand get into your eyes

It is dangerous

Right

Hey, the sun

Sun is dangerous to look at

Don't sun

Right

Smart boy

You're a natural born meeting man

Have we got a printer here?

A printer?

Crazy

I should ask my friends not to send me these stuff again

Don't send

- Never send us acid again - Never

Don't send

Alright

Hey, look at this

LSD

Take away the "C", then it's a LSD dust bin

The "C" is redundant

What should we do with it?

What's the "C" for?

"C" for cat?

"C" for cute then

Who are cute? Girls?

No. Boys are better

Hey

Don't sun

This stuff is good. I don't even have a hangover

The inventor lived till 1O1, and died just recently

He brought something good to mankind

He deserves to go to heaven

Then you shouldn't take ice anymore

It's cold as hell

Ready

Three, two, one

Not bad

Right, that's the way

Once again

I'll throw you out

Just kidding

Ready, three, two, one

Remember, the head moves backward first

And then your arms

Move your body upwards...parabolic

Slowly looking backward

Look backward, can you?

The angle is about right...

Finished?

Yup, just waiting for you

For me...

What?

Should my shoulder be...

No, not this way

Relax your shoulder

Move backward and upward, then swing forward

Move your wrist and your elbow forward

If your head follows the movement of your shoulder

Your whole body will rotate

Swing forward, right

Same for both sides

Right

Better now?

I got to leave now. I'm going to an English lesson

I'll teach you again next time

- You're in a hurry? - Yeah

Let's have a competition

With you?

Not bad

Once more? If not, I'll leave

Again or not?

- Just go - Okay, I'll go then

Fucking tiring

Since the first time I saw you cry

I decided to stay with you always

Not let anybody hurt you

Maybe when the bridge meets

There will be no gap between us either

Piece of cake

"Kafka on the Shore"

The boy named crow

A frog dreaming to be a prince

Help!

Run!

Go get the bitch

She got away

Fuck you!

This boy is cute. Why don't you fuck him instead?

Strip him!

Take off his pants!

Hurry!

Take him down there

You are doomed

Help!

Who can save you now?

Help!

Smooth skin

Nice butt as well

Good enough for a fuck

Never been fucked by a man before?

This is the reward for your heroic act

I'll break your virginity

Help!

Who's next?

No!

And you?

No!

Stop it

Finish him off

Women are better fucks

Fucking bitch!

Over there

Calling control

Police 34213, a Chinese man found wounded

Kafka!

Kafka!

Kafka!

She was my senior classmate when I studied in Melbourne

Helped me a lot over the years

Her dad was a mayor who retired last year...

Hello?

Hey! Yeah!

You haven't been to Taiwan?

It's a nice place

People said the local food there is delicious

Linda, Kafka

Kafka, Linda

Let me help you

Thanks

He doesn't believe I had a girlfriend

She wondered what my boyfriend would look like

Well, I was the past tense

You guys are present

Tam can cook

He was a chef in a restaurant

Can you believe it?

I envy you two

I like him a lot but he has drug problems

I'm trying to help him rehabilitate

It is such a luxurious rehab

Love is the best cure

You are going to make it

Could you also watch him for me?

You know I will do anything for you

I'll sleep in the guestroom

I am the guest

What's the difference between loving a man and a woman?

Women are like mortgages

Once you draw, you need to keep paying for the rest of your life

Men are like policies

They can appreciate while you contribute

Sooner or Iater, the repayment will be completed and the return kicks in

This is too profound. I've never bought either

Anyway to love is to give, right?

How about you?

You're the only guy I've ever been intimate

I think...

You can get closer to a boy by becoming more like him

With a girl, it's impossible

Two guys can be friends, brothers,

teammates, buddies, apprentice and master

Their roles can also be swapped

It's the ideal relationship

I thank my mom

For granting me the power to love men

Have you really said that to her?

No way, she is a woman

By the way,

what's the difference in the way we feel for each other?

I love to see you in your suit

You prefer me naked all the time

Oh, right

Using my words?

Your words?

Piece of cake

This was a really good idea

I've only been to China once when I was a girl

You are still a girl

No way. Men are trees, Women are flowers

Please bring all your belongings...

when alighting the train

Isn't this an express to Guangzhou?

Maybe this one is special

It's chewing gum

Open it

- It's just chewing gum... - Open it

What's this?

My...medicine for asthma

Are you together?

You stay. The woman can go

Turn around

Raise your arms

Higher

Raise your arms

Open your mouth

Lie down

Lower

Lower

You too

You can get a ride without tickets

Go

Your friend said it is for pain relief.

You think we're idiots?

There's only O.3g. How could it be drug trafficking?

Who knows if he is carrying a sample for drug dealers?

It's amphetamine...

and he may get a death penalty

He's pleaded guilty and the drug is for his own use

You're off the hook

I need to call my Iawyer

What're you talking about?

Lawyer

Lawyer? Take your time

We've got to move fast. That kid's life is at stake

They released me only because I have a foreign passport

Yeah, they've got him for possession

Yeah, ice. O.3g

No, that's his first time

He doesn't have a criminal record or anything

I don't know how long he's going to be out there for

And what they're going to do to him

Yeah, I'm meeting my Iawyer tomorrow

Ok, thanks. I appreciate it. Bye

Have you got shower gel?

You can get that inside

Let's go. I think your coach won't come

Brother Kafka promised to come, I only want him

Young men nowadays are so unreliable

Absent without notice...

I won't let anyone else touch me

My little daughter, you are too young to be in love

Nothing happened, everything will be alright

I smoked weed to relieve my back pain caused by practising kung-fu

And to help me forget some bitter memories

I took ice because my brother swears it cures asthma

Also it kept me awake and allowed me to work more part-time jobs

Sorry to drag you into such trouble

You're the only one on earth who can protect me

Promise me, you will quit

I must quit it. I will... I will... otherwise I'm not a man

Isn't Antartica your dream destination?

Quit, and I'll take you to Antartica, we can go exploring

There's ice everywhere. You'll love it there

Mr. Tam

Chief doctor wants to talk to you

We couldn't reach you

We've arranged for Mrs. Tam's funeral with another Mr. Tam

I...

Don't be too upset

I've told you all along,

chances that your mom will gain consciousness is slim

Now that she is gone, it's also a relief to everyone

And your burden can be unloaded

Even if you kill me, they are not coming back

Let's see!

Wake up, my dear brother

They died because their time was up

It's their fate

It's not our fault

Psychics have foretold that our family will have no descendants

Worry about yourself first

I don't believe it

I don't believe it, I don't!

You asked for it

What's there to gain by pushing so hard?

Look at me, chilled out

What you are doing can ruin people's life

Isn't it said that we all have our own destiny?

No one's to be blamed

When will you understand?

No matter what, everyone's going to die

It's no crime living life to the sweetest

Foolish fellow

I thought you might forget Simon's birthday

How would l?

It is a Iucky day. I sold everything by 3pm

And I bought a nice garoupa for real cheap

That's great. I can't afford to add extra dishes

Even Kafka eats two bowls of rice now. We need to save money

I wonder how Simon's job interview went

- Good morning - Good morning

Denial

You misspelled my name

Let's have breakfast

- I'm going now - Wait

Bye

Steve

Daniel, you know what? This office is gonna be yours

- Really? - Don't worry

I am not being fired. I am just being transferred

You are my only proposal these days that has not been turned down

I don't know what to say really

You don't sound too excited

There is something else on my mind recently, but I'm...

Yeah

Cheers...I mean... I guess it's a good news

Thank you very much

- My pleasure - I owe you for this

What's going on?

Open the door!

What're you saying?

Even for us, we have never really done it

But deep inside, I feel I am yourwoman

He over-powered me, I couldn't resist

He raped you?

Listen to me

He was really high, he still is

Leave him alone now, ok?

He is a good guy

I forgive him already, can you forgive him too?

Forgive him, ok?

Forgive him

I've thought about not telling you

Forgive him

How can I forgive myself?

Where's the stuff?

Where's it?

Hey...

I'd Iike to try some

I want to take ice with you

I won't let you fuck me

And I fucked your girl

Why don't you fucking kill me?

But let me tell you

My life is hard

Maybe I am your bane

I can't understand you

There're so many gay men around,

why do you fucking pick me?

What do you want to prove?

That you're fucking irresistable?

You earn your fucking money...

by your own effort?

You work fucking hard?

I don't work hard?

Compared to others...

Haven't I work harder than you?

Fuck you

My mom wants me to wear a suit

She's not here any more

Who should I wear the suit for?

My mom is gone, do you know?

Fuck you, you mother fucker

Why did you take my mother?

You want to fuck my mother too, eh?

What should I do now?

What should I live for?

You treat me so well,

I really like you

I really love you

Please don't judge me by that thing

That day...

I was asking if my mom will come back

I was asking if I should stay

I have to go back to Australia for a while

Oh, right. I see

I won't Ieave you

If you don't believe me, you can come with me

We can get married there

Give me some time

Stabilising markets and the easing of credit conditions

may well mean that the worst of the recession is over

The economy is no longer in free fall and a recovery next spring is likely

Kafka!

- Come here - I am busy

Come here

Everybody

Hey everybody!

Guys

This is Kafka, our chef for tonight

He is also my... personal trainer

You mind us using him while you are back in Australia?

Kafka! Kafka!

Take off your shirt!

Take off your pants!

Sir! Sir!

Little sir's going to fly

Fly?

What're you waiting for?

My dad is coming back to feed me

Oh, right

How long are you going to wait?

He'll be back when the food stand is closed

Piece of cake

What if he can't come back?

How do you know?

Who are you? Who are you?

Why do you tie him up?

You know how strong he is?

When he woke up, all the nurses couldn't hold him down

But he...

Nothing serious, just a few broken bones

He is extremely fit

But he takes too much

A normal person would have overdosed on half that amount

We'll see what his fate is now

He can't come back

It is his fate

He can't come back

It is his fate

He can't come back

It is his fate

Kafka, your heart is missing!

Chase after it or you can't come back

Where's my heart, mom?

Is it in the hand of the boy in suit?

I don't know how long you have to wait

Leave us an emergency contact

We will inform you of his situation

Leave your number then, Simon. I'm leaving tomorrow

Not connected yet

Luckily...

Daniel

May? Why are you here?

The hospital informed us that you escaped

I knew you would come here

You know me so well, why do you leave me?

May, I miss you so much

I feel sad to leave you too

I'm not an evil woman

Anyway, it is past, like everything

I can't pass this

If we are not connected before this bridge

He'll leave

I'll never be able to chase him back

Doesn't he mind your drug addiction?

I don't know

Does he love you?

Do you love him?

That should be fine then

There is no way to quit a fateful love

The bridge will meet one day,

will the two of you ever be together?

Hey mate, I drove you once before

Really?

You said you're in finance

Yes...

Life can be really ridiculous, right?

Let's jump together

Kafka Tam 1982-2008