Original subtitles

WOMAN: My grandmother always told me

that if the dead weren't given a proper burial,

they'd become ghosts looking for revenge.

The stories used to keep me awake at night,

especially during the Month of the Hungry Ghost,

when lonely, angry spirits are free to wander the earth...

...revisiting those who have forgotten them

or tormenting those lucky enough to survive the war.

_

(MINE DETECTOR BEEPS)

(SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)

- What have you got? - Cheers.

MAN: (SPEAKING VIETNAMESE) _

_

Set up for detonation.

"The dead are all around us," she'd tell me.

Most of the time, we can't see or touch them.

But sometimes,

the power of one event can change everything.

(THUNDER RUMBLES)

Thanks for coming so quickly.

Look, it seems like a type of crypt or tomb.

You may have a better idea of what it is.

(MONK GASPS)

(MUTTERS IN VIETNAMESE)

(SCREAMS)

Synced & corrected by kinglouisxx www.addic7ed.com

_

WOMAN: Do you have any idea what this is like?

How could you do this to me, Mark?

I woke up this morning and a repo guy was breaking into it.

They repossessed the truck, Mark, for non-payment.

And yet I distinctly remember giving you the money.

I want my money back.

Dick.

- They repossessed the food truck. - So? Open a restaurant.

(CHUCKLES) You are a very good cook.

Just a terrible businesswoman.

May, you look tired.

- Mmm, lack of sleep will do it. - The dreams again?

There are many restless spirits in Hungry Ghost month.

Come to a temple with me when you finish work tonight.

It's important.

Work. Shit.

May. May.

I want you to wear this. For luck.

- Oh... - Please.

- You look beautiful. - (CHUCKLES)

Thanks, ba ngoai.

And thanks again for letting me stay.

Love you. Love you.

Not all ghosts want revenge.

Some just want us to see them.

To hear them, to remember them.

The more we push the past away,

the more insistent they become.

WOMAN: Neil.

(CHUCKLES)

- They're here. - Good.

It must be an exciting way to revisit your past.

Not really a big fan.

- (CHUCKLES) Of exhibitions? - The past.

Neil, this is Tracy Tran from Lee and Stanton,

the exhibition's major sponsor.

- Such a pleasure. - Hello. Hello

And Harry Trang from the Arts Council, who's giving us the space.

Nice to meet you.

We've actually met.

We have?

In Vietnam?

Lieutenant Trang. Hien.

How about that?

- Good to see you, Hien. - It's Harry now.

Harry.

This is the new ad that went out yesterday.

- Better get serious, then. - (CHUCKLES)

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

Jesus. Liz.

Sorry. Did I scare you?

What makes you think that? (CHUCKLES)

I'm glad you're back. How... how long are you staying?

Couple of days. I'm on my way to Antarctica via New Zealand.

- Antarctica? - Mm-hm, yep.

Doing a peace for Lonely Planet.

Environmental tourism.

It's a thing now.

Yeah, well, if you say so.

Gonna put on a coffee.

Smells like something a bit stronger in here.

What you been up to?

- This. - Oh. Retirement.

It looks... relaxing.

They're doing a retrospective of my work.

The Vietnam years. It's a Vietnamese festival.

(SCOFFS) Yeah, I didn't think you really liked exhibitions.

When's the opening?

- In a week. - Oh, shit.

It'd be great if you... could stay for it.

Support the old man.

I've got a deadline to keep. Sorry.

- What about that coffee? - Yeah...

I gotta go see my editor.

I just popped by to let you know I was here.

You're not staying with me?

Well, the company paid for a hotel, and I wouldn't want intrude.

I'll give you a call. We'll catch up for dinner.

MAY: "We all have our own ghosts," my grandmother would say.

But sometimes, the pain of past trauma

can seep from one generation to the next,

haunting an entire family.

Ba ngoai, is this the one?

WOMAN: Yeah. Thank you, dear.

- Was this yours, ba ngoai? - Your father's.

When we came, we had nothing.

No money, no clothes.

The care packages we were given only has clothes for little girl.

So, Paul had to wear a dress for the first few months.

(LAUGHS) Dad in a dress?

- What did ong noi wear? - He came later.

- Why? - He wasn't allowed.

- Oh, careful, dear. - Sorry.

Is this you, ba ngoai?

You're so young.

Who's that other man?

MAN: What are you doing?

- Those are mine. - I'm sorry.

_

Don't mind old grumpy.

_

(MUSICALLY TAPPING)

Holly.

If you tap a bowl during Hungry Ghost month,

a ghost will think you are inviting them to eat with you.

- Cool. - (CONTINUES TAPPING)

No, it's not. Because they don't always leave.

Not too much, dear. Paul doesn't like turmeric.

Oh, I've always put turmeric in.

Sorry I'm late.

Ah. That smells amazing.

You should be resting your hip, Ma.

Lein tells me you don't like turmeric.

- Huh? - Turmeric.

You used to be able to sniff it out no matter how I hid it.

Did he?

Where's... where's Dad?

MAN: He was a real ball-breaker,

always giving us some rubbish job like digging trenches.

So we waited until he was on the toilet

and threw a smoke grenade under it.

- (LAUGHS) What? - But we got it wrong.

It wasn't a smoke grenade.

Hi, Dad.

How was your day?

Did you speak to the real estate agent?

It's just... that offer won't last.

Now that Mum can't work...

I really think you should consider it.

- How was uni, mate? - Good.

Hey, ong noi. So what was it?

That you threw? (CHUCKLES)

- It was a stun grenade. - Serious?!

Oh, it mess.

He was totally okay, but I was covered from head to toe in cut.

(LAUGHS) In poo?! That's gross.

(MONKS CHANTING IN VIETNAMESE)

_

- Will you do me a favour? - Mmm.

Take this. Keep it safe for me.

(SPEAKS VIETNAMESE)

WOMAN: Something is wrong.

I don't know.

There's a dangerous presence.

I feel a strong male energy.

Very angry.

Someone from your past?

All I want to know is how Sophie will do on her exams?

No, I'm not getting anything.

Every Hungry Ghost month, it's the same.

This time of year, the dead are too busy

haunting their relatives to talk to me.

But I do see loads of phallic energy.

I'm serious. There's definitely a new man coming to your life.

- (PHONE CHIMES) - Oh.

I've got to go.

(PHONE RINGS)

Can't talk now, babe.

- I just wanted to hear someone sane. - Then why are you calling me?

(LAUGHS)

I've been scrubbing bunions for the past hour.

Oh. Nice.

I'm taking you out tonight.

I'll pick you up at seven.

- WOMAN: May Le. - I gotta go.

Everything all right?

It's just... you seem a little sad.

Again.

- Plenty more fish in the sea, doll. - Oh, it's... it's...

Hurry up and finish. Mrs Gee's waiting.

Thanks for fitting me in today.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

Oh, sorry.

The Drowned Man.

Maybe your mysterious stranger is a sailor.

(CHUCKLES)

MAY: Some ghosts are envious and hateful.

My grandmother called these spirits gon cuoy.

Jealous and bitter, they hold grudges against the living

and often they prey on the guilt and shame of those who survived.

(LAUGHS)

Come on, come help me finish this.

What's up, Dad?

Just... idiots digging up the past.

Isn't it important to remember the past?

Who wants to be reminded of what we lost? Hmm?

- Oops. - (SPEAKS VIETNAMESE)

- Hi. - Hi, Mum. Hi, sis.

Mummy!

Hi! Have you been good?

- I spilled the water. - Oh, no.

Hey, you clean up your stuff.

Hi, Dad.

- Hey, we're sponsoring this. - What for?

Community spirit. Hello.

5,000 years of rich history,

and all they fascinate on is that war.

Well, it was a pretty big one. Let's get you home to bed.

What are you up to tonight, sis?

Studying, maybe party later on.

Ooh, maybe a party? Just wait until you start work.

(VOICES FADE)

Hey. (SPEAKS VIETNAMESE)

- Bye bye. - Bye bye.

- Bye. - Bye, Ethan.

I have to go too.

It goes away, you know? The pain.

It's not even pain. It's more like... humiliation.

You know, how could I be so stupid to put it all in his name?

Mark will get his. Karma won't let that fly.

Right.

And some clairvoyant you are.

Could have told me my dream's about to be repossessed.

I'm done.

I took a chance, put myself out there.

And I got shat on.

Do not let me go home with him tonight.

(DOG HOWLS)

(TAPPING)

(SOBS AND PRAYS IN VIETNAMESE)

(POUNDING ON DOOR)

MAN: Shock.

Charging again. 200.

Oxygen away. Stand clear. Shock.

Continue CPR.

Adrenaline, one in one thousand.

- WOMAN: Adrenaline given. - Charging again, 200.

Oxygen away. Stand clear. Shock.

- Asystolic. - Check for vitals.

No visible signs of life.

No femoral pulse.

Okay, enough. I'm calling it.

Time of death, 21:55.

Give her another shot of adrenaline.

Nurse, adrenaline. One in one thousand.

Ben, I've called it.

It's been too long.

(MACHINE BEEPS)

Ben.

Charge 300 this time.

- Dr Tran has called it. - She's in fine VF. Ready?

Clear.

Shock.

We've got a sinus rhythm.

He's here. He's not alone.

Tell her, tell her.

Half a loaf is better than none.

- Hey. - (MACHINE FLAT LINES)

(SOBS)

(PHONE RINGS)

Hey, where are you?

Home. Studying.

Aww! Come on, come out, loser.

GIRL: Hey, Soph, are you coming up to the festival on the weekend?

- Maybe. - Oh, please, come!

Okay? I'm going up tomorrow. Come!

Hey, Soph, just come out. Just for one hour.

- Bye, Daniel. - Please!

How's it going?

- Slow. - Well, I'm making some tea.

Would you like some?

I think I'm going to have a bath and then go to Eve's party for a bit.

Okay.

(DRIPPING WATER)

Sophie?

(PANTING)

(DOOR CLOSES)

Sophie?

Morning.

- Couldn't sleep? - No.

- Yes. - I'm going to go straight to bed.

Sang.

Do you want something to eat?

No. I'm exhausted.

(ECHOES OF GUNFIRE AND HELICOPTERS)

(RHYTHMIC CHANTING IN VIETNAMESE)

(CHANTING CONTINUES)

(MEN CHANT TOGETHER)

(HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRR LOUDLY)

_

_

Mr Nguyen, how are you today?

Good.

Well, I just thought I'd let you know

my client has raised his offer on your shop.

Look, I know you said you're not quite ready to sell yet,

but I think this might change your mind.

Well, I'll just leave this here for you.

My card's inside. Give us a call.

Hey, Bao, we are out of mandarins.

- I'll get some from the back. - No, you serve.

- Daniel. Hey. - Oh, hey, Mrs Tran.

Did Sophie stay at your house last night?

No. She didn't even come to the party.

- Why? Is everything okay? - Yes, everything's fine.

I was just early and I was passing by,

so I thought I'd come in and check.

Well...

Lisa did say she was going to some music festival today with Sophie.

- Maybe I can call up and... - No, no, no, no. It's fine.

It's fine. (SPEAKS VIETNAMESE)

(PLASTIC SHIFTS)

(HEAVY FOOTSTEPS)

Anyone up there?

Hey.

You got to stop scaring me like this.

You're getting jumpy in your old age, Neil.

- What are you up to? - I was looking for an old lens.

It's a... Russian one with this weird distortion.

All Russian lenses have distortion. It's called under-engineering.

I saw these really cool Siberian shots

that were taken on an old Helios.

Thought I might try to re-create the effect in Antarctica.

Do you know where the rest of my boxes are?

Really?

Where'd you put them?

Here.

You remember him? Pebbles.

You got him for me.

- In Lebanon or somewhere. - Syria.

- Ah, yeah. Syria, right. - I loved him. I took him everywhere.

Looks well loved.

I'm going to go out.

You... sure you don't know where the rest of my boxes are?

No.

Maybe, um...

If you need a distortion lens, I've got some.

I want the one that I'm looking for that you clearly threw out.

I heard that.

(GASPS)

- Jesus, Stella! - What are you doing?

What are you doing? You scared me half to death.

You're the one with a knife.

(SIGHS)

Did you... did you go through her things?

I didn't do that.

How'd you get in?

Mark gave me a key.

I flew down as soon as I got your message.

I'm sorry about ba ngoai.

- Thanks for coming. - Why wouldn't I?

After all is said and done, she was my mother.

Really?

Be prepared to dress for any occasion, darling.

You going to go to the hospital to see ba ngoai?

I guess.

Yes, of course.

I've gotta drop by work for a bit.

Work?

As bad as it is,

I can't afford to lose my job right now.

Hey.

(DOOR SQUEAKS CLOSED)

Hello?

This is a restricted area.

(YELPS)

_

(PANTING)

- (DOOR OPENS) - MAN: Just right this way.

Let me know if you need anything.

(SOBS)

(CRIES)

- Can I help you? - I'm... I'm...

- I'm Dr Williams. - What are you doing in my morgue?

I, um... I'm sorry to interrupt.

Are you Mrs Le's daughter?

Yes.

I was... with your mother when she died.

She actually... had a message for you.

Really? For me?

She said,

"Tell her he's here and he's not alone.

"Tell her half a loaf is better than none."

- Half a... - Loaf.

- ...is better than none? - Yes, that's...

That was the message. She wanted me to tell you that.

She was quite insistent.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Doctors, right?

Ms Stella Le?

Hello.

It's such an honour to have you in my establishment.

- Thank you. - Are you okay?

She's your mum.

We have to go the funeral home.

Did they tell you when they're going to release ba ngoai's body?

I... don't think so.

Although they did say something odd.

What do you mean?

A message. Ma left a message for me.

What message?

Before she died, she said,

"He's here. "Half a loaf is better than none."

- What? - Yeah, it's a bit weird.

All right, let's go.

What?

You know how I feel about funeral homes.

I'm just going to go home and unpack.

Okay, fine.

See you at ba ngoai's.

(CHANTING IN VIETNAMESE)

"Nua o banh."

"Half a loaf."

(VINTAGE MUSIC PLAYS)

Excuse me?

Is anyone here?

Hello. Um...

Sorry to interrupt. It's just... no-one was out there.

I just... I just wanted to ask a question

about the name of the restaurant.

Why "Half a loaf"?

- Come here. - Sorry?

Come closer.

Oh, that is amazing.

Oh, God, that is incredible.

You have to give me your recipe.

(GROANS)

Oh, God, I'm so sorry. Um...

I'm a chef. I know how precious secret recipes are.

We don't have much time, May.

- How do you know my name? - Phuong is in grave danger.

What? Who are you?

- I have a message from her. - Phuong is dead.

She's left this realm, yes.

But her spirit lives and it's now trapped.

(GRUNTS)

(CHANTS IN VIETNAMESE)

- Quang has come back. - Wait, what? Quang?

Since his death, Quang has remained trapped in hell

by the power of your grandmother.

But no more.

- I don't understand. - It's the month of the Hungry Ghost.

The gates of hell have opened, Quang has returned with the dead.

He wants eternal life, and if he gets it...

Why are you telling me this?

Because you, May, you are even more powerful than your grandmother.

- Only you can stop Quang from... - Stop it from what?

From what?

- Stop... stop him from what? - Take it!

It's Thao.

What the fuck?

LIEN: (SPEAKING VIETNAMESE) _

_

_

_

(CAR HORN HONKS)

Where are they?

(WHISPERS PRAYER IN VIETNAMESE)

Where are the three souls?

Where has she hidden them?

(SCREAMS)

NEIL: Vietnam, 1973. Thao Hoang, my interpreter.

- Think it's the same fella? - It couldn't be.

(SCREAMS)

I've cursed this family.

Complete the circle.

Find these souls.

Quang has three souls. You must find them before he does.

Synced & corrected by kinglouisxx www.addic7ed.com