Original subtitles

== TLF HALFCD TEAM ==

"The army is here. C'mon, hide in the house."

Have some porridge, dear

No

Don't make him eat it

We all want steamed rice, not porridge

He's a difficult child

It’s beautiful. Grandpa, come and see

Is it Hong Kong?

Grandpa, are you okay?

I’m fine

Have some medicine

Give me some water

"Water."

"I don't want it."

Listen, we've reached Hong Kong

Line up to go on shore

Be quiet and come out when I call your name

Can you see it?

Yes, the boat is here

One after another, don't push

Next. Hurry

"Photo?"

"My mom told me to give you the photo on shore."

"I’ll throw you into the water if you don't."

"Give him the photo, kid."

"Your son has arrived in Hong Kong."

"Is he alright?"

What? You don't even have HK$100-

Okay, I’ll have US$ 40 only

"My mom said she had everything paid

Do you want to get on the bus or not?

What is it?

He refuses to pay

You said all expenses were included

Mind your own business or get off the bus now

Get off, kid

"She's your guide. Go with her."

Yes, hurry up, kid

Get off

50 people of us stowed away on ship

Only we are Vietnamese Chinese

The others are all Vietnamese

Can you tell us what you've gone through?

We stowed away on ship

We all worked in Nha Trang City

We waited for a chance to escape from Vietnam

We worked as usual in daytime

It took us 9 days to get here

We haven't slept for days and were short of rice

so we had one meal every two days

I know you left Vietnam…

…because of political reasons

What do you think about Vietnam's situation?

Get the key at the reception desk

Would we be repatriated?

No, you can stay in Hong Kong for 3 months

If no foreign countries receive you…

within this period

you can apply for immigration once

And your expenses in Hong Kong…

…will be covered by the United Nations

What can I do for you, kid?

Where are your families?

Can you help me to find my cousin?

You don't speak Cantonese?

What's the problem?

Boss

I don't know what he wants

I’ll take care of this. Go to work

Did you arrive in Hong Kong tonight?

A woman told me to come here

You stay here for tonight

I’ll help you to find your cousin

Have some rest

"Brother…"

"Heung, hold my hand."

"Wait, Chiu, Wait for me."

"Okay, stop getting on the boat. Next round."

Please wait for my wife

Next round

Don't worry. They'll come back for you

Hurry…

Hurry, get on the ship. Hurry

Hurry

Policemen, set sail

"No, please wait for my wife."

"Brother, how about Heung?"

"Brother, I can't go with you."

"Brother…"

Johnny

Chan Zhong, is that you?

Looking for someone?

No, just post an ad. for Charles

He's looking for a copywriter

Why are you here?

Looking for my cousin

So? Still painting for the living?

Please, they're only daubs

When did your cousin arrive?

I think he just arrived last night

People from this hotel called me this morning…

…and said he's here. I came immediately

They said he stays on this floor

Okay

I got to go

Come to see me some time, bye

Bye

"Where are your brother and sister-in-law?"

"I don't have much money."

"I promised your mom to take care of you."

"Are things expensive in Hong Kong?"

"You know the exchange rate…

…of Hong Kong Dollar to Vietnamese Dong?"

70 VND 1 HKD

Here you are

Thank you, aunt Mui, you cook them yourself

This is aunt Mui

Aunt Mui

This is my cousin Ah Man. He just arrived

He seldom spoke Cantonese in the refugee camp

so he isn't very well conversant with the language

I see

"When someone helps you

you say 'thank you'."

"When someone gives you something

you say 'much obliged'."

"When you offend someone, you say 'sorry'."

"The thing we want to make a lot is 'money"'

Okay

Thank you

I think…we ought to put off our wedding

Mom, I received your letter today

Are you still suffering from headaches?

How are my brother and sister-in-law?

Johnny takes very good care of me

He's bought me a lot of things

I haven't found a job yet

Johnny said I should learn Cantonese first…

…and take it step by step

You know how I learn Cantonese?

Johnny has a telly at home

I watch telly everyday…

…and repeat after the actors

I can speak quite well now

I think I’ll look for a job soon…

…and save up enough money…

…to bring you all here

Hong Kong has many people

There are some streets where…

…people do business at night. It’s all pretty crowded

Mom, I’ll look after myself

Don't worry about me. Wish you good health

Hello?

Speaking

Which room?

1204. Okay, I’ll be right there

Looking for a seat?

Try table number 6

Excuse me

is the seat taken?

Ah Kei, bring me the bill…

I saw you at the hotel before

What hotel?

I saw you in the corridor

Is it Mei Hua Hotel?

I don't remember

You live with your family?

I came to Hong Kong alone

You don't know anyone in Hong Kong?

I stay with my cousin

YOU Hing Nin is your cousin?

You know him?

I met him that day

So he was there for you

Ah Man, may I take your order?

I would like some fried beef noodles, please

You're here alone. Aren't you bored?

I paint

You're welcome to my studio anytime…

…if you’re interested

Really?

You should go to bed

I saw you’re back, so I came to see you

It’s late. Go to bed

Johnny, I want to find a job

What kind of job?

When I had dinner at aunt Mui's restaurant

I met a painter. He said he knows you

What's his name?

Chan Zhong

Did he say anything about me?

No, his studio needs a trainee

I want to work for them

Hey, would you like to go overseas?

Where?

The States

My friend will help me with the application

I will bring you with me

I won't go

"I won't go…"

How come?

I hate foreigners. I hate them

Why?

I despise them. They killed my sister

"I won't go."

Can I help you, kid?

Ah Man, it's you. Come

You don't have to work?

This is our studio, a small room

Let's have a cup of coffee

I have money, let me treat you

Okay, I’ll talk to my boss

I thought you didn't mean it

I really want to find a job

I guess it's not a problem

We’ve just received a new order

The boss said we need more helpers

But…

I don't want to stay at home all day

But we don't pay trainees much money

It’s okay

The boss is a bit mean

But you can ignore him

I don't know anything

You'll learn how to paint daubs real quick

How long have you been working in the studio?

So, you like this place?

We come here a lot

Sometimes, we stay for a whole day

How long have you been in Hong Kong?

Almost 2 years

You came on ship?

No, I left the army…

…and went to Cambodia from Vietnam

Then from Cambodia to Macau…

…and from Macau to Hong Kong

I was caught and repatriated the first time

I only succeeded the second time

Have you been a soldier?

I was stationed in Tay Ninh

It seems absurd when we think about it now;

I mean, us Chinese helping Vietnamese to fight Vietnamese

Anyway, we managed to leave that place alive

So what?

I make a living by painting daubs

And your cousin Johnny…

What about Johnny?

Well, let's change the topic. Coffee?

There's the bus stop. See you

It’s late. What're you doing in the street?

What's your name?

Chan Keung

Your I.D. card?

I didn't bring it with me

No? What're you doing in the street?

Where do you live?

2, Fuk Lo Tsun Road, Kowloon City

Your profession?

A trainee

Thank you, sir

Thank you

Bye

Ah Man, where are my paintings? All of them?

My boss said the cheque should be dated today

Okay

Your boss is stingy

He is always afraid that I won't pay him

Ah Man, are you busy now?

Yes?

Can you help me deliver a painting…

…to a customer?

I’ll give you 2 dollars

Oh, it's the painting

I nearly forgot, come in…

Put it over there

I’ll go get you the money

Johnny

Yes

I have put your money in your pocket

Tonight let's have dinner together, okay?

Okay

How about…

I want to move out

Why?

I can't live with Johnny

I delivered a painting to a hotel yesterday…

…and saw him with a foreign woman

You all know what he does for a living

Every one has a skeleton in his closet

Can I stay with you?

I will pay you the rent

I’ve spoken to aunt Mui

She said she'll pay me $200…

…for delivering takeaway over the weekends

I’ll save up enough money and get mom here

Do you know, kid

the war will be over soon

I overheard it a few days ago

The Northern Vietnam army will arrive soon

Peace will be resumed soon

You don't know what I am saying

Peace

"D0 y0v kn0w wh4t p34c3 1s?"

After years of war, people long for peace

Thought I’d never see that day

You know why I am a vegetarian?

I do it for my grand children

How old are you?

My grandson is about your age

He was sent to station at the riverbank

The war lasts for more than 20 years

Life will be better when the war is over

I travelled to Hong Kong with my mom as a kid

I never thought I would stay for good

At first, she sent me money

Outward Remittance was banned since 1975…

…and my dad died soon after the liberation

My mom re-married

I had no money and got poor grades at school

I didn't know what to do

They came to me when they're free…

…and asked me if I would do it

Well, good money and easy to make

So I said yes

How is it going with the immigration application?

I don't know

Are you sure about this?

I want a brand new start

Mom, don't hurry brother

We're late

Hurry, we're late

Thank you

You should be more careful

I’m sorry. I’ll compensate for it

I just went to the U.S. Consulate

They said I couldn't apply for immigration…

…as a Vietnamese refugee…

…because I have a Hong Kong I.D. card

So I would like to change my I.D. card

Please

Why did you declare you came from the mainland?

We can sue you for…

…perjury in respect of your sworn testimony

But I can prove I went to school in Vietnam

If you want to change it

You need to provide a lot more documents…

…to prove you are Vietnamese

And don't forget, we can sue you

The court may take back your I.D. card

It could cost you

Thank you

Ah Mo, are you sure you want to go there?

Yes, I’ve thought about it carefully

It gets me nowhere if I keep painting daubs

Officer Hu sent you a letter

Have you received it?

Yes, he agrees with me

I go there to help him

We have many friends there

I think I can at least make a living

If I didn't have a family

I would go with you

I want to go there to get more experience…

…and broaden my horizon…

…while I am still young

Right

Ah Man, how long have you been in Hong Kong?

About 6 months

You're here alone?

Yes

You have relatives in Hong Kong?

No

Have you thought about your future?

I like painting

Painting? Painting these?

If you want to learn painting

I think you better leave this place

There's nothing to learn from these daubs

I don't think it's that terrible

We need to be realistic

Ah Man, you leaving now?

You, too, want to go to Paris?

Yes

With Mo?

Don't be silly

You think you can be a real painter in Paris?

You should be glad you have daubs to paint

Have you been there?

No, how would I?

I don't even have a Hong Kong I.D. card

You have no idea what drifted life is?

You killed anyone when stationed at Tay Ninh?

Do you know how I left Vietnam?

We, several other soldiers and l

were stationed at a mountain

A machine gun was firing at us

We knew we could not escape

so we lied down and pretended to be dead

We didn't know…

when we ran away

my friend next to me…

…was shot

He moaned because of the pain…

…and was shot in the head

His brains spurted on my face

I dared not make any noise…

…because I have no choice

Your cousin Johnny has no choice, too

We escaped from Vietnam

We all end up like this

You're drunk. Let's go home

We have to go to work tomorrow

Do you know where Taikoo Dockyard is?

Pardon?

Taikoo Dockyard?

What?

Taikoo Dockyard

What?

Taikoo…

Taikoo Dockyard

Do you know what he is saying?

No

Let's go. We don't understand him anyway

Taikoo Dockyard

Don't move

Don't shout for help

Only 40 dollars and a watch

What are you looking at?

How dare you? Go to hell

Go

Johnny was beaten to death by his client

It was a male client

The next day Chan Zhong and l went to the morgue

Johnny looked quite peaceful

One couldn't tell he's beaten to death

Looking at him, I wanted to cry

but I didn't

Reporters flocked around and asked about Johnny…

…the next few days

I said nothing

They never catch the murderer

Two landlords reported to the authority…

…that Chan Zhong is an illegal immigrant

The police came to the studio to nab him

He was repatriated

I remembered he told me once…

…we have no choice most of the time

I don't know if it's true or not

Maybe it is

Please

Thank you

"Do you know if it's true?

"I live in Saigon."

"My father died before I was born."

"I have a brother and a sister-in-law."

"My brother works as a translator."

"I've heard, if those who had helped Americans…

…were caught, they would be slaughtered."

"Do you know if it's true?"

"One Country Two Systems" policy is about to be put into practise

== TLF HALFCD TEAM ==

we all must choose our directions ahead

Facing such a major dilemma

a legendary figure who were ahead of us

whose choices and experience

has brought some insight to us on certain levels

This person is Hou Dejian

"Where are you going?"

"1980 Refugee Camp at Thai Borders"

There's a dragon in the ancient East

its name is China

There're a bunch a people from the ancient East

they are all descendants of the Dragon

l grew up underneath the Dragon's feet

and l'd grow up to be the Dragon's descendant

Black eyes， black hair and yellow skin

we're forever the Dragon's descendants

l grew up underneath the Dragon's feet

and l'd grow up to be the Dragon's descendant

Black eyes…

"1983 Paying tribute to ancestors in Sichuan"

Returning home after a long time away

l find that the garden is full of weeds

How many years of lingering around?

Oh…how many years of being pale?

How many years of waiting?

Oh…how many years of shivering it has been?

"1989 June 2nd， Tiananmen"

The four in the hunger strike include Liu Xiaobo

Chinese professor of Beijing Normal University

Gao Xin， former Chief Editor of the University paper of BNU

and a Communist Party member

Zhou Duo， Beijing Stone Group's

executive

and Hou Dejian， singer and composer

Among them， Liu Xiaobo

was one of the main advocates of the students' democratic movement

They will go without food for 72 hours

because Hou Dejian is heading to Hong Kong

he will only be involved for 48 hours

On their declaration， it says：

The latest movement is the biggest ever democratic movement

in Chinese history

"1989 August 18th， Beijing"

Hou Dejian was interviewed by CCTV

he talked about the clearance on June 4th at Tiananmen Square

He said he didn't see anyone being beaten to death

(Reporter) During the process

did you see anyone die?

l didn't

l didn't see anyone who got beaten to death with my own eyes

no matter they were students， citizens or soldiers

Not beaten to death， l didn't see with my own eyes

"…the tanks， and the soldiers in the square

they were going against something?"

"Did you see anything

regarding this?"

No， l didn't see anything

Not in the square

Not that

According to Hou Dejian's mother

she's suspicious about the whole thing

lf he's really safe， at home

he would have called us

But we haven't heard from him

that's what l find strange

And that person on TV

doesn't seem like him

"1992 March， Beijing"

You should know that heart break is inevitable

why have you fallen so deep?

Because love is always hard to break up

why focus on the gentleness?

You should know that heart break is inevitable

The sun is the brightest， Chairman Mao is our dearest

Your great contributions are hard to count

Your love is deeper than the ocean

"Liu Shaobo"

At the time l was in Qincheng Prison

the prosecutors showed me the paper

l read that after Hou Dejian walked out of the Australian Embassy

he did an interview with People's Daily

Back then l thought

what Dejian did， under the circumstances

he was telling the truth

not one lie

And he could face his own conscience

Also he was responsible to history

At the time， Dejian stood forward

it had only bad influence on him

because back then lots of people

were saying that it was a massacre etc

There were many shocking news

many were far off the subject

At the time， Beijing fired for certain

and the whole world believed there was a massacre at Tiananmen Square

bloodshed in Beijing city

And Dejian stood forward and spoke

especially after he walked out of the Australian Embassy

and did the interview. Others would think

that he must have made a deal with the government

Zhou Duo

l don't think it makes sense

for all those misunderstandings on Dejian

l think the Chinese has many faults

in this area

They can't forgive

and it wasn't really a matter of forgiveness

l don't think Dejian has done anything wrong

And even if he did， it could possibly

be the government-controlled media

used him to speak up and made some stories of it

at the time， l thought

Dejian has made a mistake in strategy

He shouldn't first accepted the interview with People's Daily

he should have taken interviews with foreign TV news reporters first

The credibility of what he said

would be higher if it was being broadcasted by foreign press

and the damages wouldn't be as much as with the People's Daily interview

Where were people being beaten to death?

When were people being beaten to death?

That's irrelevant

We said that within this limited area inside the square

from 4am onwards till the place was clear

we didn't see that anyone got beaten to death during the period

That's the truth

that's what we saw at the time

it didn't mean that no one's dead during the June 4th incident

That's two different things

The four of us were there

and we spoke to the TV audience

Though we didn't know within us

Dejian was the first to speak

and if you're saying that he should be responsible

and if this has done damages

of course l don't understand up to this date

what exactly the damages have been done

Even if there were

l feel l should be the one to take the blame

because l was the first to be locked up

it was in July

Because l was worried about Xiaobo's situation

l fear that he would be tortured

that's why l came up with this plan

and l suggested that we should

come forward to tell the truth

And in exchange

the four of us， especially Liu Xiaobo

would be free from investigation

l suggested it

and maybe my suggestion

had inspired certain departments

and hence the results

There wasn't anything we could have done

only this. ln the end we organised

a peaceful retreat from the square

And this， from all viewpoints

no matter what political standing you're on

one must admit that it was a good thing

Yes， it improved my situation then

Because on my judgment papers

the main reason stated for my release

and free from criminal sentencing

was that l had played a major role in the retreat

of the students in Tiananmen Square

"Taipei"

There's no need for memorial services， what l mean is

it's no necessary for too much probing into the good， the bad

merits， mistakes， rights and wrongs

lt was almost the anniversary of June 4th

Gao Xin， and later Zhou Duo were freed

Us three planned on writing a letter

on the eve of the anniversary

pleading for the release of Liu Xiaobo

and the others

The Chinese Government couldn't take it

that's why they arrested the three of us

the night before the press conference

Mr. Hou， sit， here

Mr. Hou， do you know

why we invite you here today?

Because of the press conference

Don't misunderstand， take a look at the documents

Notice the term "suspicious of

we're under orders to investigate

Please sign here， Mr. Hou

Your thumb

Alright

Mr. Hou， we know everything about what you've done

but we'd like to give you a chance

You know our party's policy

"be frank and you'll be treated leniently"

that's why l hope you

cherish this chance for you to be frank

Tell us！ What have you done lately?

Singing， dancing， soaking in public baths， practising qigong

and tai chi quan， eating， and…

What did you tell the foreign press?

What l said could be open to the public

l'm not afraid to let others find out

Last time when you looked for me

you told me that l have free speech

We've always had free speech

you can say whatever you want

you won't get into trouble

But there're laws stating that "no spreading of rumours"

especially those involve and hurt the party

and our leaders， those which attack socialism

l was only telling the truth

You lied

l didn't

You're lying with your eyes wide

Mr. Hou， let's try to solve the problem

Regarding the press conference

So it's about the pres conference

l was speaking in public for over half a year

and you're only arresting me today

No， no. Don't get us wrong， Mr. Hou

We invite you here today

not because of the press conference

But since you're here

you won't be able to attend the press conference later

so…what should we do?

What do you suggest?

Don't get us wrong， Mr. Hou

We've always enjoyed freedom of speech in China

everyone can speak publicly

But there're certain influences of public speaking

especially with a celebrity like you

Mr. Hou， that's why…

Cancel it if l can't attend

Fine！ You said it yourself

we didn't force you

The number is….

Contact person?

Chairman of foreign press society， Mr. Gimi

No English， speak in Chinese later

Hello， l'm Hou Dejian， Hou…De…Jian

press conference is cancelled

Right， my idea， cancel it

l'm fine， that's all， bye

Hey， time for food

l said…l am not going to drive

the mad dog (Government) more crazy

l didn't say that term， the reporter wrote it

l didn't say the Government is a mad dog

That's what he meant

lt's the usual rule in journalism

Hong Kong's Mingpao printed an article of Taiwan's China Times

it says， "According to Hou Dejian

he has seen with his own eyes

there were 1000 bodies in the hospital"

lt's a translation mistake

the original was from Canada's Globe and Mail

it said， Hou De Jian himself

believed no more than 1000

people had been killed

That's what it meant

less than a thousand

The Globe and Mail was really angry about this

they especially requested Mingpao to make an amendment

if you don't believe me， we can find the reporter

of the Globe and Mail

This is the proof， of you spreading rumours about the Government

The Government's figures is 300+

l said no more than 1000

Why didn't you say no more than 500?

Because l don't believe in Yuan Mu's statistics

And your statistics are based on what?

My estimation

Great！ lf everyone's making an estimation

the country would be out of order

Who should we listen to?

Unless there's a public investigation on the number of deaths

That's not our business as the police

And it's not your business， all l can say now is that

you openly discussed your own estimation

without any support to the data

Bad mouthing the government， that's fabrication

lt's not. Fabrication involves lying

You know better what the truth is

but you're making it up， that's called fabrication

Whatever l said l thought was the truth

what l believe in

He believes in

We don't want to believe that you would

intentionally hurt the party and our country， Mr. Hou

Maybe you didn't mean to

but you created trouble for our government

l don't think it's a very serious problem

the party and our country's policy has always been very forgiving

you're a smart man， Mr. Hou

Our country could really

use someone as talented as you are

Think about it， Mr. Hou

for example， the Asian Games is coming soon

Cui Jian (musician) has also answered to the government's call

he'll perform in a concert to raise funding for the games

the theme song hasn't been decided yet

Mr. Hou， you're a famous composer

why must you be so stubborn?

Think it over， take a step back and it will be fine

The key is that you must "raise your understanding"

do more in-depth self-criticism

We need to give an account

not explanations and details， think about it

l just couldn't agree that using tanks， machine guns

on the students and civilians as something great

glorious， smart， and right

Mr. Hou， have you thought seriously

how many years has the party and country supported you?

Hold on， who's supporting whom?

l paid a total of RMB$232，800

for tax in 1986 alone

l supported the Communist Party

l think l've contributed to the salary

of your President Jiang Zemin

Our party， our President

Then who are you?

Tax payer

Fine！ You've got guts， you…

We'll wait and see

Let's wrap it up today

Why did you throw a tantrum?

We had a deal

as long as you cooperate

after the sensitive time around June 4th has passed

you could go home

and we could relax， but you insist…

Sorry， l just can't let myself

writing down what l don't believe in

And l don't believe that

your party， government need

those self-deceit bullshit

That's why…

That's why l wrote in the letter that

please bring me more clothes and medication

if l spend more time here

l might be able to "raise my understanding"

Mr. Hou， why are you doing this?

You're only hurting yourself by doing this

l understand your good intention

l wish there were more good cops like you

Good cop

Sometimes l think

that cops like myself wreck things up

What do you mean?

lt's not the first time l heard the compliment

At first l was quite proud

but then l gave it some thought

Are people like me， being mediators

trying to solve small problems

and in the end let the problem

gone out of hand?

Sometimes l am not

sure what l'm supposed to do

Me neither

don't know what l should do， and whether l've done right

Chief

They are too nice to you

you've been living too comfortably here

you don't want to get out?

Listen well， it's from

the highest authority， and there're no negotiations

You've got two choices

One， go to prison. Second， go back to Taiwan

And we don't want to choose the first one

To be frank， you're very special， Mr. Hou

lf you were just an ordinary citizen

we could lock you up for years

just by finding out he's spoken to the foreign press

l hope that you'd suggest the second choice

Think it over， the sentence for "counter-revolution"

could be up to fifteen years

Mr. Hou， freedom is priceless

you shouldn't give it up that easily

as long as you cooperate

l guarantee that your friends， family will all benefit

My friend? You mean…Liu Xiaobo?

You're a smart man， think it over

This is my choice， l won't blame anyone

When you told me to write last time

l've already said it， l won't hate anyone

for carrying out his duties

Thanks

Have you been away from home long?

Seven whole years

Then you should go back， reunite with your folks

You should

Stay safe on the road

So? Mr. Hou. lt's much better

to be out here rather than inside， right?

Yes， it's dead bored in the room

That's enough…

Great…

Mr. Hou， come…sit， make yourself at home

lt's not easy for you to be our guest

Come…sit

Thanks， l don't drink

Mr. Hou， help yourself

Let me

Thanks

Mr. Hou， eat more

Let me

Make yourself at home

So? What do you think?

lt's pretty good

He's the cook

His main work at home is cooking

Practise makes perfect

Shut up

What about his wife?

She's really something

How?

His wife is doing really well

she makes twice of his monthly salary in one day

She's in business

The most modern profession of all， private businessman

Makes good money

Oh， l didn't expect that

My wife is really busy

what choice do l have?

Someone has to cook

l can't let my four years-old daughter starves

l love my daughter too

Then we're mates！ Cheers

Cheers

You cook so well

because you love your daughter， very nice

Mr. Hou， let me cook a meal for you one day

Really? Great

Deal

lsn't that a match on tonight? West Germany vs. Holland?

How could we forget?

Great…

Good one

That was a good goal

West Germany?

That wasn't W. Germany's goal

Can't believe you…

Holland's

Right…

Jie Yupeng， from this day on

you're Hou Dejian's entrusted representative in Beijing

You can find us if you have any oppositions

Ask him if you have any questions

ls there anything you need to talk to him?

Where are the things?

l took everything that they would allow

Your things at home， such as the sound system

should l take care of those?

Just leave them

l still have some of your cash

Keep it， you'll need it

What about you?

You don't know， l have mine…

Listen， l have some US dollars…

You're still a nag

Don't worry. Everything's fine， l'll come out soon

Let's go， Mr. Hou

We are the Navy of the PLA

stop the boat now， or we'll fire

Freeze

l shall return

Listen up， boat man

Bring this man to Taiwan

ls this your plan， arrangement you talked about?

You told me to go back to Taiwan， how can l enter?

This is an order， go

l have one note for you

after you've gone back to Taiwan， make up a good explanation

Get up！ Those people who refuse to be slaves

Get up…

Go， go…

On the matter that

how they arranged my return to Taiwan

l had many questions

for example， does Taiwan welcome me?

Would Taiwan accept my return?

"Women Women"

"You say， l say"

lt's quite a trial we have here today

not only that we've the press

and a full jury

lt's human nature

to be a fickle lover

l guess you'd be the best

who has really lived up to be one

in our history

no one could even come close

You abandoned your wife and child

seven years ago

you left them irresponsibly

And seven years later

your second wife

has told everyone through the media

that you're a very irresponsible man

l wonder whether you think

that as a human being

one must take certain responsibilities?

lf the society sees you

as a selfish man

that you lead your life like a game

l want to ask

what are your reactions to those?

Do you agree by not saying anything

or will you appeal?

After June 4th

many people step

on the blood and flesh of others

to make themselves look impressive

Of course， you wouldn't admit that you're a chameleon

a rattlesnake

You think that mainland China is like a refugee camp

but you once said that

you couldn't get a taste of China when you were in Taiwan

That's why you left for China seven years ago

But when you were there， from our research

you bought a villa， and you spent RMB$60，000

just on the decoration alone

l often doubt that whether

you haven't read the wuxia novels

by Mr. Jin Yong

East Wicked， West Poison， South Emperor， North Beggar

l've read almost every one of those

Then do you learn from Ouyang Feng? (evil)

Mr. Hou， l feel sorry for you

l wonder

whether you would feel the same

For the Chinese

it happened a major incident

here (in Taiwan)

For the first time in 2000 years

the Chinese don't have absolute power on a piece of her own land

And for the first time

for the Chinese

with their own power， they can live relaxingly， without pressure

And now， they don't know

what to do with the freedom. But it's great

So， Taiwan is not only a "nouveau riche" in economics

it's the same in politics

and in freedom

Too much money， too much freedom

When you have the money

but not enough culture to catch up

how to spend the money

You should know that heart break is inevitable

at every time you wake up from a dream

You shouldn't ask about some things

and you shouldn't wait for some people…

This way in， when l was a kid

it's the biggest temple here

The railway track， during the time for transporting sugar cane

We'd run after the trains

and as we caught up

we'd jump up and pick up the sugar cane

l lived inside the same house

when l was born until l was a teenager

The one at front

lt's no longer our house

l thought this wall was tall when l was little

l had to stand on my toes to look at the inside

l took a picture right here when l was this tall

These swings， they are antiques

Looking back， everyone left home for fulfilling their dreams and vision

Who would want to move up and down willingly

Looking back， people with different standings

were looking in the same direction

Talking about the past， who really wanted to do it

just to be different

Fighting to be different

Looking back

one would be angry at incomplete questions

but now there're only a few

that needs answers

About where l'm from， and where l'm off to

On 16th April， 1992

Hou Dejian left Taiwan once again

heading to New Zealand

But he said that he'd return to Taiwan

after he's finished the immigration process

About what you have & what you don't have， about enough & not enough

About you love or you don't， about what you should or shouldn't

About the stars， moon and the sun

and the time of the four seasons

About the Opium War and the Alliance of the Eight Countries

About 1840 and 1997

And about…

== TLF HALFCD TEAM ==

How are you Ann?

We have know each other for so long

but never have the opportunity to sit down and chat

While working in TVB during the 60's

You were always kept aloof

sits on the top floor

we as artists, mostly sit on the lower floors

If I have not gone up to look for the director

there would be very few opportunities to meet you

Yes, I recalled once

probably in 1975

I just started working in TVB

and you were already famous at that time

At that time a few of the new director told me

Gigi Wong was here

therefore we pretend to go to the washroom

saw you conversed with others

You had long hair, parted from the centre

no makeup, don't looked like a movie star at all

Your appearance was very natural

and gave everybody a very deep impression

That was the first time I saw you with my own eyes

before that, I only watch your programs

Although you said the impression was deep

but in TVB period

we never had the opportunity to work together

There aren't many female role in the police movie

even if there were, they were either killed or raped

Finally when filming "Below the Lion Rock" at RTHK

then we have the opportunity to work together

That was probably 1978

I wanted to film a series but have no title to it

probably the story was about drug rehabilitation

the story was very interesting, not telling you now

Let's talk about how we cooperate first

I wanted to ask Kam Kwok Leung to write the script

but because he had other commitment

No, I looked for Chan Wai Man first

Chan Wai Man was getting married, thus looked for Kam

We have already done some research

having the story outline, involving two cases

but Kam Kwok Leung was tied up

we finally approached Lau Tak Lung

The story involved three women

all three are lead actresses

I wanted to finish filming "Below the Lion Rock"

before starting to work on movies

so I wanted to look for a few artist to work together

I worked with Dodo Cheng while filming "ICAC"

I was in TVB when working with Chan Yuk Lin

Seen many of her programs, I admire her

the same with you, I have seen many of your programs

but never had the opportunity to work with you

The role I wanted you to act was a social worker

a social worker that urge people not to take drugs

I feel that especially with your acting capabilities

one third of the script is too limited for you

A social worker depends on her individuality and image

she must look like a social worker but not too much

because if too much, it would be very typical

Remembered I told you about when moulding a character

that role was called Mrs. Something

should be different from your usual appearance

You are usually with long hair and long pant

resembles a lady from the 50's

I remembered you happily said that you could put on

a pair of pearl earrings and comb your hair up

But I have some complain about you

I don't understand why you didn't teach me acting

I always hoped that a director would direct me

As you said in 70's

at that time I was famous

those lesser qualified director dare not teach me

I thought with the opportunity to work with you

you would certainly point it out to me

but you did not

I depended on myself to act to whole script

I felt inferior because of this

Many people said the same thing to me

I don't know why as a director

I don't teach how to act

I have been this way ever since I became a director

Till now I still think that this is the way

Speaking of performance, during the casting

there're certain degree of pattern

for example, when you found an artist

you thought he knew how-to act that role

or he has his own idea

you let him act on his own first

then you treat yourself as the audience

then you decide where you need to modify

for example, the story aspect

I no longer feel inferior once I think of this

which mean when you found the artist

you would let him act on his own

Only for new comer, if he is a seasoned artist

I would give him some abstract

for example, this social worker

is quite a cautious woman

but also very capable

After listening you should know how-to act

so I don't have to go into too detail

I agree with you

Generally speaking, RTHK and other TV station

production are very different

but my style of filming in RTHK

and in TV station does not differ much

except there are more time in RTHK

As an artist, I also feel that acting in RTHK

is more relax, but I still feel that

the selection for "Below the Lion Rock" was rigorous

There are certain criteria for the topic selection

moreover, sometime we are entrusted to do the filming

The series you were in, was for the drug rehab centre

Based on tradition, you'll need to interview people

and some real cases

Unlike the official propaganda

filming from the official standpoint

I can feel that the story is indeed real

I really went to the rehabilitation centre

spending time and talking to a group of women

who were drug abuser or rehabilitating from drugs

I remembered that Wong Man was one of the actress

she was there learning their facial expression

to understand how her role is going to be

The filming used real-life scenery and real cases

the artists were not the real-life persons

they were all paid temporary artists

The most convenient thing in RTHK's production is that

we are allowed to film in many official's locations

for example, filming in the Drug rehab Centre

Outside, it will be very difficult to find locations

I remembered when Gigi was working with us

her style in the movie and in the television series

has a great difference, you told me once

that she practiced shooting

Yes

that's why I said I can act in police show

She has a very refined image

but she told me she liked the feeling of aiming

at things and pulling the trigger

I remembered you said these before

I forgotten I told you these before

I remembered my brother used to take me hunting

he would place a can in front

then aimed and fired

he missed

fired again but still missed

I said is it like this

bang, I hit the can

I brother was very surprised

I think I have a very high accuracy at aiming

It make me feel that I’m good at it

that's why I fell in love with shooting

Till now I still remember

I forgotten to tell you

But I knew I have such ability

because the impression you gave us was very lady like

a very feminine kind

not one that love shooting and speeding

I do love speeding

In school, I was the champion in track and field

dashes, high jump, long jump and shot put

I didn't know at that time

that Lau Chung Yan quit after secondary school

because ours was a all girls school

He said I remembered you

the one that took the championship

I said how did you know?

He said I studied in Precious Blood school too

I also knew that you were good in cooking at that time

Yes, at that time I have to do lots of housework

including cooking in the kitchen

I am very different on the screen

Indeed, in realistic you are very modernised

more. vigour

I remembered after my divorce

I would put on some sexy spaghetti dress

people around me felt strange

and suspected that I was having a break down

but that was the real me

Director or the audience only see me on screen

Yes

I believe in getting in touch more

during filming, I seldom chat with the artists

maybe due to time constrain

That's why I only remember you practise gun shooting

If there is chance to film "Below the Lion Rock" again

please ask me to act in another role

I don't have to be a social work or someone's wife

maybe the ringleader of a drug syndicate

After today’s conversation

if you are to film again in future

what role would you put me in?

Well, let's hear it

It will be "Internal Affairs"

how about being a policewoman?

I really hope that we will work together again

How many years has it been? 1978 till now

in a few more years, it would be 30 years

Actually RTHK production of "Below the Lion Rock"

except for the difference in environment

the production was very serious

I really hope that my friends

movies or television workers and viewers

will have the chance to view these production

When it was re-run on the television

because I did not preserve a copy

I filmed 3 or 4 series for RTHK

When "Road" was re-run

I acted in "Road", should be "Bridge"

my mother goes to play mahjong every week

at that time, my mother's mahjong's friends

all watched the television

later they told my mother

your daughter's works was not as good as before

These words were so cruel

I was stunned without expression

I wanted to review these series at that time

but I don't have a copy

I also don't have

Although it was only an hour but it is very meaningful

The production was serious

I believed regardless of the research work

because RTHK is government owned

there are enough resources

thus regardless of looking for location or artists

everything are well coordinated

thus the production is better

Now, with the release of VCD

firstly, I certainly would like to watch it again

to understand why pervious works are better

Second, is history

Those series are able to portray the 70's

what the people wear and eat

These are very interesting, not just sentimental

because that is a real record

I feel the same way too

That was why many people wanted to participate in

the performance of "Below the Lion Rock"

Many artists wanted to participate

We have contracts with many organisation with artists

they are all able to participate in RTHK programs

but if it is other television station's programs

they may not be able to participate

But if it is RTHK production

they are more lenient

they are willing to participate even the pay is lower

This is because the production is earnest

the artist is willing to participate at low pay

Because the quality of the program is good

and now since they're releasing the video discs

I hope that there will be more opportunities

to introduce it to other people

Wow! The production standard used to be so high

I really feel ashamed

but I am proud of it

because I participated in the acting

== TLF HALFCD TEAM ==

I used to work in ICAC

later, I joined TVB

after which I joined RTHK

TV production at all three places are identical

except for a slight difference in pace

fact-finding is a must for all three places

Just like filming the Vietnamese refugees in RTHK

we have to go to the refugee camp

to talk to them to understand them

After almost one month

we have built a close relationship with them

then we start on the script

The script contains many real cases

major parts are real cases, then we added the story

Thus, later when I make film

basically is the same manner

unable to create a role out of imagination

Must have real incident

then add in a story

Later the story line may become more

but basically this is how it works

It has it's pros and cons

it is very laborious and frustrating

For example, when filming "July Rhapsody"

I would use whatever means

to observe students attending classes

With a bystander sitting in a corner

it is natural the students don't feel comfortable

Fortunately the teacher was very cooperative

allowing me to sit at one side

All that were trained in RTHK

not only myself

other directors or assist. director, at that time

use the same method of observation

thus became a indispensable part of creation

When it is time for filming

it is much easier to adapt

Ideas and playwriting all started in the same manner

While in TVB, it was the same

but schedule in TVB was much tighter

in RTHK, time was in abundance

At that time, the filming team only has one room

with a desk to two person

but everyone were willing to go to work

Every morning between 9 to 10 am

all would go to the canteen for breakfast

then back to the office to continue chatting

Those that have to work would leave

Everyone would come back for dinner

There was a great period of time in this way

in between discussing own production

own script or others' script

When Cheung Man Yee discovered BBC production

and she think it was interesting

she would asked us over for a look

Some of the award winning advertisement

that were broadcasts in the advertisement company

she would take us there for a look

It makes me feels like a movie institute

Because it is not compulsory

and it allowed for practise

during practise, it feels interesting and fun

very amusing

When your thought is able to come true

everybody will be very happy

moreover, there is no box office pressure

There's work, no financial pressure

young

with all these factor gathered together

it is the best environment to cultivate creativity

At that time, we were not aware how lucky we were

just thought that it is a natural matter

When I started working, then I know the real world

I joined RTHK in 1978

when I return to film again, it was 1992

It has been more than 10 years

and I always wanted to make

a documentary about Hou Dejian

but it was hard to find investor

At that moment a new series on "Below the Lion Rock"

was starting I said if they allowed me to film

Hou Dejian, I will film

Since I have no other theme

as a result, they allowed me

We have plenty of time to do the filming

It was originally planned as a documentary

but later I discovered there was a period of time

he was imprisoned for interrogation

This section has a rich theatrical nature

therefore I then attempt to fuse a

documentary and drama together

combining a real and fictions person together

I was told later that the response was good

but I did not pursue further

Everyone was able to accepted that

Hou Dejian wearing a wig to act as himself

is a laughable matter

I almost suspect if that was really him

This was indeed a very rare opportunity

because when you want to attempt something new

you cannot achieve it if time is not on your side

We spent a lot of time on editing

we also spent a lot of time on filming

We film the documentary part followed by the drama

Without the full support of RTHK

the pressure to have a realistic end product

Actually, everybody at that time were in doubts

because there were no outstanding production

it was just an experiment

Finally when we knew it will work

we were very happy

Actually I think it was 1991

that I started the preparatory work

Towards the end of 1990, while in Japan

I started researching about Hou Dejian

Later RTHK managed to get a assistant

to assist in the research work

included television segment and listening to records

Then when I return to Hong Kong in 1991

the first thing I did was

to make a phone call to Hou Dejian

I have met him once before

in 1983, during the eve of him going to China

Once a friend asked me out for a meal

on the day before he leave Hong Kong

I told him on the phone

I wanted to film a documentary about him

He was very supportive

Then I went to Taipei

I found that he is a very practical person

Maybe he was familiar with filming

he said he has two friends in China

one is Liu Xiaobo, the other is Xiao Xie

in regards to every aspect of the June 4 incident

that occurred to him, they are very familiar

Then I went to Beijing

to compile the script slowly

Actually I have done part of it before

I will not go into details here

He coordinate with my work very well

When I discuss the script with him

he even personally makes amendments to it

For instance Ming Pao or other newspapers reports

when we discuss it together

and if we miss out anything

he would later supplement it

Therefore every word in the content were just like

what others have asked him

Since he does not get off the bed in the morning

he requested to leave the residence

and move to the hotel we lived in

so as to allow us to do filming in the morning

He was very supportive of us

That time Cheung Man Yee wanted to do filming

but I was working in ICAC

Cheung Man Yee wanted to change "Below the Lion Rock"

from a series to a drama

lengthen the film from half hour to an hour

and thus need additional director, including me

The impression I got was a fast pace

very little idle talk, infrequently meetings

During the first meeting, she said that

there was one requirement for our filming work

to film seven play for the Immigration Dept

to publicises the Immigration Department's work

When we film the plain clothed police department

often we don't film the police directly

Instead we film how the crime were committed

I feel we can do it this way

I said we can film guest from different country

we then allocate our own respective play set

Someone wanted to film Thai guests and Thai brides

I said I wanted to film Vietnamese refugees

At that time there was a newspaper report on

a big refugee boat arrived in Hong Kong

by the name of “Sky Transport"

with it carried about 1000 refugees

The government set up an emergency refugee camp

thus I went to the refugee camp everyday

to get to know the refugees

Then Hong Kong started to have Vietnamese cuisine

it felt amusing

in this way, I found many themes to write the script

Because there were too many themes

for example, why they wanted to come to Hong Kong

how they board the ship and what happen on the ship

what were their plans on arrival

The more I asked the more materials I get

I even asked Cheung Man Yee

can we go to Chinatown to film?

She said the cost can't cover our trip to USA

Later I filmed the movie "Story of Woo Viet"

which may became "Below the Lion Rock"

"From Vietnam" part 2

When I started on movies, I looked for many people

told them I have this story

and would they be interested to invest?

They all said filming in Chinatown is too expensive

thus unwilling to invest

Until a boss told me that

there's a Chinatown in Philippines too

This would be nearer, would it be ok?

I asked in reply, there's a Chinatown in Philippines?

He said sure and I could go look for myself

Finally went to Philippines's Chinatown

We never had the least bit of sedulously

nor a big sense of mission

When we make movies

the more serious the topic, the more careless we are

we'll discuss where to go

for supper after the shooting

In a way we’d look like some 'thief'