Original subtitles

Hibiscus Town

Shot by China Film Distribution and Exhibition Corporation

Produced by Shanghai Film Corporation

Based on a novel written by GU Hua

Screenplay A Cheng, Xie Jin

Cinematography Lu Junfu

Composer GeYan Art Director Jin Qifen

Cast Liu Xiaoqing, Jiang Wen, Zheng Zaishi, Zhu Shibin.

Director Xie Jin

Sister Hibiscus, extra spicy hot please.

No problem.

More spring onions for me.

Guigui.

Sister Hibiscus, I'm still waiting. Come on.

Coming.

- Extra spicy hot? - Yeah.

Hot enough to cause a stomach ache.

Then I have you to cure it.

Can I have a bowl with more soup please?

No problem.

Here's a bowl with more soup to cool you off.

You hands are as white and soft as rice beancurd.

Shut up.

Did you wife tell you to kneel beside the bed yesterday?

Did she tweak your ear?

My ears would rather be tweaked by you.

Come on. Come on, please.

Go away.

Stop being a lout.

Grandma, welcome.

Take a seat.

How are you?

How is the business?

I've put more chili sauce for you.

Leaving? See you.

Sister Mangeng.

- Morning. - Have a big one.

Brother Mangeng, morning.

Secretary Li is here. Have some rice beancurd.

- Have a bowl. - I'll have a bowl.

Sister Hibiscus, can I have a bowl of rice beancurd?

I've heard it.

Sister Hibiscus, here you are.

Alright. Give it to me then.

Yuyin, how much have you earned?

Mom.

Let's go.

Sister Hibiscus, a bowl of rice beancurd please.

Alright.

Wang Qiushe.

Have you got up?

Coming.

Have you told everyone about the meeting tonight?

I'm about to.

What are you doing?

Where is Manager Li?

Is she in the wok?

I've got an important notice from the town.

If she misses it, will you be responsible?

An intelligence officer you are. There she is.

Business of the government really.

But a man from the government can't be received with a bowl of water.

Don't touch it.

The world is so inconceivable.

Haven't they tried rice beancurd before?

You don't understand. Can't you see?

They are like cats prowling around that beancurd stall.

Manager Li, we can set up a stall too.

We'll make a lot of money, trust me.

Bullshit.

Our restaurant is state run, using commodity grain.

That stall is what?

Manager Li, there's a meeting for all cadres tonight.

Okay. Okay.

Four Freedoms are getting corrupted.

Old Gu,

- what have you been up to? - Nothing much.

Can I talk to you for a second?

You need grain again?

With the grain you have, you can make lots of nice food.

The manager of the grain depot is all about grain.

Don't you like Wulin Liquor?

I've saved two bottles for you.

Shall I get them now?

Forget it. Forget it.

Rumor says rat poop is found in the food sold in your restaurant.

Come on. Will I give customers rat poop to eat?

Your collar's so dirty. Shall I wash it for you?

Old Gu, people in the cities are using fake collars now.

Anyway. See you.

Old Gu, don't be late for the meeting tonight.

I'll have a bowl.

- Manager Gu. - Hello.

Guigui, Manager Gu is here.

Old Gu, hello.

Mangeng.

Manager Gu.

Old Gu.

Qiushe, is that a dine and dash again?

Did you see Qin Shutian? He is giving a hand after paying.

But you eat and run.

If this house is sold to Hu Yuyin,

two or three thousand bowls wouldn't be enough.

A local rascal.

Do you have a trading license?

Sister Officer, do you want to have some...?

Trading license.

What's the matter?

It's a small business, but we're paying taxes.

Trading license.

Everybody in the town knows that.

I need to see your trading license.

If you don't have it, I'll ask my assistants to confiscate your stall.

Another one.

Another one.

Say something.

Forget it. Forget it.

Living in this town, we see each other frequently.

If needed, go to the tax office.

Sister Hibiscus's rice beancurd is delicious.

Guoxiang, has he told you about the meeting tonight?

You're all treating me as an outsider.

Give me another bowl.

Uncle.

Crazy Qin,

summon the Five Categories to the public square after dinner.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

What is making so much smoke?

I'm cooking something.

Give me a cigarette.

Do you want to have mine?

Summon all of them now.

Yes.

Attention please...

At the border of three provinces, this town is in a complicated situation.

A lot have abandoned farming and started to do private businesses,

which have harmed the collective economy of the people's commune.

As cadres,

what do you think about the situation?

Hibiscus Town has always been a pain for political movement.

But this time, the County Committee are determined.

Guoxiang, you've been in this town for a long time.

Are you going out with someone?

Men here are not my cup of tea.

Take it.

Secretary Li, they are all there.

Good.

Crazy Qin, come on.

Stand up.

Secretary Li,

the Five Categories have been summoned as you requested.

- All of them? - Yes.

- Call the roll. - Yes.

Rightist Qin Shutian. Here.

- Landlord Zhang Hongde. - Yes.

- Landlord Zhang Yaozhong. - Yes.

- Bad-influencer Tian Zhifen. - Yes.

- Rich peasant Liu Deqi. - Yes.

- Counter-revolutionary Huang Jinchang. - Yes.

Rich peasant Li Fugui.

Yes.

Where is Li Fugui?

Secretary Li,

at 3:29 this afternoon, rich peasant Li Fugui

started vomiting blood.

He is not able to come. But, his grandson is here

to hear instructions on behalf of him.

What a life!

Class struggle will probably last for decades.

You can go back now.

From now on, behave yourselves.

Mind your words and actions.

Dismissed.

Be quick. Come on.

- Crazy Qin - Yes? I

Any paint left for another slogan?

Yes, Secretary Li.

On the wall over there, put another slogan.

Just write...

I'll read the document first. I'll tell you when to copy it.

No problem.

Excuse me, Secretary Li,

should it be in Bold Ariel or Imitation Song?

The one you used last time.

Yes. I'll successfully accomplish the task.

How is it?

Manager Gu.

Wang Qiushe has sold his homestead to us.

We're planing to build a new house here.

Shall I dry your face?

- Never mind. - Walk slowly.

Walk slowly.

Uncle,

when will I have the result of my job relocation application?

You're secretary of the County Committee.

The permit will soon arrive.

You'll be Chief of County Bureau of Commerce.

- Very nice. - Have some tea.

Hello. Have some candies.

Give some candies to the girl.

This house is light and bright.

When the old house is torn down, Guigui and I want to adopt a child.

We'll need support from the production brigade.

Yes, we'll support.

Manager Gu, we want you to be his sworn father.

In that case, supplying you with seconds and sweepings

would give me a bad name.

It's a joke.

Being a sworn father means wealth and prosperity.

Manager Li.

Chief Li now.

You left last year, right? Just settle down first.

I'll call the secretary.

You're Wang Qiushe?

He's a land Reform activist.

Oh, right.

We'll go to your house later.

My house is very messy. Chaotic really.

We're looking for someone in great affliction.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you for coming from afar.

Comrades, it's been nearly 15 years since Liberation,

but land reform activists like Wang Qiushe

have not actually become rich.

What is the reason?

I'm in charge of class struggle. But, without a movement,

how could we do it?

Any activities going on in the town?

Hu Yuyin has moved into her new house.

It's bustling. Meat and alcohol are being served.

Let's go, Team Leader Li, let's go.

Hu Yuyin?

The one who sells rice beancurd?

It's her. I would have been there, if I hadn't gone to pick you up.

Alright, I will drink it for her.

Say something.

I'm not good at talking. But I'll give everyone a bow.

Give us a bow too.

Brother Mangeng, please help.

Shall we invite Old Gu to say something?

Some are rich, and some poor.

That's a big gap here.

Comrades, we have a heavy responsibility.

Right.

Qiushe,

why didn't you come yesterday?

Some are rich, and some poor. Time for a movement.

Team Leader Li, is this movement like a land reform?

A second land reform?

A second land reform.

Will people be reclassified?

Yes. To purify the class ranks

by drawing a clear line between different elements.

Old Wang, I'm impressed by your thoughts.

Very good. Very good.

Will the property of each family get redistributed?

You can say so.

Fine. I'm all for such a movement.

Old Wang, can you tell us honestly

who belongs to the Four Uncleans?

And who is the newly rich?

Is Hu Yuyin at home?

Yes? Team Leader Li, I've heard you're in the town.

And I was planning to visit you.

Come in please.

Guigui,

Team Leader Li is here to visit us. Prepare some tea.

Please sit here.

I'll help myself.

Boil some water now.

Have some melon seeds.

He's dumb.

I should have come earlier.

Today, on behalf the work team,

I'm here to see your new house,

and to discuss a couple of things with you.

Sit. Sit.

There's no market today?

Have you heard of the work team from the the County Committee?

For this movement,

we have to assess each family's political and financial status.

Honesty to the work team equals honesty to the party.

You know what I mean?

Have some tea.

I've drawn up a preliminary reckoning for you.

Point out any discrepancies if there are.

If you sell 500 bowls of rice beancurd at each market,

that's 50 yuan.

Six markets a month, you make 300 yuan.

We can deduct 100 yuan for your expenses,

you still make 200 yuan a month.

Hu Yuyin,

that is as high as the salary of provincial leaders.

Trading in a small way,

we just muddled along, and never figured that out.

Team Leader Li, I've got a trading license.

We're not saying you broke the law or exploited anyone.

Anyway, we won't go into that now.

But the land of your house

is the benefit of the poor peasant Wang Qiushe, isn't it?

The couplet on the gate

was written by the reactionary rightist Qin Shutian, right?

Another thing.

The manager of the grain depot,

Gu Yanshan supplied you with 60 pounds of good rice for each market.

No, they're seconds and sweepings.

Lots of organizations and private families buy seconds to feed pigs.

They fatten their pigs and sell them to the state.

What about you?

You buy rice seconds

and turn them into a commodity to fatten yourself.

The manager of the grain depot, Gu Yanshan

has supplied you with 11,880 pounds of rice.

No, Team Leader Li.

No?

Don't be nervous.

I'm here to learn more about the situation.

I'm still busy. I should be going.

The provincial, city, and county committees

have issued the above three notices

on class struggle for the Four Cleanups Movement.

Let's come to the second part of the meeting.

Is the bourgeois rightist Qin Shutian present?

Yes.

Come here.

Stand over there.

This is the famous Qin Shutian of Hibiscus Town.

Crazy Qin.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

- Stand still. - Yes. Yes. Yes.

Do you hate your class enemy?

I want to ask you a question.

Particularly you cadres.

Is Qin Shutian famous or notorious?

In 1957, he collected folk songs,

wrote reactionary dance dramas.

He used them as weapons to attack our party and socialism.

Isn't he an evil rightist?

He's dismissed from his post to get reeducated.

But quite shockingly,

he's in charge of the political propaganda in Hibiscus Town.

On walls all over the town,

there are revolutionary slogans.

They are written by this reactionary rightist.

Qin Shutian.

Answer me.

Who gave this important task to you?

Important task?

Crazy Qin, tell us.

It's...

A higher-up. A higher-up.

Stuttering in fright shows you're hiding something.

Back to your seat.

Some cadres can't tell enemies and allies apart,

and have completely lost their class stand.

Can I possibly ask

which side are you on?

Comrades,

poor and lower-middle peasants,

many strange things have happened.

Not long ago, a stall owner in our town

has just built a new house.

People are saying

the new house is grander

than two of the biggest before Liberation.

By the way,

in two years and nine months,

that stall owner has made a profit of 6,600 yuan.

It's 6,600 yuan.

But some cadres

are behind her for a capitalist path.

Quiet. Quiet. Quiet.

Quiet. Quiet.

I'll take a pee.

We'd better sell the new house,

even at a loss of two or three hundred yuan.

We're fated to live in this dump.

Shut up. Can't you show some guts?

We've worked our fingers to the bone,

and have worn out the mill handle and the cauldron.

Who have we exploited? What law have we broken?

How can you think of selling it?

Yuyin, it's just an idea.

You always have the final say.

Do what you think is right.

You fool.

Can't you even say it when it hurts?

Yuyin,

with you, I'm not afraid of anything,

even if we have to beg.

Yuyin, I'm not as cowardly as a wild duck.

For this new house,

I'll do anything, even if you want me to kill someone.

Are you out of your mind to say something like that?

Just want you to know it, though I'm not going to kill anyone.

You wanted to sell our new house. Now you want to risk your neck.

It's just a mass meeting, then you're scared stiff.

If real trouble happens, how could you cope?

At least I can choose to die.

You...

Over half of what the team leader said

was aimed at you! Party secretary!

I don't now whether you've taken that in?

What are you really up to

with that sworn sister of yours who sells beancurd?

How did you lose your class stand because of Crazy Qin?

Luckily, that team leader didn't name you.

Does she look like a married woman?

Is she a woman or a devil?

Can you please shut up?

You...

I've had enough tonight.

Stop being so headstrong in front of me.

Why not put up a fight outside if you believe you're right?

- Itching for a clout, are you? - So what?

Bitch.

- How dare you. - Serves you right.

See if I don't beat you.

Don't you dare!

Which side are you on?

This 1500 yuan shouldn't stay here.

We'd better ask Brother Mangeng to take care of it,

in case it becomes the root of all trouble.

Mangeng?

What the team leader said was aimed at him.

No worries. He's a soldier before. And a party member now.

Who can hurt him?

And he's my sworn brother.

Alright.

Yuyin,

you'd better hide yourself.

I have a relative in Guangxi Province.

Lower your voice.

Sister Mangeng.

You all belong to the Five Categories,

the reactionary class and element.

Remember to mind your words and actions.

Think about what you did last week,

and report it to me later. Got it?

Yes.

Stop looking elsewhere.

Look.

Hey.

What are you doing?

You'd better stay away from that bitch Hu Yuyin.

Sooner or later you'll get enticed.

Can you shut up?

Bastard.

Food and sleep are important.

Life is like that.

Movement? It'll soon be past.

You don't understand a shit.

Go to sleep.

You're driving away mosquitoes.

Life is not easy for mosquitoes either.

What's wrong?

What is it? Tell me.

Do you know that Yuyin is my sworn sister?

She and Guigui are nice and honest.

But they have probably become Li Guoxiang's targets.

Hu Yuyin has 1500 yuan.

How do you know that secret stash of your sworn sister?

It might get confiscated.

None of our business.

Listen to me.

After the mass meeting, Hu Yuyin gave the money to me,

and asked me to keep it for her.

You took it?

Where did you put it?

The old place upstairs.

Fine.

You're asking for trouble, are you?

You'll be the ruin of us.

I've been a good wife to you,

but you're bewitched by that tramp.

What's there to scream about?

Tell me straight,

what's that bitch Hu Yuyin to you?

Am I your wife? Or is she your wife?

Can't you just shut up? Stop your nonsense.

Go ahead then. Punch me.

I've got you three daughters. Now you don't like me anymore?

You want to ditch me,

because I'm not as beautiful as she is. You wretch!

Go on.

Beat me to death, then you can...

What did the team leader say at the meeting?

You don't want this family anymore?

Hiding the filthy money of a filthy whore.

You stupid wretch.

You want to get the kids into trouble 100?

And get all of us punished and jailed?

No way.

What are you doing?

Let me go.

Where are you going?

Give it to me.

Will you hand it in or not ?

If you don't, I'll report you.

No.

Bitch.

Want me to knock you dead?

Anyway I've nothing to live for.

Mangeng...

Mangeng, Mangeng, I beg you, Mangeng...

Mangeng, I'm not asking you to do it for me.

For three kids, you have to hand the money in.

Mangeng,

I beg you.

Heavens, in this world,

how can we live if people are trampling over others?

Think about it carefully.

To keep your party membership,

or to marry a girl running an illegal stall?

Old Gu,

have you thought it through?

Suspending you from your post is a decision

made by the County Committee and the County Grain Bureau.

You're old, and I've always treated you respectfully.

But your problem is much more serious than we think.

You may become a target in this movement.

But, if you can be honest to the Organization Department,

problems will be resolved.

Personally,

I don't hold any prejudice against Hibiscus,

nor against you.

Look. I made a point of talking to you alone,

without the other members of the work team.

Gu Yanshan,

there's a number you should know.

According to our investigations,

since late 1961,

in two years and nine months,

the amount of rice you sold to the new bourgeois element Hu Yuyin

is 11,880 pounds.

Is it true?

More than ten thousand?

A large number, isn't it?

Those are seconds and sweepings, instead of good rice from the treasury.

Sweepings or good rice, whatever you name it.

Manager Gu,

where did you get so much rice?

Have you ever planted it?

You took it from the treasury, did you?

Did you report it to the County Grain Bureau?

Who gave you such a big power?

She's not the only one I supplied.

There's an account you can check.

I never made use of my position.

So clean?

Maybe you didn't make a cent, I believe you.

But you're a bachelor.

And a bachelor has his way of being paid.

What way has a bachelor of being paid?

You don't need me to remind you?

Cats love fish, don't they?

That beancurd pedlar is the beauty of Hibiscus.

Are you saying I had an affair with her?

Things like that is what she's good at.

Her mother worked as a whore before.

Team Leader Li, how could I possibly have an affair with her?

How could I?

How could I?

I...

Li Guoxiang, you...

You...

You can gather your whole work team here.

In front of you all, I'll drop my pants.

Gu Yanshan,

you hoodlum.

What an old bachelor you are.

You want to take off your pants?

Fine.

Go ahead then.

I'll call the whole town to a meeting,

and let you take off your pants in front of everyone.

What else can I do?

I was wounded at war.

I...

I just can not. I'm impotent.

Old Gu,

sit.

Sit down.

Even if you've not had an affair with Hu Yuyin,

Li Mangeng doesn't have the problem you said.

What is his relationship with Hu Yuyin?

You, Hu Yuyin, Li Mangeng,

and Qin Shutian,

are financially, politically and ideologically

closely involved with each other.

You four,

being inside and outside the party,

are controlling the politics and economy of Hibiscus.

You're in cahoots.

What?

In fact,

you're a clique.

Clique?

What?

My throat is not feeling comfortable.

Want to kill the work team head?

Who is the woman over there?

A relative of mine, she's here for a visit.

What class does she belong to?

Low class. Low class.

Any identification from the commune or the brigade?

Has she got a resident permit?

She's a relative for a short visit.

No need for a permit, right?

Without a permit, she can't stay here long.

Hibiscus Class Struggle Education Site

Uncle.

Are you looking for Old Gu?

He's taken into custody because of you.

Sister Mangeng, is Brother Mangeng at home?

I beg you.

Please stay away from him.

You've got him into trouble, and our whole family.

He's been sent to the county for a self-examination.

He went off with his bedding.

What about my husband?

Your husband?

He threatened to kill Li Guoxiang.

He's buried in the grave a month ago.

Guigui...

Guigui...

Where are you?

Answer me.

Your wife is here to see you.

Guigui...

Guigui...

Sister Hibiscus, Sister Hibiscus.

Stop calling.

Guigui can't answer you.

- Who are you? - It's me.

Are you a ghost or a man?

What should I say?

Sometimes a ghost, sometimes a man.

You...

I'm Qin Shutian, Crazy Qin.

Stay away from me. You rightist. The Five Categories.

Yuyin, listen to me.

You're been classified as a new rich peasant.

I'm a rich peasant,

a rich peasant selling rice beancurd.

You wretch.

Your fault.

At my wedding, why did you sing those songs

to spoil my luck?

End of Part One

Long live Chairman Mao...

It's Li Guoxiang.

Stand still. Stand still.

Young Generals. Young Generals.

Please listen to me.

It's a misunderstanding.

Isn't she stubborn? Hang the worn out shoes on her.

Don't take them off.

Put them on.

Put them on.

Come here. The rain is heavy now.

Let's go.

You two, come here.

Crazy Qin, come here.

Rich peasant, you're not allowed to seek shelter there.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Come and stand next to her. Come here.

Serves you right.

Don't lump me together with the Five Categories.

I've never been a rightist.

Young Generals, comrades in arms.

As general of the people's commune, I was...

Stop the bullshit. Give it to me.

I've been working very hard in Hibiscus Town

to reap a harvest of this movement.

Come on.

The men's stuff on your bed is your real harvest.

I'm a leftist.

Come in and sit. Come on.

Have a seat.

I'm a leftist.

Have some water.

Have some water.

Secretary Wang.

The beginning of Cultural Revolution

is marked in Hibiscus Town.

A time has come for poor and lower-middle peasants.

I'm a hired peasant.

We were exploited by capitalism in the old days.

What? Capitalism?

China was not capitalist before Liberation.

We were oppressed by reactionaries.

I know that.

The rain stopped.

Li Guoxiang, you'll be in the same group

with the rich peasant Hu Yuyin.

Be obedient. It's a movement. You're familiar with it.

Crazy Qin. Summon the Five Categories in the whole town.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Young Generals, let's go to my house.

Be obedient.

Slut.

You may use this one.

I can make a new one for you later.

Learn to use it.

You are a reactionary rightist.

You are a human being too.

Let's go.

Secretary Wang?

Secretary Wang?

Come in.

You asked for me. What is it?

The Red Guards from Beijing

gave me these materials as a reference.

There are different forms of movement.

These are documents to overthrow Liu Shaoqi.

Write a big character poster.

Just write. Overthrow Li Guoxiang.

She'll be done for.

Because her uncle is a county secretary,

she became director of the commune.

Shall I be secretary of the People's Commune?

You never know.

You did it very well.

By handing in Hu Yuyin's 1500 yuan,

you've kept your party membership.

But Gu Yanshan is nothing but a confirmed drunkard.

You've been an assistant secretary for two years now.

Movement. You don't know movement.

Movement is good.

When I am secretary of the County Committee,

I'll make you secretary of the Town Committee.

When I come back for an inspection,

don't throw me off the scent.

What nice food are there in Hibiscus Town?

What local specialties are there? I have all the answers.

It's time to get up.

It's alright. Let me do it.

Secretary Li, another notice?

Secretary Wang is back.

Is that a big deal?

I'm glad sale of liquor is not banned.

Is sale of liquor banned?

It's banned.

Secretary Wang is back.

Secretary Wang has arrived.

You are back.

Secretary Wang, you had a rewarding trip.

- Of course it is. - You've been to Beijing.

You must be tired now.

Secretary Wang,

shall I give a report of the events when you were away?

Not now.

Arrange a mass meeting.

I'll share valuable experiences from other communes.

Rich experiences.

Enough for us to use for several lifetimes.

For several lifetimes?

There's one that I had never dreamed of.

What is it?

The whole country is dancing.

You must be tired. Have a drink.

Not tired at all.

They treated poor and lower-middle peasants very well.

By trains all the time.

Special carriages.

- Special carriage? What is it? - Is it a special dance?

How naive you are.

In the mass meeting later, I'll show how to dance.

You all have to learn.

Action speaks louder.

Shall we ask Secretary Wang to show us now?

Come on.

Stop laughing.

This is something serious.

Manager Li, you're back.

What's wrong, Secretary Li?

I was going to give a report.

What's wrong? What's Li Guoxiang doing here?

Movements have their ups and downs.

Li Guoxiang's case is made clear by the higher-ups.

She's in the County Committee now,

as a standing member of the revolutionary committee.

And...

And what?

Chairman of the Revolutionary Committee of the People's Commune.

Like what she did before,

she's back in Hibiscus Town for revolutionary activities.

Idiot. Idiot. Idiot.

Idiot. Idiot.

I still live in the same place.

We'll visit you later.

I don't want to see anybody.

We have to do some study.

Pay particular attention to the movement in Hibiscus Town.

We have to change the situation.

It's time to get up.

You're up so early today.

Crazy Qin.

Don't come to wake me up anymore.

I... I...

My whole life is made... is made...

What song was that?

Why did you sing that song at my wedding?

Your song is anti-society.

You're a ghost.

You've become a ghost.

I didn't know the harm of it.

But why did you write that?

Why did you write an anti-society couplet to harm us?

Guigui is dead.

I'm like a ghost as well.

When the day breaks, ghosts will not show.

Is Chairman Li at home?

No.

Where is she now?

Busy with her revolutionary work.

I've got a revolutionary report for her.

Listen to me.

Chairman Li is very busy over there.

When you see her, don't tell her I told you.

Go on. Go on then.

Did I tell you not to interrupt?

It's me, Chairman Li.

No one is exempted.

I'm here to report the events in the town.

I'm Wang Qiushe.

I'm very busy now.

Did you see her?

Yeah. Yeah.

No, Chairman Li is very busy.

You should have washed your clothes,

before you came to see her.

Can you take the kids to sleep first?

Are you deaf? Can't you hear me at all?

You would act soon in front of somebody.

Very obedient.

Can you stop being so annoying?

I need some quietness at home.

I invited Old Gu.

He's better than Wang Qiushe and Li Guoxiang.

Old Gu.

Sister Mangeng.

Secretary Li, where's the energy you have during the day?

Where is the vat of liquor? Get it out.

What a drunkard!

It's wrong to hide anything personal.

Even sinful.

Selfishness and revisionism should be combated.

Old Gu, I wish I could live like you do.

Live like I do? That's a bit difficult.

You should have a heart.

Yuyin...

Yuyin...

Yuyin...

Yuyin...

Yuyin.

Yuyin, you're seriously ill.

In Hibiscus Town, there's only one young widow.

Can't you see that?

I made a clear break with her long ago.

What a fool I am.

You're a fool?

The party wouldn't allow me to be with her.

You're not a fool.

I'm not drunk.

You gave Hu Yuyin's money to the work team.

You added insult to her injury. You don't have a heart.

Please don't mention her name.

I insist. Do you know you're killing her that way.

I didn't want to.

They kept me there for two days and two nights.

They threatened...

to expel me from the party.

I can't lose my party membership.

I have a wife and three kids.

I had to grit my teeth.

Whenever I think of Yuyin, my heart would ache.

It would ache.

She's been treated like a criminal now. [t's so unfair.

Old Gu,

please don't mention her name anymore.

Please don't.

Come on. Cheers.

Yuyin.

Yuyin, come on.

Have something warm.

Don't come here.

Have something warm.

I don't want you to come.

I would rather die.

Don't say that.

We have to take care of ourselves.

Your heart is not completely black.

You still have feelings.

Cheers.

It's over.

It's over.

It's over.

It's over.

It's over.

It's not over.

It's over.

It's not over.

It's over.

It's not. It's not over. It's not over.

It's not over.

It's not over.

It's over.

It's not over.

It's not over.

Don't be afraid.

Don't be afraid. It's Old Gu.

It's not over.

There's no end to a man's desires.

If you have guts,

get out.

Get out.

Get out.

Get out.

I'll kill all of you.

All of you.

It's over.

It's over.

Yuyin,

I have to go.

Lie down.

Have some sleep.

Tomorrow, don't get up.

I can sweep the streets.

I'll bring you something to eat.

Have a good sleep.

I have to go.

Who is it?

You?

It's so late...

Chairman Li, I'm here to report something.

Chairman Li must be very tired.

It's snowing now.

You're just back from the county. Is the road slippery?

Talking about the new trends...

What do you want to tell me?

I'd like to tell you about the class struggle in Hibiscus Town.

Actually I want to admit my mistakes.

Secretary Wang, you're being so polite.

What mistakes have you made?

I was overthrown once.

Chairman Li, I...

I'm too stupid to size up the situation.

I just shouted slogans with everyone else.

I never blame anyone for speaking out.

I'm a piece of shit.

Have some self respect.

I certainly am.

You helped me so much

before I could join the party, be a party secretary,

and started riding high.

Shame on me. I forgot your kindness.

I've been spending my days with regrets.

You have a good memory. I can't remember it.

Let bygones be bygones.

Who cares whether you're spending your days with regrets.

Chairman Li, I know you're kind and forgiving.

That's why you dressed

differently today.

I did it on purpose

before I came here.

Chairman Li,

there are some new trends.

Last night, Gu Yanshan was cursing you when you were away.

He called you a bitch.

He also cursed the movement.

Old Wang.

Let's prevent people like Gu Yanshan from staging a come-back.

We have to regain our power in the town.

Do you know what I mean?

You're good.

Very good.

Sit down. Sit down.

Cheers.

Old Wang.

Old Wang.

If you can pass my tests during the movement,

I would like you to be deputy chairman.

Chairman Li, I'm sorry for what I did.

Chairman Li.

I'm so sorry for what I did.

From now on, I... I promise...

I promise to be loyal to you only.

You forgot to wash your neck.

Who is it?

Wang Qiushe.

Rice beancurd?

Enjoy it.

You're fully recovered now?

Then I shall leave soon.

Don't.

Eat before it gets cold.

You eat first.

I want to visit Guigui's grave again.

Okay.

Actually, I think sweeping streets

is nothing to be ashamed of.

It depends on how you do it.

I'll show you.

One, two, three; two, two, three; three, two, three;

I don't know how to do it.

You can learn it. Come on.

One, two, three, that's right.

Two, two, three. Good. Three, two, three...

Right. Very clever. That's right.

Go on then.

Come here.

What is it?

Come here.

Secretary Wang, thank you. Thank you.

This is when I was four.

I was twelve.

I was nineteen.

This was taken when my ensemble won a prize.

Never took any photo after that.

Look.

This is my mother,

your mother in law.

This is my father, your father in law.

What's wrong? What's wrong?

What's the matter?

We have a baby.

Really? Really?

Yuyin...

Sit over there.

Let's get married, Yuyin.

Who are we? Will they allow us?

We didn't commit any crime...

Quiet.

We didn't commit any crime that forbids us from getting married.

Is there a rule that says the Five Categories can't marry?

Brother Shutian.

Someone is here.

Are you tired?

Lie down for a while.

You want to get married with the rich peasant Hu Yuyin?

Yes. Secretary Wang, you're right.

Have you been having it off with her?

Secretary Li,

nothing can be hidden from you.

- Shut up. - Yes. Yes. I'll shut up.

When did this start?

I can't remember it anymore.

I'll be honest. I'll be honest.

The higher-ups told us to sweep the streets.

I'm a bachelor and she is a widow.

Gradually we felt drawn to each other.

How many times have you laid her?

I'd never dare,

not without the higher-ups' permission.

We're dating.

- Dating? - Yes. Yes. Yes.

You are two targets of dictatorship,

and two of the Five Categories. Forget about it.

Secretary Wang,

however bad or evil we are,

we're still human beings.

Even if we were cock and hen,

barrow and gilt; dog and bitch,

who could stop us from mating?

Crazy Qin, Crazy Qin.

Don't put it that way. You confessed your mistake.

So I have to be lenient.

We'll discuss it before we send it to the commune for approval.

But I don't know when we can get a reply.

Secretary Wang,

thank you very much for your help. Thank you.

One word of yours for us will help.

Actually we've already...

What?

We've already had it.

Two class enemies having it off on the sly.

Piss off.

Find someone to write a couplet on white paper.

You put it up on your door.

A couplet on white paper? It's ill luck.

What's going on?

White couplet.

Secretary Wang asked him to do it.

A black couple. A ghost house.

This is ill luck.

People do it when someone is dead.

What's the matter?

Don't cry.

Not a bad thing. Don't cry.

To understand the intentions of higher-ups,

you just have to act accordingly.

We're called a black couple, right?

A black couple, a red couple, a white couple, whatever, it's a couple.

The couplet from the brigade

is actually telling the public

that we are husband and wife.

I'll take a look.

It's alright.

Who is it?

Open the door.

Wedding without a matchmaker shouldn't count.

I spotted you coming and going on the sly,

buying wine and fish.

I think...

I must come for a drink at your wedding.

No one else would have the guts to come.

The matchmaker I am

is a pretend one.

The real matchmaker

is the broom you use and stories on the streets.

This sweet red wine is for a loving couple like you two.

I'll have liquor.

I've brought you a present.

Hopefully you'll like it.

Whenever there's a wedding in the town,

I would bring a present like this.

I hope you're going to have a child soon.

Since you are a couple now.

A black couple or red couple, whatever it's called,

you should have offspring.

Manager Gu,

you must let me kneel to you.

Because of me and those rice seconds, you were framed.

You're a good cadre from the north.

If all cadres were like you, the society would be more peaceful.

In this life,

if I can't repay you, I would slave like an ox

to make it up to you in my next life.

Get up, get up.

Don't let it spoil our pleasure.

Come on, let's enjoy ourselves and drink.

Yunyin, stop crying.

It's your own wedding, sing a wedding song.

Old tradition.

Sing it. Sing it. Sing it.

Yuyin...

I'll sing.

How defiant they are to attack the proletarian dictatorship.

Seize him. Take him away.

Come on.

On behalf of the county's public security organs

and Military Control Commission, I'm here to announce

the rightist, counter-revolutionary scoundrel Qin Shutian

is sentenced to ten years in prison.

The counter-revolutionary rich peasant Hu Yuyin

is sentenced to three years in prison.

Since she's pregnant, she'll serve outside prison.

She has to labour under mass surveillance

before release.

The success is achieved by the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution.

They two has put us in a constant state of anxiety,

as unregenerate diehards and trouble makers.

Live on...

Live on like an animal.

Live on...

Live on like an animal.

Yuyin...

Manager Gu.

The baby is coming.

I'm thirty three,

a bit old for my first baby.

Stay with me, I'll be dead anyway.

My baby and I will be dead.

I'll be back soon.

Stop. Stop. Stop.

Your wife is not young. An obstructed labour.

She'll have to have a C-section.

Please sign.

For New China, let's march on.

For New China, let's march on.

He's a sailing ship

getting closer to the bank, whose mast tip is already visible.

He's the morning sun

running faster to show its radiance.

He's a baby growing maturer in his mother's womb.

Let's raise our hands and welcome him.

So cute.

What name are you going to give your son?

Gu Jun.

Jun?

The Jun for army.

Gu Jun.

Comrade Hu Yuyin, sit down. Sit down.

According central and provincial government policies,

the City Committee and County Committee

have decided to do something for you.

Your new house over there is back to you again.

And that 1500 yuan as well.

Do you have any other requirements?

You'll give me back my house.

You'll give me back my money.

But I want you to give me back my husband.

Give me back my husband.

Give me back my husband.

Give me back my husband.

Little Gao,

I had worked in Hibiscus Town for years.

I've heard it. Several years ago.

Great wits have short memories. Still very busy?

Qin... Qin Shutian?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Qin Shutian.

Crazy Qin is my nickname.

I am a street sweeper

and actually a very good one.

During cultural revolution, I got married.

My wife is Hu Yuyin.

Comrade Qin Shutian,

life must have been very difficult for you.

Comrade Qin Shutian?

Not pleasing to my ears.

I signed it before you were rehabilitated.

Yes. A standard procedure. You're part of it.

Chairman Li, it's time to go.

It's all past now.

Maybe I can help you in some way.

Are you still single?

I'm about to get married in the provincial capital.

Oh, good.

Start your own family.

Learn to live like an ordinary woman.

Don't hang out with them all the time.

Their life is sometimes easy, sometimes not easy.

- Who is he? - I don't know.

Jun, why don't you go home?

Your father is back. Your father is back.

Mom. Mom.

- What is it? - He's back.

Who is back?

He's back.

He is finally back.

Stupid Jun.

Why are you still here? Get in.

Mom.

Jun,

this is your father.

Why didn't you come back earlier?

Two bowls of rice beancurd please.

Yuyin...

Coming.

Hello.

Nice to see you again.

Old Gu, more soup for you.

Very nice. Do we have to pay for extra soup?

Not at all.

It's like 15 years ago.

No extra charges. We like that.

The rice beancurd you make is getting better.

My wife taught me well.

Excuse me, do you have a trading license?

Trading license.

- Mangeng is here. - Brother Mangeng.

- Jun. - Grandma.

Yuyin, don't give too much work to Shutian.

I won't.

What is it?

He told me not to give you too much work.

He's absolutely right.

Shutian, some higher-up has talked to the town leader.

You can go back to your old career now.

Deputy head of the county's cultural centre.

Shutian, congratulatioins. I knew that...

Sit down. Sit down.

That's twenty years ago.

I've forgotten it already. Can't do it.

What's wrong? You have been rehabilitated.

Since you're reinstated now, you're still an upright man.

I'm an upright man when I am with Hu Yuyin.

A ghost before dating her.

Old Gu...

Mangeng,

the streets are not swept as well as I did.

The gaps between paving slabs are familiar to me.

What about this?

In the future, let me sweep the streets.

I won't leave.

Time for a movement.

Time for a movement.

Don't be afraid. It's alright.

Time for a movement.

Wang Qiushe has become crazy like this?

The world is certainly inconceivable.

The crazy one is not crazy, the uncrazy one is now crazy.

Thanks to the movement.

Go away, or I'll beat you. Piss off.

Yuyin,

get him a bowl of rice beancurd. We'll lack nothing.

Time for a movement.

It's time for a movement. It's time for a movement.

If the world is not changing in the right way,

he'll probably be right in saying that.

See you after dinner, we'll have a movement.

Time for a movement.

Time for a movement.

Time for a movement.

Time for a movement.

Time for a movement.

The End