Original subtitles

Father.

When you die,

Will your spirit return too?

Yes.

My body and spirit will return to the soil.

To be reborn.

Father, are you dying?

Yes.

Good morning.

Just one today?

It's enough.

We can settle later. -Alright.

How many today? - I'll take two.

My son got Denggi fever.

Denggi?

Boil this in a soup and let him drink it.

Get him to drink more water.

Help!

What's up.

I saved an old woman.

She was stuck in the mud.

You're so nice, aren't you?

Hey, when are we getting married?

Um, tomorrow?

That's not funny.

Here.

Here, I kept the fattest ones for you.

Gan said if I ate too many of these l'll look like a frog.

Do I look like a frog?

A little.

My sister called me the other day.

What did she want?

She said she's making a lot of money.

They just moved into a new house.

She's buying a lot of branded stuff.

That's good for her.

Well if you go to Singapore to work it's always better.

Hey what about us? When are we getting married?

When you have enough money.

How much money?

$50,000.

That's a lot of money. - No it's not!

Uncle!

My father asks if you can lend us some kerosene.

Our goats all died this morning,

And father said it's not good to leave any dead animals on Cheng Ming.

I'll check.

It's been raining lately. Can't get the wood burning.

You don't look so well.

I am not so well.

Maybe you shouldn't go out to sea that much.

It's not that.

Lately I have been having many dreams.

It's the same dream I had when I was younger.

I'm climbing up a hill, Ai Ling's on top waiting for me.

But when I reach the top, she pushes me down the hill.

Ai Ling would never push me down. She wouldn't.

The goats the chickens were running around all yesterday, making a lot of noise.

I thought the kids were throwing stones at them.

And then this morning I woke up it was all quiet.

Are there still fish in the river?

A few.

That's good.

It's nothing to worry about.

You're becoming older now,

Your destiny line is changing, it's nothing unusual.

Even if something bad happens to you, something good will happen too.

We were on our way to Tanjung Karang to visit Su Lin's grandparents.

We wanted to stop by here first to thank your son,

for saving my wife yesterday.

Would you like some?

Su Ling made this herself. She cooks very well.

Maybe next time you can come over for dinner and Su Lin will cook for you.

That would be nice.

Ah Fei, how much do you make a month selling frogs?

$700-$800. - Is it enough for the both of you?

I still go out to sea.

Have you tried farming the frogs yourself?.

I tried but they all died.

It's not easy if you don't have the right climate.

The soil and mud here are perfect for cockles. It is God's gift to us here.

No matter how much we catch, there will always be more.

Father, we shouldn't bother them for so long, they must be busy.

Sometime when you're free please come to my factory for a visit.

Fei, how come you only give Lili free frogs, what about me?

I only have two left. I'll bring over some next time.

I'm sick of eating fish everyday. You should think of my situation too.

Liang, tell him what place you got in your story-telling contest!

Come, tell him the story you told.

Let's go.

You tell mom your story again.

Once upon a time there was a little pig...

How come Wai Loon isn't working today?

He was supposed to, but his job got postponed, so he's free.

You don't mind he's coming right?

Hui.

Hey, wake up.

How are you? Fine.

Are you here to sell me back my boat?

No. I still need it.

You told me I was going to die seven years ago. That's why I sold you my boat!

I only told you what I saw on your palm.

I don't like my new boat. It' not lucky. I like my old one better.

I'm not here about that...

Hui, I need you to drive me to Ai Ling's house.

What happened to your car?

It broke a while ago.

Why do you want to see her again?

I don't have much time left.

Knowing you, you'll still be alive in seven years!

Ah kan, when you told me I was going to die, I was actually glad.

I've been going out to sea for more than 50 years...

I'm tired of looking at the water everyday. It gets to you.

Ai Ling.

It's been a long time.

You're finally here to visit me.

Come on in, I'm making porridge.

Where's Ping Ho?

If he's not playing mahjong, he's drinking.

Have you brought me something?

I'm giving these things back to you.

How many times have we met in the last 30 years?

I don't remember. Maybe five or six times?

Do you think it was all worth it?

I don't know.

I've waited halfmy life for those moments.

I've loved you since as long as I could remember.

I don't know if I still love you now,

But I felt it in my heart for a very long time.

I liked you too.

I thought if your husband died we could've lived together.

But he's strong.

You'll die before he does.

I wrote this when I was younger.

Do you remember that time we took a bus to the city and someone stole your purse?

I should've asked you to marry me then.

It's too late now.

I was too old for you then.

Come on in.

I'll teach you.

I don't want to learn.

Lili, you got to come in!

No, I can't swim.

How come you can't swim, you live by the sea!

It's his fault.

When we were young, he took me out to sea to swim,

But he just went to play on his own, didn't even look out for me.

So I got swept by a wave and almost drowned.

Then what happened?

Pak Lan had to come save me from his boat.

Ah... but this isn't the sea.

The water here is magic.

You drink it it'll cure any ailments you have.

I swear it's true! Come on in and get it over with!

I don't want to!

I'm going to send this to the shop. Will you stay for dinner?

No, I'll leave. I'll go see Ping Ho.

Tell him don't bother coming home if he continues to drink.

How are you old dog?

Not so good. And you?

Not so good. You got any work for me?

No.

I'm still strong, I can work.

You're a drunk and a lousy worker.

You came here to see my wife?

She's old and useless. She won't cook for me anymore.

I don't mind but she won't go with me.

You're old and useless too.

Are you crying?

Why?

If I can get the money... will you marry me?

What about Wai Loon?

Is he your boyfriend?

But if I get it, will you marry me?

How will you get it?

I'll find a way.

You're crazy.

I found these stones by the river. They look special.

Mr. Lee.

Ah Fei, how's business?

Good.

Did you leave any for me?

How many do you want? Five.

I have three. -That's fine.

Would you like to come to my cockle factory today?

Ok.

I'll ride my bike over afterwards. - I'll ride my bike over afterwards.

Just get into the car, I'll send you back later.

Would you like some pork buns?

My hands are dirty.

Su Lin has always been a good girl.

She had an accident when she was younger and half her face became numb.

She's recovered fully now.

She's very good at catching cockles.

Just go with her. Please let her take you out to the river banks.

Ok?

Ok.

Su Lin, take Ah Fei to the banks and show him how we work here.

You can take a shower. I'll get you a clean shirt.

I need to go.

But my mom has already cooked.

Why don't you eat first before leaving.

Ok.

Hey, you're late!

I got a new job.

I'm going to make more money now.

You really like me huh.

Do you want to have dinner with me?

I already ate.

I need to look for my father.

He didn't come home last night.

Again?

One day he's just going to disappear.

Hey, let me ask you something.

If I asked you to write me a poem, would you?

What kind of poem?

Any kind, a love poem.

I don't know if I can write a poem.

I know it's not easy...

It's nice to get one though.

Ok, I'll try.

Father.

I fell asleep.

You can sleep, I'll tow the boat back for you.

Father, how are you feeling?

I couldn't sleep all night

Do you want me to call Pak Lan to get you some medicine?

I'll be fine.

Ah Fei.

Fei, my father said if we get married,

He'll let you run the company, and he'll build a house for us.

I already have a girlfriend.

You're here again.

I'm in pain.

Do you feel pain because of me?

I think so.

I've felt it a long time.

Before this pain, I had another life.

What does it feel like?

What?

What does the pain feel like?

It's like a cold wind...

blowing constantly in my head.

It never stops.

You've never felt it?

It makes no difference if I have or not. It won't change anything.

I came here to take you away.

If you want to come, meet me at the old jetty before dawn.

I have work to do.

I'll be waiting for you there.

Iknow you'll wake up before the sun rises.

When you wake, you'll know I'll be waiting foryou.

I won't come.

Keong.

Keong.

Mother, why are you awake so early?

I need you to drive me to the jetty.

Why do you want to go there this time of day?

Just send me there please.

How's Ming Hui's schooling?

She's fine. Just finished exams.

I'm sorry about her ear. I really didn't think it would be so bad.

It's alright mom. She doesn't even remember it anymore.

When I was little my mother poured hot wax in my ear if I had a fever.

Nothing ever happened to me.

I don't know why you want to go to the jetty now.

What happened to them?

They died. I'm selling them at half price.

I that case give me four more.

Why are you always coming here to disturb her?

I help out too.

You create a mess.

Why are you smiling? What's to smile about?

She's gone out.

You can leave the frogs here for her.

Is there any for me?

You can have this.

Good on you.

You eaten?

There's a little left, you want it?

It's ok. I have to go.

You weren't at work today.

I don't feel so well.

Why don't you rest at home?

It's cooling here.

Do you want me to send you to the clinic?

No, it's ok.

Let's go fishing.

It's so quiet.

It's too bad there are no more fireflies.

Are you alright?

You have a fever.

Are you sure you don't want to see a doctor?

I'm tired.

'Regret'

My frogs all died suddenly.

Did you poison my frogs?

Did you come to my house and poison my frogs?

Did you come to my house and poison my frogs?

Why would I do something like that?

My neighbor said she saw someone walking past the house a few nights ago.

Why would I do something like that?

Why would I do something like that?

You still dare to come here?

We all had food poisoning from those frogs you gave us.

My whole family vomited and purged all day.

Liang was supposed to enter his school's Malay story-telling competition.

Because of this he couldn't join the competition.

The neighbor's daughter got first prize. She's not even good in Malay!

Liang would've gotten first if he didn't eat your rotten frogs!

Lili's father is really upset with you. You better not see her again.

Ok, it was me.

I poisoned your frogs.

I poured some fertilizer on them.

It's not your fault. It's my fault.

Do you feel better now?

Look I just cut my hair 'Aaron Kwok' style. Looks good right?

It's like that character he played in that detective movie...

Don't think it looks alike. lt doesn't look nice.

You see... it looks cool...

I read in the paper that he broke up with his girlfriend...

Didn't it say he was going to marry some other girl?

Who's the girl? What's her name again...

Thursday... Drawing...

And this? Drawing what...

Drawing competition... -You're missing one word...

This one? -Yes... See what you wrote here...

National day drawing competition... School organization...

You forgot something... This one...

Tide's coming in.

You were at your new job?

How's your mother's health?

She's getting better. Coughing a little.

You don't come to see me at work anymore.

You know I finish work now at 6pm.

You remember you said you'd write a poem for me...

I haven't had time...

Hey you want to do something tonight? I can drive us.

So you'll come?

Tomorrow, ok?

We can go to the store.

To have coffee.

You want to have coffee at night?

I just want to see you...

Ok?

Ok, I'm done.

What do you want to do now?

Let's get something to eat.

Tell you a bizarre story.

It's about Ming.

Last week we were making a delivery in our truck.

So we were driving along the road,

And then all of a sudden Ming started to sing aloud.

I didn't know he sings.

He never sings!

The thing is he's singing in some weird language!

God knows what song he's singing. It freaked me out.

It was still dark on the road and there was no one around.

I thought maybe he got possessed or something.

So I called Pak Lan, and asked for help.

He said, 'No big deal, just get an onion and rub it on his head.'

What's an onion going to do?

I guess the smell or something can ward off the spirit.

But we were delivering fish, not vegetables. Where was I going to find an onion?

So after traveling for a while, I saw a house by the roadside.

I asked the owner for an onion, and luckily she had some.

Then I got back into the truck and started rubbing Ming's face with the onion.

Ming went berserk; he started screaming and making weird noises.

And then there was a knocking sound on the ceiling of the truck. - What sound was it?

I didn't know, but I remembered whenever Pak Lan performed an exorcism,

He always removed one of his zinc roofs, to let the spirit fly away.

What're you doing here?

I don't understand.

Don't you still like me?

I don't know.

How can you change your mind so quickly?

I really don't know.

I'm not angry about the frogs.

I recovered, didn't I?

I'm happy you're fine now.

Do you still want to marry me?

How can you change your mind so easily?

You said you wanted to marry me.

I know I said it.

How can you change your mind?

I just don't understand.

You come here to work, but you cry all day.

Liang, go have lunch.

Do you want me to drive you home?

So the loan shark came to my house.

They said we owed them a lot of money.

Why did you open the door if you knew it was them?

I said my dad wasn't home.

They told us they were going to kill us if we don't pay them...

They're calling to threaten us everyday now.

So my mom's crying now... Everyday she's crying.

Lili, have you listened to Myanmar songs?

What songs? - Myanmar songs.

No, I haven't.

If you want to I have some. - Where?

In your room? -Yep.

I'll show you. Come.

Come on in.

I don't understand.

How can you... change just like that?

I just don't understand.

What's your favorite color?

White.

And you? Green.

Why aren't you wearing a green shirt?

My mom didn't buy me any green shirts.

You've come back to me.