Original subtitles

Who are you?

We're with the opera troupe.

Oh, I didn't recognise you!

I'm a great fan of you both.

Is that so?

It's over twenty years since you've performed together, isn't it?

Twenty-one.

Twenty-two.

Yes, twenty-two years.

And it's been ten since we last saw each other.

Eleven. Eleven years.

That's right, eleven years. Yes.

I see, it's the fault of the Gang of Four.

Isn't everything?

Things are better now.

That's for sure.

Everything's fine now.

Please wait here a moment. I'll go and turn on the lights.

Sorry to put you to so much trouble.

FAREWELL TO MY CONCUBINE

1924 - PEKING - THE WARLORD ERA

Hey, Yanhong, is that you?

It's been ages. I've been missing you badly.

Slut!

Ladies and gentlemen, the show is about to begin!

Laizi is running away again.

Brat! See how far you get.

Quick, go catch him!

Gentlemen, please be patient.

Sir, sir, do forgive us.

Trash! How dare you show your goddamn faces around here?

Fuck you all!

Don't anyone move. You'll get your money's worth!

Just as sure as my name is Shitou, I'll give you something to look at.

What are you screaming for?

I haven't even said hello yet!

You're a bullshit artist. You can't even play a goddamn monkey.

What are you going to do with your life?

You thought you'd get away with that brick act, did you?

It's garbage.

I told you to run, didn't I? Run!

Bring your knives for sharpening! Sharpen your knives!

This child isn't fated to be an actor. Take him home.

Think of it, he'd scare off the audience!

Sharpen your knives!

It's not that I can't afford to raise him,

but he's getting too big to keep at the brothel.

Help me. Please take him.

If only you'll take him, you can do anything you like.

Don't look down on us.

How could I? We're all equally despised by society.

But if there's no job for him, what can I do?

Ma, my hands are cold. The water's all turned to ice!

Ma!

Get away from us, you son of a whore!

It's from the whorehouse! Drop it on the floor!

It's freezing!

Are you bullying him?

Come over here. Sleep with me!

You're really something!

Laizi, go snuggle up with the Little Monk.

Catch!

It's so cold outside!

My piss froze on the tip of my dick.

I nearly turned a somersault!

If you belong to the human race, you go to the opera.

If you don't go to the opera, you're not a human being.

Pigs and dogs don't listen to opera.

And are they human? They're beasts!

And where there's opera, there's work for us actors!

- Stop squealing! - I'm not!

Straighten that back!

If you think you're above everyone else, you'll learn the hard way.

This is just the beginning, wait till you see what's in store!

Don't worry, Douzi. They burned a whole stick of incense before I quit.

Just keep at it.

Shitou,

who are you helping to cheat?

But Master, I was looking up. I didn't notice what was on the floor.

Bullshit. Get my sword.

And hurry up!

Master!

Get up!

So that's it? Don't you have something to say?

Yes. ''Forming cliques is prohibited and will be punished.''

I'm not fucking scared of anything.

From the time opera began,

it's never enjoyed such popularity as it does today!

You're lucky to be part of it!

For sure!

Heaven's will, not a lack of soldierly skill, has doomed my kingdom.

My little man, I've been practising the Taoist ''kung fu of fire''.

It's cool outside, quite cool.

But I've become a man of fire. Get away from me.

I am so strong I can uproot the mountains

My courage is renowned

I've fallen on bad times, yet even my horse won't run away to save itself

These are our rules, we must learn them well.

From ancient times, man has needed a skill.

Having chosen this one, devote ourselves we will.

In youthful striving lies the foundations for future fame.

Now go off and practise!

Let's hear ''Fleeing by Night''.

I look back at the Celestial Court, and hurry onwards in flight...

Heedless of... heedless of...

Heedless of what?

Heedless of loyalty and filial piety!

I am so strong I can uproot the mountains

My courage is renowned

I've fallen on bad times, yet even my horse won't run away to save itself

If it won't run away, what can I do?

And my beloved concubine, what shall I do about her?

Excellent, not a word out of place.

Give me your hand.

This is so you'll remember to do as well next time.

At sixteen I am a nun, my hair shorn at youth's prime

Go on.

I am by nature a boy...

I am by nature a boy...

You are by nature a girl!

Can't you see you're wrong!

I'll punish you, Laizi!

You still can't get it right, can you?

Don't hit me! I won't do it again!

Sing ''Dreaming of the World Outside the Nunnery''.

I am... I am by nature...

Spit it out!

I am by nature a boy...

Is a nun male or female?

A boy.

You really are in character. You can't even tell male from female.

I... I... I am by nature a boy

You've forgotten everything the master has taught you!

Do it again, and I'll beat you to within an inch of your life.

Wrong! Wrong!

You'd better remember this.

If by chance I'm beaten to death tomorrow,

I want you to have the three copper coins hidden under my mattress.

Careful!

Don't let it touch the water. If you ruin your hand, forget acting.

Douzi, in a few days, you'll be initiated into the troupe.

You can think of yourself as a girl, just don't stuff up the lyrics again.

Laizi, have you ever eaten sweet pea cakes?

What's the big deal about sweet pea cakes?

Have you ever had ''Thrashing Donkey'' millet rolls?

''Basin cakes''?

They're about as fucking special as dog farts.

So what do you like?

There's nothing yummier than a stick of candied crab-apples.

If I make it big, I'll eat candied crab-apples every day for dinner.

Candied crab-apples for sale!

Don't look at us like that, we're not a stick of candied crab-apples!

Laizi, you're drooling!

What the hell are you doing? Get back here.

Wow, such big kites, and so many of them!

Come back!

Douzi!

Run for it!

Hold it right there!

Douzi!

Don't forget the copper cash under my mattress.

You're worthless. Get out of my sight!

- Where'd you get that? - I bought it with your three copper coins.

Stuff Shitou, I'm spending your money now.

Ten apples on each stick. I'll give you two. How about it?

What's with you?

I have to pee real bad.

You can't do it in the middle of the street. Come on!

It's Manager Wang!

The stars have arrived! Here, come this way.

Oh, my dear sir, this is indeed like a visitation from heaven!

All you need do is sneeze and you get a standing ovation.

We've put you to so much trouble.

It'll be pure luck if no one is trampled to death in there!

I'll sit on your shoulders for a while, then you sit on mine.

It's the king!

What does it take to become a star?

How many beatings?

When will we ever enjoy such fame?

What's this? You're pissing all over my face!

What the hell are you doing?

I knew you'd want to go back.

You couldn't live without Shitou!

You're going to get a taste of the sword. Personally, I'm not afraid.

I've been beaten so much I'm tough as nails,

it's like having an itch scratched.

I've eaten my candied crab-apples. I'm a fucking star already!

Who the hell do I have to be afraid of?

You little scamps, you've come back after all.

Good! I deserve it!

Why the hell did you let them go?

I've had it with you!

Skipping class and running away must be punished!

Master, I'll never do it again.

Please let me go!

I wouldn't dare do it again, Master. I was wrong.

Who told you to let them go? I'll kill you!

Master, it was me who ran away. He didn't have anything to do with it.

Beat me instead!

Did you think you wouldn't get yours? I'll kill you.

Douzi, speak! Say something!

Beg for mercy! Say he's beaten you well and truly!

I'll kill you! Run away, will you?

Speak!

I'll beat you to death if I must. Let's just disband the troupe...

You're killing Douzi!

I won't let you do this!

Master Guan! Something terrible has happened!

Laizi, he...

''Farewell My Concubine''

tells the story of the struggle between the Chu and Han kings.

What sort of man was the King Of Chu?

A peerless and invincible hero,

a bold and resourceful general capable of defeating vast armies.

But fate wasn't on his side.

At Gaixia he fell into an ambush set by the Han king, Liu Bang.

A great wind blew up on that night.

Liu Bang's troops sang the songs of the kingdom of Chu all night long.

The Chu warriors assumed Liu Bang already occupied their homeland.

In a great panic, they fled.

Even the king was weeping.

No matter how resourceful you are,

you can't fight fate.

The king had once been all-powerful,

but in the end all he had left was one woman and one horse.

He tried to get his steed to run away, but it wouldn't go.

He wanted his concubine to flee, but she stayed too.

For the very last time, Concubine Yu poured wine for her king

and danced for him with a sword,

then cut her throat with it, faithful to the king unto death.

There's a lesson in this story for all of us

that each person is responsible for his or her own fate.

I am so strong I can uproot the mountains

My courage is renowned

I've fallen on bad times

Yet even my horse won't run away to save itself

Old Man Zhang has commissioned you to hire an opera troupe.

You're like a fairy godmother to us.

With your patronage, the children will have new clothes to wear in the New Year.

New clothes are not a problem. The opera, however, is no simple matter.

When he was a palace eunuch,

Old Man Zhang attended operas with the Empress Dowager herself.

So you can't put anything over on him. Not that anyone would try!

You realise that if this little number doesn't make the grade,

I could lose a lot of face, but that's nothing.

He could have you locked up!

This kid's got something.

How many years has he been in training?

Douzi, come here and pay your respects.

He's got a nice little figure, too.

Can you sing any old-style operas?

Yes, two.

''Dreaming of the World Outside the Nunnery'' is the hardest female role.

Let's hear a bit of it.

At sixteen I am a nun

My hair shorn at youth's prime

Yet I am by nature a boy

Not a girl

Why...

Mr Na, I am truly sorry! He's usually very good.

Master Guan, I'll see you some other time.

Who told you to come back here? You screwed up bad!

Open your mouth. Open it!

You've stuffed it up!

You've stuffed it up! Stuffed it up!

Come here!

I am by nature a girl, not a boy...

At sixteen I am a nun

My hair shorn at youth's prime

Yet I am by nature a girl, not a boy

Why must I wear these sexless robes? I see the joyful couples pass

In their splendid brocades. Despite myself, desire burns in my heart

And I rend my Buddhist gown!

For year upon year, all over the land

I've followed my king on his military campaigns

Enduring the wind

And frost and hard toil

I hate only

The lawless tyrant

Who has plunged our people into an abyss of misery!

This little boy...

Master Guan...

Mr Zhang, may you live as long as South Mountain.

The people have suffered

Untold hardship and pain

The King has returned to the camp!

Your Highness!

I've caused you

So much grief

This is a token of the old man's appreciation

- for the two young actors. - Yes, sir!

If the king had had this sword, he'd have wiped out Liu Bang ages ago!

If I were emperor, then you'd be queen of the palace.

I want you to have a sword like this.

Careful, my little man!

That's a real blade!

Don't run...

Here we are.

What's wrong?

It stings when the sweat gets into a scratch over my eye.

Aren't the two kids going in together?

No. It's an old rule around here.

Master Guan, if you don't understand, there's nothing I can say.

The concubine has to die one way or the other.

Isn't it so?

Master?

Douzi!

What year is this?

It's the 21st year of the Republic, 1932.

Wrong. It's the 24th year of Emperor Xuantong's rein.

Come over here.

I... I want Shitou.

I have to pee!

Do it in this. Aim in here.

You won't harm anything.

Come to me!

Douzi!

What's happened to you?

Say something!

Have you gone dumb?

Speak to me!

Douzi,

fate has determined each of our lots.

Leave him to his destiny.

All right, look at the camera!

You two young gentlemen have done grandly for yourselves.

You look so dignified, absolutely striking,

in any style of clothing.

That's it!

Oppose Japan's invasion of North China!

Damn! It's those students again.

1937 - ON THE EVE OF WAR WITH JAPAN

Down with Japanese imperialism! Death is preferable to enslavement!

Aren't those the two actors in the photograph?

Don't you know you're playing into the hands of the Japanese?

Yeah, how can you tart yourself up and sing opera at a time like this?

Don't you have the least bit of feeling for your country?

Take a good look. We're Chinese too. Chinese to the core!

Look at us, goddamn it!

That's right, that's right, we're all Chinese here!

Chinese mustn't fight among themselves!

We're all descended from the same ancestors!

And don't you forget it!

Every goddamn one of them thinks he's a super-patriot.

The Japanese soldiers aren't far away, they should go fight them.

Instead, they pick on fellow Chinese!

They're just looking for trouble. None of them have married yet,

and they've got no money to get any girls,

so they've got to let off steam somehow.

Their leader would make a good player of military roles!

Where was it that we first performed ''Farewell''?

You usually remember every silly little detail.

Oh, Mr Duan, I remember.

It was at the home of Old Man Zhang.

My good men, it was from there that your careers took off!

Dieyi, Zhang's home is now a coffin shop!

I went there just yesterday.

You were looking for that sword, weren't you?

It was probably sold off years ago.

Cheng Dieyi! Cheng Dieyi!

Candied crab-apples for sale!

There's a sea of awestruck people in there

craning their necks to catch a glimpse of their idols.

Master Yuan has come specially to see you perform tonight.

It's a great honour for us.

There'll be a slight delay!

Mr Duan...

The orchestra's been warming up for ages.

Please hurry!

I know. Let me first practise a few scales.

That way they'll know they'll be getting their money's worth.

Year after year, all over the land

I've followed my king on his military campaigns

Enduring the wind

And frost and hard toil

You judge...

has he not blurred the distinction between theatre and life...

- male and female? - I hate only the lawless tyrant

Who has plunged our people into an abyss of misery!

Your Highness!

I've caused you

So much grief

So, Master Yuan has come to see us tonight.

Didn't you hear me sing so loudly I drowned out the horns?

My face went red.

But I wanted him to know that without his patronage,

we'd still be the talk of the town here in Peiping.

You shouldn't exert yourself like that.

Don't worry.

At key moments, I squeezed my waist with my hands

so I wouldn't get out of breath.

- Here? - No.

Here?

Stop it!

Master Yuan!

It's an honour.

Your reputation turns out to be well-deserved.

You're very kind.

Please accept a small, rather slapdash token of my esteem.

I don't believe the Empress Dowager herself ever

bestowed such a gift upon her favourite actors.

If so, I'd never heard of it!

Master Yuan, how can our Dieyi be worthy of your favour?

''Farewell My Concubine'' has a long history.

It evolved from the old-style opera ''The Gold Strategy''.

Many famous actors have fallen down in this role.

Your evocation of the Concubine Yu lifts it into a higher realm.

Impressive.

For a moment or two,

this Yuan fellow was so entranced

he believed Concubine Yu had actually come back to life!

Mr Duan...

when the king returns to camp and meets Concubine Yu,

custom has it...

Yes, Master Yuan.

Custom has it he takes seven steps. Yet you take but five.

If the King of Chu fails to bear himself with majestic dignity,

he's little better than a gangster putting on airs!

Master Yuan, you are a master of the theatre arts.

You are expert in all the varieties and facets of opera.

Could we doubt your word?

Indeed, we are presumptuous to parade our meagre talents...

in the theatres of Peiping.

Please give us the benefit of your advice and criticism.

If it's not beneath you, I'd like to invite you

to my humble home for some wine.

There is so much still to be said about this opera.

I'm terribly sorry, Master Yuan,

I've another drinking engagement...

with a courtesan.

You have other refined entertainments planned!

Excellent!

And Mr Cheng?

Then we shall exchange poetic thoughts some other day.

I'll take my leave.

Take care, Master Yuan.

Dieyi, I'm off as well.

Caifeng, Jinyan, Lijun, Shuyuan, Qiuxiang... come entertain our guest.

Mr Duan, this way please.

We haven't seen you for a while, Mr Duan.

We've missed you.

I'd like to see Miss Juxian.

Ah, how shall I put it? You should have said something earlier.

She's not here at the moment.

She was asked out to dinner.

What to do? How about this...

We'll find you a good substitute.

Caifeng, come keep Mr Duan company!

I'll take my leave.

Tell me the truth.

Where is Juxian really?

Upstairs or... down?

The phoenix roosts on the highest branches of course!

But she's pretty high class. You reckon she'll go for you?

You said it!

I specialise in high class.

Oh, Miss Juxian...

- Bastards! - OK, we're bastards!

Go for it then. What are you waiting for?

Let's see if those guys don't just make mincemeat of you!

I'm really angry now!

We like it when you're angry!

Cut it out...

or I'll jump!

Jump! I'll follow on your heels.

Such a death would be ecstasy. I'd be a merry ghost.

If you die, we'll all die, and be the planks in your coffin.

Xiaolou!

These guys are revolting!

They were forcing me to drink wine from their mouths.

Come on, assholes. Jump!

This lady's done it. Now's your turn!

Bastards! Pack of fucking sissies!

All right, if we have to go down, let's go!

Oh, it's Mr Duan!

Listen,

we're all here to have a good time,

and we're all spending good money.

So let's not pick fights with each other.

Don't look for trouble. Get out of here.

Don't get upset...

Scared?

Juxian, this is all really your fault.

Didn't you tell these gentlemen today's a special day?

That we decided to announce our engagement today?

That's right!

Today is this lady's happy day.

So? Aren't you going to offer your congratulations?

Drink a toast to me!

Who the fuck are they kidding?

Gentlemen, on this, my happiest day...

allow me to drink to all of you!

And now something to sober you up.

Wish us well!

I heard you got into a fight at the House of Blossoms.

You know the old story about Pan Jinlian's husband

meeting the man who screwed her?

Did he have any choice but to fight?

Does this mean there's a Pan Jinlian in your life?

- What are you saying? - What do you want to hear?

I was just fooling around. ''Damsel in distress'' and all that - no big deal.

Come there with me sometime. You'll see what it's like.

I'm sorry. I really am!

I just wasn't thinking. I really put my foot in it this time.

I'm a damn fool.

Have you forgotten the secret of our success?

Don't you remember our teacher's words?

Which words were they?

Stick together till the day you die.

I want you to be with me...

I mean...

I want to be with you the rest of my life.

We've come this far together, haven't we?

It's not enough. I'm talking about a lifetime.

One year, one month, one day, even one second less

makes it less than a lifetime!

Dieyi, you really are obsessed.

You're obsessed on stage and it carries over into your life.

But how are we going to get through the days and make it

in the real world, among ordinary people?

Give me a hand with my makeup, will you?

Oh, my concubine!

The songs of Chu can be heard on all sides!

Liu Bang has surely taken my kingdom! I'm finished!

My king!

I fear that today is the day we must part

So you want to become a fucking hoity-toity rich man's wife!

Go live out this goddamn fantasy then.

But you're kidding yourself if you think that when you walk out this door,

you'll become a lady of virtue!

You think the wolves and tigers won't recognise your scent anymore?

How you frighten me!

Let me tell you something.

Once a whore, always a whore.

Just remember that.

This is your fate!

Fine. See you around.

Master Yuan has presented you with a pennant.

It reads, ''The beauty of the age''.

What are you doing here?

What is it, Juxian?

Come on in!

No, you come out!

What are you doing barefoot on such a cold day?

What's happened?

I was kicked out. The House of Blossoms won't keep an engaged woman.

Come.

Let me introduce you.

This is Miss Juxian.

This is my stage brother. You've seen him as Concubine Yu.

Xiaolou speaks of you so often, I feel like we're old friends.

Ah, Miss Juxian. I must be going.

Xiaolou, that day at the House of Blossoms...

If you hadn't caught me, I'd be six feet under by now.

Remember, it was you who proposed to me.

I'm used to hardship. If you take me in...

I'll wait on you hand and foot.

If you tire of me, I'll jump again and kill myself. No big deal, really.

What a dragon lady!

Incredible! This is a major production.

When's the performance of ''Candlelit Night in the Bridal Chamber''?

Tonight.

Hold on.

I want a formal betrothal ceremony to which the entire company is invited.

I want to enter your home as a proper bride.

You don't think I plan to cut corners, do you?

The formal engagement ceremony will be tonight.

Gentlemen, we request the pleasure of your company.

Miss Juxian...

where did you study opera?

Me, study opera? What makes you think I studied opera?

Just the way you're overplaying your part.

Dieyi, she's like your sister-in-law now. Call her that.

Also, at the engagement party tonight...

I'd like you to be best man.

I haven't learnt the opera ''Gangster King and his Whore''.

Our teacher never taught us that one.

What are you on about?

Dieyi, Xiaolou has never said an ill word about you

in public or private.

Don't leave!

Where are you going?

None of your business.

Xiaolou!

Please don't go!

Master Yuan wants us to visit him tonight. He wants to become our patron.

Who does he think he is? No one tells me what to do.

I'm just a fake king. You really are Concubine Yu.

Let him patronise you if you like.

Xiaolou!

A headdress of this quality is a rare thing.

Only if plucked from the tail of a live pheasant

are the feathers so soft,

lithe and beautiful.

I respectfully await your good self!

In this world, there is foulness in both men and women.

Only the Bodhisattva embodies both male and female essences.

Such ecstasy!

This sword has a history. It once belonged to the eunuch Zhang.

When Zhang went bankrupt, I went to great trouble to acquire it.

I can see from this

you're old acquaintances.

Amazing, one searches far and wide for something

only to stumble upon it by chance.

Like it?

I...

Let's not have any vulgar talk of money between us.

A precious sword is the classic gift for one's most intimate friend.

Mr Cheng,

will you be my most intimate friend?

The soldiers of Han have invaded

The songs of Chu can be heard on all sides

Since the good king has lost his fighting spirit

Why should his humble concubine value her life?

Don't!

It's a real sword!

A smile ushers in the spring...

A tear does darken all the world.

How truly does this befit you...

Only you are possessed of such charm.

Ah, Mr Cheng. I knew you'd come.

We saved a seat at the head table for you.

Xiaolou!

Well if it isn't Dieyi!

So you've decided to give me some face at last. Otherwise...

Have a look at this.

Great sword!

But we're not on stage. What would I want with a sword?

Dieyi, you've come so late. I ought to punish you by making you drink this.

Yes, drink up!

My gratitude, Miss Juxian.

Dieyi. Mr Cheng.

Xiaolou, from now on, we'll go our own ways.

Mr Cheng, you can't do this!

This isn't... the fans won't...

This is terrible!

Japanese troops have entered the city!

Dieyi... where's Dieyi?

I, Gao Lishi, respectfully bring you some wine

Gao Lishi, what is this wine you bring me?

The wine brought by my unworthy self is called all-night wine

Oh dear! And who will spend all night with you?

Dieyi says the eyebrows look best if they've got a strong line.

Life's like a dream of spring

To your heart's content!

I shall drink to my heart's content

Look at this, Mr Duan...

I won't stand for it!

- Tell him to take it off immediately. - Xiaolou!

What's the fuss? It's only a costume.

If it was the shroud out of your grandma's coffin,

you'd still have to give it to me.

Get my meaning? Low-life actor!

Tell the Japanese I'll be there right away.

Hold on a tick!

It's not some private party. It's a blackmail.

On the one hand, you're the only one who can save Xiaolou.

On the other, if anything happened to you...

this theatre of mine, it would...

All right, go then.

Miss Juxian, what are you doing?

Miss, Miss... Mr Cheng isn't at home!

Where's Dieyi? Dieyi?

Hurry!

They say the Japanese let their dogs eat the hearts right out of people's chests.

And you know Xiaolou's temper.

If you delay, he mightn't have a life to save!

Dieyi!

But you allowed them to take him away in the first place.

What are you saying?

Xiaolou has looked after you since you were small.

Glad you're aware of that too.

Mr Na, would you mind leaving the room for a moment?

I have something to say to Dieyi in private.

Everyone says Miss Juxian is quite clever,

and her timing in this case certainly proves it.

We're all trying to help Xiaolou. Talk it over.

How about a clear answer - are you going or not?

Say something!

I know what's on your mind.

I have a proposal.

If you can get Xiaolou out of there in one piece,

I'll go back to the House of Blossoms.

I'll keep away from both of you then. How's that?

At the House of Blossoms, you don't have to worry about much.

Life is a lot simpler there.

Just remember, you said it, not me.

I give my word.

The flowers have blossomed,

Their season's past

All has fallen

Into ruin and decay

The sun shines brightly

Over the beautiful scene

But is there anyone left

To enjoy it?

- Xiaolou! - My brother!

- Xiaolou, are you all right? - Did you sing for the Japanese?

There's one called Aoki. He's quite a fan of Peking Opera

Xiaolou!

All right. Come here!

Let me have another drink.

I... I'll drink for you.

Come on!

I think this opera ''Farewell My Concubine''

has turned into ''Farewell My King''.

The king doesn't really get a look in.

Drink this and your voice will pierce the heavens,

yet be tender and fluid as water.

Don't move!

Forget the opera.

Let's just live a quiet life.

We'll have a fat little baby boy.

And I'll have everything I want. That's enough.

No more opera.

- Let's go. - Hurry up! Take those wretched insects!

- See you, pal. - All right, all right!

Hand it over!

I'm not talking about your stupid crickets.

Where's the money he lent you?

Don't think you can take advantage of him when he's in a good mood.

Give me the money and get lost.

I'm the one who wanted them.

Piss off!

A man's no longer a man if he gives up a proper job

to waste all his time on these stupid insects. Disgusting!

A proper job?

All I can do is sing

and you won't stand for that. What am I supposed to do?

Find work as a pallbearer? A night soil carrier?

Would that make you happy?

Look at you! You're really angry?

Take this back.

Not through yet?

So I overstated things a bit. OK?

If you're not careful, these people will be all over us like fungus.

Oh, your old teacher wants you to go see him.

I'm not going. I'm too ashamed of myself.

Look at that sword!

Sir, they're here!

- Who? - Dieyi and Xiaolou.

They came as soon as they heard you wanted to see them.

- Oh, this really is something! - Master!

- The two famous actors are here! - We are unworthy of you.

You really have given me a lot of face.

I'm deeply honoured.

Please, have a seat. Let this decrepit old man pay his respects.

Master, your students wouldn't presume...

Wouldn't presume!

What wouldn't you presume?

Cheng Dieyi, Xiaolou helped make you what you are today.

Now he's not singing anymore.

It's time for you to give him a hand.

Come on!

Do it!

Little Douzi!

Little Shitou!

There's been a lot of water under the bridge

since you were children.

Now,

you're great actors. You're too big for your britches.

But have you forgotten?

Don't you have the heart for it anymore?

Did I tell you to spoil and indulge him?

Did I tell you to sit by while he wastes his talents?

Did I tell you to cover up for him?

Master...

It's me who's the no-hoper.

Punish me!

Listen to me, Grandpa,

can you guess what I have to say?

Xiaolou belongs to me these days...

If you want to hit him, you've got to notify me first.

Juxian!

It's that girl from the House of Blossoms, isn't it?

Today, you are our number one guest.

Make yourself comfortable. Have a drink and a look around.

Please!

Did I teach you to eat, drink,

go whoring and gamble? Play with crickets?

Did I teach you to pawn your costumes?

To desecrate the opera!

Good! I deserve it!

Hold on!

If he's desecrating the opera, you ought to punish him.

But don't you figure his stage brother has a gesture in it as well?

Juxian!

I'm from the House of Blossoms. This is none of my business,

but as their teacher, shouldn't you listen to both sides of the story?

Shut up!

This is between us men! Keep out of it!

Duan Xiaolou, you really are a tender soul!

- Hit me again! - If you don't shut up, I'll kill you.

Don't!

Good. Do that. You'll take two lives at once.

The Duan family line will stop with you!

Who told you to stand up?

Shitou, are you paying attention?

You're going to be a father.

If you keep wasting your time and lose your skills,

how are you going to afford a celebration banquet for the birth?

Kneel closer to one another!

Closer!

Work harder!

Get a good grip!

Stretch those legs! Stretch!

Wait a minute!

You're practising ''Fleeing by Night,'' aren't you?

You're playing Lin Chong. Who's this Lin Chong?

He's head of the palace guard, not some sneaky little thief.

Take this.

Attention everyone!

This is what a great hero's like.

A man doesn't lightly shed his tears...

Unless...

His heart...

Has...

Broken

Don't! The teacher told me to kneel for seven days as punishment.

- Time's not up yet! - The troupe has disbanded...

What's the point of this idiotic kneeling?

Master said that only you have the power to make yourself a great actor.

Everyone else has left. You ought to go home too.

I was found on the street as a baby. I've got no other home.

Do you know who found you?

No! They said if I knew I'd get a big head and wouldn't work hard.

Do you still want to sing opera?

Yes, even if I have to beg to support myself!

What's your name?

Xiao Si.

Xiao Si.

1945 - THE JAPANESE SURRENDER

I hear the talk

Of the soldiers

Xiao Si, go tell the manager to avoid trouble.

And it is all about

Running away

What's this? Why aren't you singing?

Don't make trouble!

Don't go, Xiaolou. It's not worth it!

Soldiers! Gentlemen!

You can't just wave your flashlights around in the theatre.

Even the Japanese didn't do this sort of thing.

Everyone's here for the opera.

Please return to your seats.

All right. Seats, everyone!

But can we let him get away with speaking up for the Japanese?

- No! - Get him!

Fuck your mother!

Xiaolou!

Xiaolou!

Xiaolou!

Leave him alone!

Juxian!

Hurry!

I'm here, Juxian...

Get her a stool. Hurry!

Mrs Duan has to get to hospital.

Save her first and worry about the baby later.

Let us through!

There was only a minor disturbance.

Such a show of force, is it really necessary?

You can fine us.

Why do you need to arrest anyone?

The theatre's been trashed, people beaten, and you still want to arrest him?

Why?

What for?

Cheng Dieyi betrayed the country to the Japanese.

Move it!

How can you say that about him?

Teacher, teacher!

Mr Duan!

Mr Duan, I'm afraid she's lost the baby.

Xiaolou,

I'm so sorry.

Go do what you have to do.

I don't know whether Dieyi goes looking for trouble

or if it's trouble that comes looking for him.

But there seems no avoiding it. Sooner or later, he'll come to grief.

Whenever you're with him,

my heart's in my throat.

Now I've lost our child, you're all I have left.

I don't care if I have to beg with you on the streets,

all I ask...

is peace of mind.

If you help him now, we'll no longer owe him anything.

Don't perform with him anymore.

Promise me this. Put it in writing.

Master Yuan,

Dieyi's life is in your hands.

Count this. If it's not enough...

If only you'll save Dieyi,

we'll give you all our earnings for the next three years.

You think I need your money to keep my birds from starving?

And this gentleman is...?

Don't you recognise Xiaolou?

He plays the king to Dieyi's concubine.

Then it should be he who saves Concubine Yu!

My dear man, that's only a play!

All Peiping knows that Master Yuan is the true king of the theatre!

It's true.

Speaking of theatre, I'd like to ask Mr Duan something.

When the king returns to see Concubine Yu...

How many steps should he take?

Seven.

Show me.

Come on, show me!

Master Yuan...

Is this the honourable home of Master Yuan?

When a man called Cheng Dieyi was arrested,

he said the owner of this sword would be able to rescue him.

Have a look.

Do you recognise it?

From your expression, I see I've come to the right place.

Good. I'll put the sword here.

I'm so relieved to have found its owner.

But sometimes one's hopes are misplaced.

Master Yuan, you mustn't blame Dieyi.

I see.

He didn't say I... I put him up to it, did he?

If you were involved, he wouldn't be in trouble, would he?

True!

Oh dear!

There's a roomful of reporters waiting at home.

Xiaolou, Mr Na, let's go.

Wait a moment! Let's talk.

Master Yuan asked me to talk to you.

Tomorrow in court, say the Japanese put a gun to your head.

Say they tortured you.

Master Yuan has made arrangements for everything else.

This is from Xiaolou.

Dieyi, don't be angry with us.

The death of Xiaolou's child...

was karmic retribution for your partnership.

After you get out of here, just go your own way.

During the War of Resistance against the Japanese,

the accused, Cheng Dieyi, performed pornographic works

for the Japanese troops under Aoki Saburo.

Cheng and Aoki expressed mutual affection and acted in collusion,

boosting enemy morale and damaging national self-respect.

After the Japanese surrender, Aoki refused to give up

and was shot dead by our troops. His association with the accused

is well documented in photographs. The evidence is ironclad.

We call on the witnesses Yuan Shiqing, Duan Xiaolou and Na Kun.

The government has always been good to me.

I wouldn't dare deceive the court.

Nor would I betray the laws of heaven nor my own conscience.

Cheng Dieyi was taken away in handcuffs by the Japanese.

They put a gun to the back of his neck.

Duan Xiaolou!

Uh, it's true.

The Japanese beat up my stage brother.

Exactly as Master Yuan has just described.

Na Kun!

He...

The procurator spoke of ''pornographic'' singing.

That's absurd.

That evening,

Cheng sang excerpts from ''Peony Pavilion'' and ''Wandering in a Garden''.

Anyone with a smidgen of traditional learning knows they're opera classics.

How can you call them pornographic?

Given such an insult to our culture, we must ask who in fact

is insulting...

our national spirit and dignity?

Bravo!

We ask the accused, Cheng Dieyi, have the witnesses told the truth?

The court wishes to hear what the accused has to say.

Cheng Dieyi!

I sang for the Japanese.

I hate the Japanese too.

But they didn't lay a hand on me.

Cheng Dieyi...

you have the right and duty to clear your name.

Reconsider carefully and tell us again what happened.

If Aoki lived, he'd have taken Peking Opera to Japan.

Just kill me, why don't you?

Master Yuan, Master Yuan!

How did you people get in here?

Please, Master Yuan, don't leave.

What does it matter? He's as good as dead.

Master Yuan, you can't go. If you go, he's finished for sure.

The court has made its decision.

The case of the traitor Cheng Dieyi is suspended.

The accused is released under bond.

Court dismissed!

What's going on?

Cheng Dieyi,

are you playing with me, goddamn it?

Goodbye...

Mr Cheng.

This way, Mr Cheng.

The commander has arrived.

Attention!

Chunxiang!

Miss!

How can one know spring's colours

Unless one visits the garden?

Ma, did you get my last letter?

Everything's fine here. Don't worry about me

My stage brother Xiaolou looks after me with great kindness

We rehearse by day and perform at night

Just like before

The world's not what it used to be, but all we ask is a peaceful life

We sing and get paid for it, what more could you want?

Lucky the Cat wants you to blow some opium smoke at her.

See that? It sure makes her come to life!

Dieyi, should I mail this to...?

- The usual address. - Done.

All you classic consumptive heroines burn your letters.

Have you seen this?

Do you want it?

If you don't, I'll tear it up.

I'll do it!

Xiao Si!

Master Duan has taken the sword.

The river's course is twisted, but in the end it flows to the sea!

But what gulf still lies between our concubine and our king?

Talk to each other already. Liu Bang's about to enter the city!

1948 - BEFORE THE EVACUATION OF THE KMT TO TAIWAN

For better or worse, we Manchus ruled for three centuries.

The Republic's only just begun, and already it's being overthrown!

But even the Communists have to have opera.

The empire may change hands, but you'll still get top billing

at the celebrations for the new dynasty! You can bet your life on it!

We're just waiting to see what their money looks like!

Well, do you still want to fight their ragtag troops?

They'd better behave themselves. Otherwise, I'll still fight them.

If you had Master Yuan's class, you'd prosper

no matter who was in power.

It's not the same for us!

Do you recognise me?

Cigarettes! Buy one!

Mr Zhang... don't you know us?

Buy a pack!

1949 - ENTRY OF THE PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY INTO PEKING

The king's sad song

Moves one to tears

Let me dance and sing for you

And talk away your sorrow

You do so much for me

I'd do anything

For you

Xiao Si, give them whatever they want. Don't resist.

Soldiers, gentlemen. I'm terribly sorry...

Tonight, he just...

Advance, advance, advance!

We are marching toward the sun

Through this great motherland of ours

We carry the hopes of a nation on our backs

We are an unbeatable force!

Mr Cheng, if you can't take it, have another smoke.

Xiao Si, go call Mr Duan.

Down with the counter-revolutionary Yuan Shiqing!

Yuan Shiqing has made the people his enemy. Death to him!

Raise your level of vigilance!

To sum up, the counter-revolutionary Yuan Shiqing

has always opposed the Communist Party and the people.

He has harmed his community and is guilty of monstrous crimes.

Only execution can satisfy the people's anger!

Down with the counter-revolutionary Yuan Shiqing!

Down with the tyrant of the opera world Yuan Shiqing!

Death to Yuan Shiqing!

Execute Yuan Shiqing!

Take him away!

Only execution can satisfy the people's anger?

Just like that?

They're going to kill Master Yuan?

Keep your voice down.

The sky of the liberated areas is clear and blue

The people of the liberated areas are happy

The democratic government loves the people

You can never say enough about the Party's loving kindness!

Let me go! Release me!

Fuck you!

Stop carrying on!

Are you listening?

You'll get over it with time.

Good, calm down. Everything will be OK.

Fuck you!

Cut it out or I'll hit you!

- How is he? - I think we'll have to give him some drugs.

Keep an eye on him. Don't let him hurt himself.

Don't go, Xiaolou.

If he really wants to overcome his addiction to opium,

he's going to have to go through hell! This is just the start.

I'm cold!

Ma!

The water's all turned to ice!

I'm cold!

Ma!

The water's all turned to ice!

I'm cold...

It's OK. Everything's all right.

The sky of the liberated areas is clear and blue

The people of the liberated areas are happy...

Mrs Duan!

Where were you?

A meeting.

A meeting?

Xiaolou, the whole troupe's come.

Come on in. Quick!

Ah, a costume change!

Thank you all for coming to see me. I'm fine now.

Sounds easy now. You didn't see him suffer!

Dieyi, get out of bed.

All of Peking is waiting with bated breath

for the next appearance of the king and his Concubine!

It'll be the goddamn golden hit of a golden era.

You've asked me to say a few words. I'm not sure how to put it.

I think these modern operas are interesting,

but the costumes aren't very attractive.

The backdrops are also too realistic, nothing pleasures the eye.

Yet Peking Opera puts great value on ambience.

Song, recital, movement and acrobatics are part of this ambience.

But if you're wearing outfits like these

and standing in front of those backdrops, it just doesn't work.

I fear that this will be the end of opera, as we know it.

What do all of you think?

Are you saying that modern operas aren't Peking Opera?

What is Peking Opera after all? You can put it succinctly.

No sound but is a song, no movement but is a dance.

It must have beauty. For instance...

Teacher, I don't get it.

Practise. When you've sweated enough to fill buckets, you'll get it.

I still don't understand.

Xiao Si!

I just don't get it.

Why should it be Peking Opera,

when ancient heroes and beauties take the stage,

but not when the labouring masses do?

You're talking apples and pears. Upstart!

What's this attitude?

I'd like to hear from Teacher Duan.

Xiaolou!

It's raining. I've brought your umbrella.

Catch!

Yes, yes, run along home now.

Discussions about ethics give me a headache.

I say if it uses the traditional musical forms, then it's Peking Opera.

Am I right?

I'd like to say something.

I've been part of the New Society since giving my theatre to the state.

Comrade Cheng, I believe you're wrong.

Modern opera is a new venture, it deserves our support.

You never practise.

If opera relied on being a smartass, you'd graduate with honours.

Opera requires practice, skill and talent.

There are no shortcuts!

By forcing me to kneel, you're breaking the law.

And if I don't punish you, you'll always be third-rate.

You want to be a great actor? Dream on!

And when did you ever seriously want me to succeed?

All you've ever wanted is a coolie, a stage hand...

a follower, a dogsbody, a bit player!

How dare you! You're speaking absolute rubbish!

Kneel down!

You won't live to see the day!

Xiao Si!

Piss off then! Be a bit player your whole life!

Mr Cheng...

I can hardly believe this...

It's like something out of the Old Society!

If I continue to get bit parts, I'll be unworthy of your patronage!

So, you know?

Uh, I just learned myself...

That's not true, Teacher Duan.

You were there at the meeting last night.

But you said you'd notify Dieyi that you were replacing him.

I had second thoughts. I decided you should tell him.

Don't you agree? If you couldn't tell him, who could?

Take it off!

Take it off!

Don't. Don't be like that!

I won't fucking sing anymore!

Let whoever wants to perform do so.

Xiaolou, you mustn't go.

Comrade Duan,

that audience is made up of the labouring masses.

You decide for yourself whether or not to sing for them.

Xiaolou, the concubine's on stage. You'd better hurry.

Xiaolou... Mr Duan!

I've followed my king on his military campaigns

Enduring the wind and frost

And hard toil year after year

I hate only the lawless tyrant

Who has plunged our people

Into an abyss of misery!

The people have suffered untold hardship and pain

The king has returned to camp!

I'm here

My king!

I've caused you so much grief

Thank you very much, Miss Juxian.

Dieyi!

Dieyi, open the door! Open up!

Dieyi!

Won't you accept my apology?

That little snake you rescued...

...has turned into a veritable dragon!

You have to go along with it! What else can you do?

No matter what, as you told me, you have to keep on singing!

Come on out and see what's playing in the theatre of life these days.

Douzi, listen to your stage brother.

Go with the times! I'll still be the king and you my concubine!

Why does the concubine have to die?

Dieyi,

why are you so impossible?

That's the play, for heaven's sake.

1966 - START OF THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION

Central People's Radio will now broadcast

the decision of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee

regarding the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution,

passed on 8th August 1966.

This new stage in socialist revolution

is an event that will touch

the very soul of the people!

What are you doing? Drinking at a time like this?

I feel like it.

Anyway, jade cups were part of the ''Old Society''.

We can't keep them. Might as well use them a last time.

Come on!

It still won't break!

I'm so afraid!

I dreamed I was on top of a tall building alone, amongst the clouds.

I wanted to jump.

Jump! I'd catch you.

You weren't there.

Xiaolou, you wouldn't leave me, would you?

Where did this sword come from?

Cheng Dieyi gave it to me.

How many times did he give it to you?

Twice.

When was the second time?

Shortly before the liberation of Peking.

Where?

On... the street in front of the theatre.

What did you say to each other?

It was quite chaotic, I don't remember.

Think about it.

We didn't say anything!

Keep thinking.

If we did, I can't recall.

Something about what you'd do to the Communists?

No! Certainly not!

I'd stake my life on it.

But what if we've got a witness?

Who? Bring out the bastard!

Na Kun!

What did I say?

I'll give you a hint.

Something about ragtag troops.

Na Kun! This is pure slander!

You reactionary old theatre boss! You only want to protect yourself.

You said you'd take on their ragtag troops.

No! I never said that!

What I meant was...

What I said was... No, I said nothing at all!

Mr Na, Mr Na, help me... Mr Na!

Duan Xiaolou, you've been smashing bricks since you were a boy, yes?

Do one for us.

Do it!

Come on!

Duan Xiaolou, aren't you the ''king''?

No, I'm not.

But you've always been the ''king'', haven't you?

That's just an opera.

It's not real life.

Did you go to brothels in the Old Society?

Yes.

Don't you think that's shameful?

Yes.

When you married Juxian, what was she?

A prostitute.

Good.

Now tell us what we need to know about Cheng Dieyi.

Of course, you don't have to tell us anything.

You saw what happened to Yuan Shiqing.

Make your own decision.

Sweep away all cow demons and snake spirits!

If the enemy doesn't surrender, we will destroy him!

Uncover the Black Gangs! Cut off the Black Hands!

Seize the Black Hands that have infiltrated the cultural world!

Revolution is no crime, rebellion is justified!

Sweep away all cow demons and snake spirits!

Xiaolou!

Duan Xiaolou is the reactionary king!

Duan Xiaolou isn't telling the truth!

Duan Xiaolou and Cheng Dieyi are anti-Party elements!

Down with Duan Xiaolou! Down with Cheng Dieyi!

Talk! Talk!

Obliterate all class enemies!

Talk!

All right. I'll tell you. He's totally mad about opera, obsessed!

Who? Make yourself clear.

Come on!

Cheng Dieyi! All he cares about is opera...

No matter who was in the audience, which class they belonged to,

he'd still give it his all.

Stop avoiding the real issues. You're not being straight with us!

If you don't give in, we will annihilate you.

At the start of the War of Resistance, he sang for the Japanese.

He was a... traitor!

Down with Cheng Dieyi!

Down with Cheng Dieyi!

He sang for wounded KMT soldiers, for reactionary theatre bosses.

He sang for capitalists, landlords, the idle rich, their wives and daughters.

He sang for hooligans. He sang for soldiers and policemen.

He sang for the tyrant of the opera world, Yuan Shiqing!

Down with Cheng Dieyi!

What else? Tell us.

Talk!

He smoked opium like there was no tomorrow.

He smoked away the blood and sweat of the labouring masses.

Keep going. Get to the point.

Speak!

Go on!

Down with Cheng Dieyi!

Talk!

Xiaolou!

Talk!

In order to get on Yuan Shiqing's good side...

he... did you or did you not?

He became Yuan Shiqing's...his...

Xiaolou!

Did you...? Did you...?

You were...were...his...

Sweep away all cow demons and snake spirits!

Scholars and beauties, kings and ministers.

Cow demons and snake spirits.

You've all betrayed me!

Betrayed me!

I've got something to unmask as well!

I want to unmask splendiferous beauty and desolate ruin.

Duan Xiaolou, you've no conscience.

You're as greedy as a wolf, cruel as a cur.

You're the shell of a man.

From the moment you started hanging around with this woman,

I knew you were finished.

Everything was finished!

You think disaster just falls from the sky?

No.

We have come step by step towards this fate. It's retribution.

I'm despicable, and have been so for a long time.

But now even the King Of Chu is on his knees begging for mercy!

Can Peking Opera survive this indignity?

It's doomed, is it not?

This is what's called retribution!

Karmic retribution!

And I have something to unmask as well.

See that woman?

Who's she? I'll tell you!

Slut! Pan Jinlian! Top whore at the House of Blossoms!

Struggle against her!

Struggle her to death!

Duan Xiaolou, is it true she was a prostitute?

Well, was she?

Tell us!

Yes... yes...!

Do you love her?

Do you?

No, no, no! I don't love her!

Is this the truth?

Really. I don't love her.

Really. I'll never have anything to do with her again.

Nothing at all.

Juxian!

Juxian!

Listen to grandma talk of revolution

A tale of heroism and tragedy

I was a child of the rain and wind...

The Han troops have taken the kingdom

The songs of Chu

Can be heard on all sides!

My king!

1977

My king, quickly give me your precious sword

No, you mustn't take your life!

My king, quickly give me your precious sword

No, you must not do this!

It's no good.

I'm old. I can't hack it anymore.

At sixteen I am a nun...

My hair shorn at youth's prime

I am by nature a boy

Not a girl

Wrong! You've done it again!

I am by nature a boy, not a girl!

Come on, let's try it again

My king, quickly give me your precious sword

No, you mustn't take your life!

My king, quickly give me your precious sword

No, you must not do this!

Give me your sword

No, never!

My king, the soldiers of Han... they've entered the city!

Where?

Dieyi!

Douzi!

A celebration performance was held in Beijing in 1990

to commemorate the bicentenary anniversary of Anhui opera.