Original subtitles

For unexplainable reasons

my son Ken-ichi and |

have been estranged for 10 years.

There is a profound chasm between us

which hurts me deeply.

lwant us to be close again.

l have learned that

Ken-ichi is in the hospital.

His wife Rie has asked me to visit him.

She has suggested to me

that it would be an opportunity

for Ken-ichi and l to speak to each other

and to improve our relationship.

You must be surprised at the changes

in Tokyo over the past 10 years.

Ken-ichi has been unwell for a while.

He‘s suffering from stomach pain.

It often disturbs him at night.

He hasn‘t been diagnosed yet.

Excuse me.

Give me a moment.

I‘ll tell Ken-ichi you‘re here.

He doesn‘t know that you‘ve come.

Father is here to see you.

Why don‘t you let him in?

He‘s come a long way to see you.

Why should I see him?

Who asked him to come?

Did you?

I never said I wanted to see him.

Please don‘t talk like this.

Enough, I don‘t want to see him.

Please wait.

Father

he‘s sick and in great pain.

Don‘t take his words to heart.

Forgive him.

Let metalk to him.

This tape

was made by Ken-ichi in China.

It was broadcast as part of a TV special.

Please have a look at his work.

Make sure you watch it.

Please.

Mr Takata, it‘s ready.

Thank you. Would you like a drink?

No, thank you.

l have another appointment.

Do you know how to use a VCR?

Yes.

Let me introduce

an expert in oriental folk arts

Mr Ken-ichi Takata.

He is widely published on the subject.

We have some footage

shot by Mr Ken-ichi of a mask opera.

This opera originates from Yunnan Province.

This is Mr Ken-ichi Takata

from the faculty of Oriental Folk Arts

at the University of Tokyo.

He‘s here to see you perform.

Thank you.

This is Mr LiJiamin.

He‘s our lead singer.

This is amazing.

You are incredible.

He says you are incredible.

I could be better. I have a cold today.

Come back and I‘ll perform

Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.

I‘m not familiar with this particular opera.

It's a mask opera about Lord Guan.

Oh...l see...the Lord Guan...

from the story

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms?

He actually knows

who Lord Guan is.

Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles

is the greatest of all mask operas.

I‘m the greatest singer of it.

Then, this is a rare chance.

Can‘t you sing a little for me now?

My voice is not up to it today.

Ken-ichi is leaving Chinatonight.

Then, some other time.

It‘s a deal.

I'll come back to Yunnan next year.

I promise you an unforgettable performance.

How‘s the catch today?

Nothing much.

This is Takata.

Father

I've been calling and calling.

Have you been fishing?

I‘ve received Ken-ichi‘s diagnosis.

Cancer of the liver.

It is terminal.

lhaven‘t told Ken-ichi yet.

ldon‘t think...l have the courage.

He thinks

he will be discharged soon.

I've always hoped...in my heart

that our family could enjoy a meal together

Father

Ken-ichi

and l.

Now I‘m not sure

that's going to happen.

I need to find

the singer Mr Li Jiamin.

I don't know what is out there

and I‘m not good at dealing with people.

However

| feel compelled to go.

I need to do something for my dying son.

Mr Takata.

Do you want to rest in Kunming

or go to Lijiang immediately?

Lijiang, immediately.

Fine.

LlJlANG

Rie?

It‘s me.

I‘m at Lijiang

in Yunnan Province, China.

Yunnan?

What are you doing there?

l‘m filming "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles".

You want to film it

for Ken-ichi?

Actually

I gave you that tape

so you could learn more about him.

Father

please come back.

No.

The travel agency has arranged everything.

Please don‘t be worried about me.

Just don‘t tell Ken-ichi

what I‘m planning.

Please.

Ll VILLAGE

Mr Takata.

This is Lingo. He‘s a village tour guide.

He speaks a little Japanese.

Lingo.

Remember Ken-ichi was here last year?

He promised to film the mask opera.

This is his father.

So you‘re Ken-ichi‘s father.

His father.

Ken-ichi is...my friend.

He‘s a very...good friend.

Lingo, how is everything going?

Just a second.

Are you Li Jiamin?

No.

Lingo, I told you we only wanted Li.

It doesn‘t have to be Li.

Other actors can also play Lord Guan.

No way. Mr Takata only wants Li Jiamin.

If he insists on Li

there will be no show today.

Why not?

Look, Li enjoys a drink or two

which is usually fine.

Then, during a rehearsal

a stage hand mentioned

he had a bastard son.

This upset him so much

that he grabbed awooden dagger

and stabbed the guy in the face.

He was arrested

and sentenced to 3 years in prison.

Please tell him

it doesn‘t have to be Li Jiamin performing.

All the actors are very good.

Once the mask is on

it doesn‘t matter who is behind it.

No-one can tell the difference.

Even a native can‘t tell

the difference between the voices.

So how could a Japanese person?

Does it really have to be Li?

His son wanted to film Li.

He is making this film for his son.

No-one else will do.

But Li Jiamin is in prison

for 3 years.

Even if he behaves well

and becomes a model prisoner

he won‘t be released for a year or two.

Takata should come back.

There will be other chances.

The show is always playing.

Jasmine

please help me.

MrTakata, this is not about money.

I‘m in a difficult position.

I‘m just a tour guide.

How can I get a foreigner

permission to film inside a prison?

It is impossible.

Please help me.

I really want to help.

But this is beyond my ability

and myjob description.

Please forgive me.

My contract is only for 3 days.

I‘ve been assigned otherjobs.

I‘ll see you off at Kunming Airport.

I‘m sorry.

Jasmine

please ask your boss

if I could employ another interpreter.

Hi, Boss. This is Jasmine.

That Japanese tourist

Mr Takata, who arrived 2 days ago

is asking for a new interpreter.

Mr Takata

my boss cannot help with your plan

to film inside the prison.

He also says

he doesn't have another interpreter available.

Please forget about this idea.

Mr Takata.

Is that actor, Mr Li, so important

to your film?

Excuse me.

Please turn around.

Turn around.

Turn around.

Jasmine

he wants to go back.

The opera is

Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.

Lord Guan traveled athousand miles

to help a friend

which is a big deal.

A man must be loyal.

I can't understand what they are saying

but I need their help.

Without them, I can't go anywhere.

For the first time, | feel helpless.

I wonder if Ken-ichi would feel the same way.

Mr Takata

about your plan

Jasmine cannot help you

but I am able to.

Much obliged.

Thank you.

No problem.

There are no costumes

or props in the prison.

We'll have to take them.

Excuse me.

There are no props and costumes at the prison.

He‘s getting them.

Mr Takata

I must confide in you.

Lingo is my friend.

He is very enthusiastic

but he really doesn‘t know much.

So, let me tell you

the basic procedures to follow.

First, go to the Office of Foreign Affairs.

Tell them why you want to visit the prison.

Office of Foreign Affairs.

If they approve

then go to the Bureau ofJustice.

Bureau ofJustice.

If they approve

then all's well.

Bureau of Justice...approves

If you have any difficulties

or Lingo can‘t properly translate for you

please call me.

l‘ll translate for you over the phone.

You have my phone number.

I‘ll leave this car for you

and charge it to your account.

You need to sign this form.

It's your request to change the interpreter.

Please sign here.

OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Director Li is in a meeting.

He's been briefed on your situation.

He will be available soon.

He won‘t be long.

We have to wait.

Lingo, are they all...thank-you banners?

Yes.

This means "Thank you".

lt‘s calligraphy.

A Chinese tradition.

Tradition?

Lingo

Please.

Write them down?

Please sit down.

No need to get up.

I‘ve checked the files.

lndeed

there was aJapanese man named Ken-ichi

who traveled here frequently.

He enjoyed our mask opera immensely.

He also visited Li Village.

You are...?

l‘m atour guide from Li Village.

l‘m Lingo.

He is my client.

This is Ken-ichi‘s father.

Welcome.

Please have a seat.

Lingo, can you translate

everything I am saying?

My Japanese is not very fluent

but I can take notes and translate later.

Okay, I'll talk and you take notes.

Okay.

You see

to let someone film inside a prison

is very difficult.

His request is totally without precedent

which makes it even more difficult.

You know

for a foreigner to visit a prison

is not a straightfonnlard matter.

the procedures are complicated.

It may seem simple, but it‘s not.

It is very complex.

Okay, okay, I‘m coming.

So, that puts an end to it.

Lingo

please explain these difficulties to him.

He doesn‘t have to visit this prisoner.

Many singers can perform this opera.

They could be even better than Li Jiamin.

I advise him to stop trying.

All right?

Mr Li said

this is

too difficult.

Because

a foreigner

l‘m aforeigner.

Law

Law is

difficult.

Because

Difficult?

Time

notime.

Dictionary

Check

Please check.

Law

Law?

Difficult?

Difficult law.

Difficult law.

Easy for the Chinese

but for foreigners

very, very difficult.

Government...law.

Government...law.

Hello.

Hello, Jasmine.

Sorry to bother you.

I need you to translate for me.

This is Lingo.

How did it go?

It was a disaster.

Get him aticket and send him home.

That‘s the end of it.

Let me explain this to him.

Mr Takata, telephone.

Mr Takata

I‘m sorry. Your request was refused.

Lingo will book you on the next flight.

Thank you.

Mr Takata

goodbye.

Please return to Japan.

Because...government policy.

My Japanese

is not good.

I‘m sorry.

I‘m sorry.

Thank you.

You want silk banners?

Which one?

The best one.

These are the best. What size?

This one.

Director Li.

Lingo.

I‘ve been waiting for hours.

We had a long meeting.

| forgot about the video.

Let‘s have a look at this tape.

Let‘s go in.

Why does Mr Takata

want to use this tape

to talk to me?

Lingo

we don‘t understand Japanese.

No problem.

l have a Chinese version.

Jasmine translated it

and faxed it to me.

That‘s complicated.

Of course it is.

I‘ve been practising for hours.

Let‘s see it then.

Why isn‘t he talking?

Director Li

Forgive me for speaking to you like this

but I have no other option.

A long time ago

a long time ago

I hurt my son Ken-ichi deeply.

He has never forgiven me.

Recently

my son was diagnosed with cancer.

He may not have very long to live.

He has a deep passion for

Chinese folk operas.

He promised to return here this year

to film Li Jiamin‘s performance.

ldon‘t know at this point

what else I can do for my son.

Maybe filming "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles"

is the only thing I can do for him now.

Director Li, please help me.

Please.

Director Li

please.

I apologize for calling you so late.

Please help me.

If you think it‘s possible

l‘ll report it to the Bureau of Foreign Affairs

and ask them

to liaise with the Bureau ofJustice

to resolve this.

Can you help me with this?

PRISON

Reform our ways.

Redeem ourselves.

Become new people.

One, two, three, four.

Are you his interpreter?

Yes, but myJapanese is not good.

I'll make notes first

and get someone to translate later.

Let me explain our protocol.

Foreigners have filmed here

in the past

but then complained publicly about conditions.

This gives our country a bad image.

Tell him this.

Yes.

Troublemakers like that are not welcome.

l have nothing against him personally.

You only want to film one prisoner?

Yes.

Prisoner Li Jiamin?

That‘s right, Li.

Mr LiJiamin.

Just to film him singing?

Yes, nothing else.

Which opera?

Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.

It sounds like an excellent way

to promote Chinese culture.

After all, Lord Guan is not a state secret.

No, he's not.

He's certainly not.

I‘ll give it the Bureau‘s stamp of approval.

We can film it now.

Testing, do you hear me?

Yes.

Perfect.

This is the venue.

It is our recreation room.

The prisoners

use the room

on weekends and public holidays.

It's a place to relax.

Can you hear me?

Yes.

You can begin now.

Thank you, Warden Chen.

You‘re welcome.

Report for duty.

Come in.

Prisoner Yang and the band

reporting for duty, Sir.

Take your places.

Yes, Sir.

Lingo.

This is the prison band.

Some were professionals

others learnt to play here.

They are extremely popular

performing every year for festivals.

Please tell him.

Thank you.Thank you.

Reporting for duty, Sir. Come in.

Prisoner Li Jiamin

reporting for duty, Sir.

Li.

Can you sing"Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles"?

Yes.

What you need to do

is this

Repent of our sins.

Reform our ways.

Redeem ourselves

become new people.

Li.

Relax, don‘t be nervous.

You should be captured on film at your best.

You know all the pieces, right?

Come on, don‘t be nervous.

Band members, once again.

Readygo.

What‘s the matter with you, Li?

Why aren‘t you singing?

Li.

Li.

What‘s wrong?

He is waiting for you.

just to film you singing.

He‘s Ken-ichi‘s father.

The Japanese guy who visited you often.

Please sing.

Ken-ichi is sick.

Please sing for him.

Come on.

Why are you crying?

I‘m not in the mood for singing.

ljust can‘t.

I‘m thinking of my son.

lcan‘t stop thinking about him.

I envy Li.

He doesn‘t hide his feelings.

It is a blessing

to be able to express one‘s emotions.

If I could reveal my feelings like this

my relationship with Ken-ichi would be different

Lingo.

ldon‘t think

we can film the opera today.

Li cannot sing.

Tell Mr Takata to come back.

Let me know well in advance.

Please tell him.

Mr Takata.

Stop crying, Li.

We know you‘d like to see your son.

This is Takata.

ldon‘t understand what‘s going on here.

Can you please help me?

Are you at the prison?

What happened?

We couldn‘t film the opera.

Li couldn‘t stop crying.

As the music started

he began to cry.

Why?

He‘s upset about his son

who he‘s never seen.

He longs to meet his son.

The warden stopped everything

when he saw Li crying.

What will you do?

He couldn‘t sing.

Li wasn‘t like that before.

He is a different man in prison.

Please pass the phone to Takata.

I‘ll explain to him.

Mr Takata, your phone.

It‘s me.

Jasmine.

This is Takata.

Mr Takata.

Sorry to disturb you so late.

I‘ve been thinking.

I‘ve decided to bring Li‘s son to him.

You want to bring the boy to Li?

Yes.

Please reconsider, Mr Takata.

Li was over emotional today.

Warden Chen said

he'd be fine in afew days.

The boy lives in Stone Village.

It is in a very remote place.

This detour will only delay your plan.

I‘ve made up my mind.

Mr Takata.

lsn't making the film for Ken-ichi

the most important thing?

Both are of equal importance now.

I‘m sorry.

Please call Lingo now

and ask him to take me to Stone Village tomorrow.

Please, I‘m sorry.

All right.

Lingo.

Good evening. May I?

Please.

What is it?

Good night.

Goodbye.

Hello.

Is this Mr Takata?

Sorry to bother you again.

What did you say to Lingo?

Why did he

return the moneyto me?

Will he still help me tomorrow?

Mr Takata.

Let me explain.

Lingo and | feel very sad

about Ken-ichi‘s illness.

I apologize

for not helping you earlier.

Forgive me.

Nevermind.

I understand.

Lingo doesn‘t feel right

about taking your money

when your son is so sick.

He will still take you

to Stone Village tomorrow.

Really?

Thank you both.

I‘m happy that Ken-ichi

has friends like you.

Does he have many friends in China?

Actually...l don‘t know Ken-ichi.

Lingo doesn‘t know him very well either.

Lingo said that

Ken-ichi hardly has any friends in China.

Really?

Lingo said

Ken-ichi seldom spoke to anyone.

He would stay alone in Lijiang for months.

Sometimes he just stared for hours

at the mountains.

He seemed very lonely.

I may have said too much.

No.

Please

tell me more about my son.

MrTakata, I‘m afraid that‘s all I know.

lam sorry.

Nevermind.

I‘m sorry it‘s so late.

Thank you,Jasmine.

Good night.

There‘s road work ahead.

STONE VILLAGE

Yang Yang‘s mom died a week ago.

He has no other family to care for him.

The villagers are taking care of him now.

The village chief said

the boy is now being raised by everyone

in this village.

That‘s right.

Li was told about this.

That‘s why he broke down in prison.

This was the reason.

We know why you have come here.

Our committee has already made its decision

I cannot give you the details straight away.

Why not?

Before I explain

I must clarify some things.

Please translate what I say.

Of course I will.

He‘s my client.

Please continue.

I want to say two things.

Firstly

Yang Yang is Li‘s son

born outside of wedlock

but we all accept that.

We all agree.

This is the first point.

Secondly

After 8 years, Li has now decided to claim his son.

We don‘t have a problem with this.

You‘d better translate now.

Why don‘t you simply say"yes"or "no"?

So I can give him an answer now.

Yes or "no"?

You haven‘t translated a single word to him.

You should translate everything I‘ve said.

You should make yourself clear before I do.

I doubt you speak anyJapanese.

Ridiculous. Of course I do.

This loud discussion is going on for a long time.

I suddenly feel like an outsider.

I realize

in aforeign language environment

you can feel very isolated.

l‘m slowly

beginning to understand

why Ken-ichi often visits here.

You‘re supposed to be atranslator.

lwouldn't need you if I spoke Japanese.

I know how to translate.

I beg to differ on that.

No signal.

There‘s no signal here.

I know where you can get one.

He‘s calling a translator.

Let‘s go outside.

Why are we going to the roof?

You can get a stronger signal.

My son has made calls from up here before.

Who is Mr Takata calling?

Jasmine, atranslator from Kunming.

Isn‘t that yourjob?

Are you sure you speak Japanese?

Of course I do.

The issue is so important

we need to get atrue professional.

Jasmine.

I‘m sorry.

ldon‘t understand what is being said.

Can you translate for me?

Thank you.

Ms Translator.

I want to make two points.

Firstly, Li didn‘t register a legal marriage

before his son was born.

We all accept that

Yang Yang is Li‘s son.

This is point one.

Secondly

at 8 years of age the boy

now finds he‘s got afather.

Li's sudden interest is hard to believe

and is confusing for everyone.

Please translate this for him.

It‘s me.

I totally understand

their reservations.

I never said "no" on this matter.

Lingo can‘t speak a word of Japanese.

Mr Takata needed to know

ourfeelings on the subject.

Now he really understands

we are very relieved.

We have no more issues.

After much discussion,we give our consent

to let the boy go. Not for Li's sake

but for the sake of our Japanese friend.

Yang Yang can visit his father

with Mr Takata tomorrow.

Yang Yang.

This is Yang Yang.

You are going to town tomorrow.

Get him some new clothes.

Could you ask the Chief

if Yang Yang wants to see his father?

Chief

he asks

if Yang Yang wants to see his father.

No problem.

Of course he does.

No problem.

Sure?

Yes.

One moment.

l have to take a call.

This is Rie.

Father, please don‘t be upset.

I‘ve told Ken-ichi

about your trip to China.

He didn‘t say a word the whole night

after he heard this

but he looked different.

I could see a change in his eyes.

Father

he never expected that

you would do such athing for him.

Ken-ichi told me today

this particular piece of mask opera

is not that important to him.

He was only being polite to Li.

So, Father, please come back.

Father

can you hear me?

lam listening.

Father

please come home.

Ken-ichi said

your trip to China

is the most wonderful thing

you‘ve done for him.

Did Ken-ichi say that?

Yes

these are his exact words.

Thank you.

Standing here today

I'm not sure

if Ken-ichi has uttered these words.

If he has

it is the first compliment

from my son in many years.

Seeing this large banquet

prepared by the villagers

for mea total stranger

lam deeply touched.

I will never forget this.

The sight of such generosity

and kindness from the villagers

makes me want to believe

that Ken-ichi has said these words.

What‘s wrong?

The tractor‘s broken down.

Broken down.

Really?

Yes

Can you fix it?

lthink so. Let metry.

Yang Yang!

Yang Yang!

Lingo!

Lingo!

Yang Yang! Mr Takata!

Yang Yang!

Mr Takata!

Mr Takata!

Yang Yang.

What‘s the matter?

Why did you run away from us?

Do you know your way home?

Going home?

Your home.

Why are you running away?

Yang Yang.

Do you know where you‘re going?

Yan g Yan g

are you going home?

Is this the right direction?

Hurry up everyone!

It seems like hours.

All I can do is to follow Yang Yang around.

I‘m one step behind. I think

the way I‘m chasing after him

is the way I chase after my own son.

I don‘t know

which path to take

or what direction to go.

l have no idea.

Yang Yang.

We‘ve been here before.

The trail looks the same.

Do you see?

Yang Yang.

We are lost.

We are very lost.

We can‘t keep going like this.

Let‘s wait for someone to find us.

All right.

Let‘s find a place to rest.

Let‘s wait here

and stay out of the wind.

Yang Yang.

What are you doing?

Having a poo-poo?

lthought you were running off again.

Don‘t look.

lcan‘t do it if you watch.

Go away.

ldon‘t believe this.

Go away.

Go away.

I‘m not leaving.

I‘ll stay here.

Go away.

Stop doing that!

Stop doing that!

Go away.

Yang Yang.

Yang Yang.

Hold on

let‘s split into two groups to search.

That would be more efficient.

All right, let‘s do it.

Lingo, how do you pronounce his name?

Mr Takata.

Are you sure?

Of course. It‘s a simple name.

Can you teach everyone to say it?

lt‘s pronounced as Mr Takata.

Repeat with me.

Mr Takata.

Mr Takata.

Say it louder. MrTakata.

Mr Takata!

All right.

You lead them that way.

We‘ll go this way.

Keep yelling out their names.

Let‘s go.

Mr Takata!

Yang Yang!

The moon is bright in the sky.

Don‘t be afraid, Yang Yang.

I‘m sure they‘ll find us.

We have to get their attention.

They might not see us in here.

Lingo!

Here, We got a boat whistle.

Well done.

Well done, Yang Yang.

No, you keep it.

Blow it again.

Well done.

Well done.

Sitting here all night

waiting to be found

I‘m holding Yang Yang tightly in my arms.

ldon‘t remember

if Ken-ichi and l

have ever held

each other like this.

Yan g Yan g

has no idea what his father even looks like.

I wonder

what kind of father I am to Ken-ichi?

His blood pressure is normal.

You will be fine.

Thank you.

Not at all.

I need to check the boy.

Give me your hand.

Jasmine

could I talk to the Chief please?

lam sorry for causing all this trouble.

No problem.

Maylask

why Yang Yang ran away yesterday?

He often wanders away.

lam not so sure.

Shall we ask Yang Yang?

Maybe he doesn‘t want to see his father after all.

There is no need to ask.

We‘ll make the decision for him.

What the hell does a child know?

He has to do as we say.

She can‘t translate if you‘re all speaking at once

Shut up. You can‘t speak Japanese anyway.

lcan‘t? Can you?

You know I can‘t. Neither can you!

They‘re arguing again.

We should ask Yang Yang what he wants.

Okay, let me ask him.

Yang Yang, come.

Sit over here.

Let me ask you something.

Do you want to meet your dad?

Do you?

Come on. Yes or no?

No.

Why not?

Don‘t be naughty.

lam not going!

Why?

Tell me why not?

You must do as the adults say.

I‘m telling you to go.

Go now.

He‘s not my dad.

I‘ve never seen him before.

He is your dad no matter what.

I‘m not going.

Why don‘t you want to see your dad?

ljust don‘t.

Why don‘t you want to see him?

He‘s your dad.

Don‘t be naughty.

Yang Yang doesn‘t want to go.

You must do as we say.

lwill not go.

Why not?

Tell me.

Could I speak with the Chief?

Chief, could you please come here?

Let‘s talk over there.

Don‘t cry Yang Yang.

We are not going.

Don‘t cry.

Chief

everyone

I‘m sorry for causing you any trouble.

I‘ve decided not to take Yang Yang to the prison.

Yan g Yan g

might not be ready

to meet his father yet.

Although he is just a child

lthink we should try to understand

and respect his wishes on this.

All right.

Yang Yang will not go.

Who will raise Yang Yang now?

Tell him not to worry.

The village will keep caring for Yang Yang.

Li will be released in 2 years.

We‘ll arrange a meeting then.

The boy will be united with his dad.

We will take care of it.

Jasmine, one moment.

Yang Yang!

Mr Takata

what do you want to do now?

lwould like to visit the prison again.

If possible

I‘d still like to film Li‘s performance.

Could you contact Warden Chen

to see if Li would be willing?

You may have to wait a few days for an answer

I‘ll wait.

All right.

Father.

Father

I‘ve been trying to contact you for hours

but I couldn‘t get through.

Ken-ichi

passed away

last night.

Yesterday during the day

Ken-ichi

was in high spirits.

He talked about you

and wanted to write you a letter.

He spoke. lwrote it down.

lwrote down...every word he said.

Shall I read it to you?

Do you want to listen to it now?

Please, read it to me Rie.

What do I want to say?

What should I say to my father?

I‘m asking myself.

I deeply regret refusing to see you

when you came to the hospital.

This feeling of regret

torments me more than my illness.

I‘ve been blaming you

ever since Mother‘s death.

Without any explanation

you moved away to a remote fishing village.

I thought then

you were trying to avoid facing reality.

To be honest

I‘ve been trying to escape it as well.

When you came to the hospital

lcouldn‘t face the distance between us.

People have never understood

my obsession with folk opera.

I‘ve been drawn to them

because they mirror my life.

I‘ve come to realize

that I‘m the actor behind

the mask.

I‘ve tried to fool myself

and everyone close to me.

My true feelings

have eluded me until now.

l have not allowed myself

to acknowledge them.

Father,

it‘s not the opera that is important.

lnow see

that loved ones

should not mask their true feelings for one another

I eagerly wait for your return.

Father

lwant us to embrace each other once again.

Mr Takata. Lingo.

Jasmine?

Hello Warden Chen.

Mr Takata.

I‘m sorry that last time

Li couldn‘t sing.

l‘ve organized more people this time

to create a crowd to cheer him on.

I hope it will go well today.

Li.

Yes, sir.

Tell Mr Takata what you want to say.

Mr Takata, I‘m sorry about last time.

I‘ll do my best this time.

Warden Chen

thank you for arranging this.

It‘s very kind of you.

Today, however

lam not here to film the opera.

I‘ve waited for two days

just to meet Mr Li.

May l have a few words with him?

Of course.

Mr Li

I‘ve been to Stone Village.

I‘ve met Yang Yang.

You saw Yang Yang?

He is a good boy. He really is.

Warden Chen

I‘ve taken some photos of his son.

Maylshow him?

What photos?

Photos of his son and the village.

Photos of his son?

Please show us.

That‘s all.

Sorry these are all l have.

Li

Mr Takata traveled a great distance

to take these photos for you.

Your son is a bright boy.

Everyone would agree with me.

He is really delightful.

You should thank MrTakata.

Thank you, Mr Takata.

Can you perform?

l‘ll sing to the best of my ability.

There is really no need to perform.

ldidn‘t come to film the opera today.

Mr Takata

l‘ve arranged the band

and the crowd.

A lot of men in our region

can sing mask opera.

I‘ve picked some good ones

to accompany him.

I hope you stay for the opera.

There‘s really no need for me to film it.

Let me put it this way.

You don‘t have to film it.

We invite you to be our audience.

We‘ll perform the opera.

Please, will you sit here and watch?

Mr Takata

thank you.

You are avery kind man.

So is your son, Ken-ichi.

l‘ll perform well.

Please film my performance

and show it to Ken-ichi.

Please tell him

to visit us again.

Mr Li

lwill film your performance.

Ken-ichi would be very pleased.

Thank you, Mr Takata.