Original subtitles

Peking has changed so fast.

In 20 years, it's become a modern city.

Almost nothing is as I remembered.

Change has wiped out my memories.

I can't tell what's imagined from what's real.

My stories always take place in summer.

People expose more of themselves in the heat

and find it harder to conceal their desires.

It seemed like it was always summer then.

The sun always had time to come out and accompany us.

The sunlight was so relentless,

so bright,

that our eyes were washed in waves of blackness.

In the Heat of the Sun.

In the raging storms of Revolution,

the soldiers' hearts turn towards the sun.

Oh, Chairman Mao, Chairman Mao.

We want to express our ardour to you.

Xiaojun! Xiaojun! Xiaojun!

You launched the Cultural Revolution

and your military victories are stunning.

Your brilliant thoughts are like dew and sunlight

that nurture our growth.

After the 9th Party Congress in 1969,

my father was sent to Guizhou as an army rep

to support the masses and implement military control and training.

I longed for a Sino-Soviet war.

I was sure

that in a new world war......

.....our army's iron fist would smash the Soviets and Americans.

A new war hero would become a legend--

that's me, of course.

Turn right!

March!

Hurry, wild goose hurry on your way.

With a letter from the liberated serfs under your wing

passing on love to Chairman Mao in Peking.

After my dad left,

I was freer than I'd ever been.

I always envied kids whose parents worked out of town.

Now I was one of them.

Give us a cheer, oh yeah, oh yeah

Rub that pole, oh yeah, oh yeah

Rub that hole, oh yeah, oh yeah

Stop......

Let's bet

who can toss his bag the highest.

What's the wager?

Ice pops.

Butter flavour.

Two.

Ok.

Let me go first!

No.

We'll start with Big Ant.

See if you can get it as high as the roof.

Ok,

go for it Big Ant.

1, 2, 3!

No good.

Your turn, Liu Sitian.

1, 2, 3

No good, no good!

Yang Gao, your turn.

1, 2, 3

Oh, look at that stupid thing!

Your turn, Monkey.

Watch out!

1, 2, 3

You are such a lazy bastard......

you even don't carry your bag yourself?

Come on!

-Big Ant! -Big Ant!

And so I graduated from primary school.

We were all sent to different high schools.

This was a policy of the school......

aimed at breaking up our little gangs.

But several years later......

Our families all moved to the same army compound......

and I was reunited with my mates.

Gooloomoo!

Gooloomoo!

Oo-ba!

Gooloomoo!

Oo-ba!

Gooloomoo!

Oo-ba!

"Don't bring home boys" is what I said.

And now I see stains on the bed.

So what the fuck's been going on?

You shameless slut, I'll kill you dead.

In the mid-1970s,

Peking didn't have so many cars or luxury hotels

or even that many people on the street.

The older kids were in the villages or army,

and this city belonged to us.

Time for class.

Attention.

Hello, students!

Hello, teacher!

Don't laugh.

It's a simple principle of physics.

Sit down.

Who said you could get up?

Take your seat!

I mean, first put that hat back and take your seat.

Yes, Mr. Hu.

Who's class monitor?

She is.

Get back here.

Who's asking you?

I am asking class monitor to identify herself.

After class, get rid of these coals.

Open your books to page 35.

Let's look at the Sino-Russian Treaty of Nerchinsk.

"Sino"

refers to the Qing dynasty,

"Russian"

refers to czarist Russia.

But Nerchinsk,

what is Nerchinsk?

It's the region east of the Baykal Lake.

Who did this? Who?

What's the meaning of this, huh?

Who?

It wasn't me. My hands are clean.

Hold up your hands, everyone.

Oh, Mr. Hu......

Speak up.

Never mind.

Speak up,

don't be afraid.

Maybe it was to keep the hat from flying off again.

It was well-intentioned. So don't be angry.

I'm asking who did it!

Well, I don't know.

Sit down.

Don't be angry, Mr. Hu.

Class is adjourned.

I shall get to the bottom of this!

Mr. Hu, Mr. Hu!

Would you mind tossing me my shoe?

Do you want me to wipe your ass in the toilet too?

Shall I help you put it on as well?

No.

Just toss it out here, please.

Get out of here!

You rotten apple!

Mr. Jiao!

Someone get Mr. Jiao of the Workers Propaganda Team here right now!

Jeez, Hu,

I try to be nice to you.

You won't even do me this small favor.

OK. Just you wait!

What a joke.

Wait for what?

What are you going to do?

Don't threaten me.

Fine, you just wait. I don't need that shoe.

Come back here!

Going to have someone beat me up?

Puncture my bicycle tyres? Stab me in the back?

No one wants your filthy shoe.

Attention! March in time!

Our leaders should rest assured, we will complete our mission.

8-5-1, 8-5-1, this is Yan'an, this is Yan'an.

Fire in my direction! Fire in my direction!

I was obsessed with keys

and started to make them.

At first I practiced on all the locks at home,

peering into my parents' secrets.

Then I began going into other people's homes.

Every time the lock opened with a click,

I was propelled into a realm of sheer bliss.

This feeling, only the Soviet army attacking Berlin in WWII

could have felt what I feel.

I can't hide it,

I got my talent from my father.

In the Korean War......

he worked out how to defuse countless American bombs.

Lots of people lost their lives that way.

But he came out of it without a scratch......

which is why Mom suspects that all his time in Korea

was spent hiding out in the caves.

I'd checked carefully and found everyone had little money.

The mod cons everyone demands today were unknown then.

Work units provided most of the furniture.

I can testify that at the time......

except for a very few politically suspect cadres,

there was virtually no corruption at all.

In all my exploits,

I only spotted one old Soviet black-and-white TV.

I considered stealing it,

but it was too heavy.

Besides, I vowed I'd only break in,

I wouldn't be a thief.

When I tired myself out,

I'd take a nap on the bed,

imagining what might have happened there.

I knew I'd never be caught,

'cause no one ever snuck out of their office then.

And I never stole anything,

so I didn't arouse any suspicion.

Of course, I ran into trouble from time to time.

But this didn't dampen my courage......

it only increased the thrill.

Usually, I only went for padlocks, they were safer.

But that day, something moved me to pick a built-in one.

Well, I'll be damned.

I'll be damned.

I'll be damned.

I'll be damned.

Well, Hu, you've fallen low!

This is Yu Beipei,

from the Foreign Ministry compound.

This is our mate, Ma Xiaojun.

Come on up!

That's Liu Yiku,

Liu Sitian's stepbrother......

just out of the army.

He was handsome

and fought dirty.

We thought he was terrific,

'cause he always brought girls to our compound.

We've played for quite a while, waiting for you.

Where did you go?

She was called Yu Beipei.

That "pei" is usually pronounced "bei"......

but we called her Yu Beipei......

and even she didn't know which was correct.

I didn't know you were waiting.

No one told me anything.

Had a date, did you?

Fuck you! You had a date.

Don't be embarrassed, Monkey!

Say it! Who had the date?

Me! Me!

Enough, enough.

What a thin skin!

What's so bad about having a date?

Wasn't it a date that brought me here today?

Who with?

Him.

Come, sit over here.

Just ignore them,

they've got dirty minds.

She's talking about you, Big Ant.

Ignorant fool! Filthy mind!

You waste all the previous efforts.

Now he's talking!

Forget it. Have a cigarette.

Yu Beipei......

next time bring Mi Lan with you.

We want to meet her.

You want to chat her up?

Find her yourself.

Haven't you said no girl can resist your charms?

Seriously,

we hear so much about her.

She's a legend.

Guys have fought over her,

friendships have ended, and some have died.

All we ask is that you introduce us.

Forget it. She's a proper sort.

I didn't say she wasn't!

Anyway, I've asked her,

and she said no.

The photo I discovered that day put me in a daze.

She filled my entire field of vision.

The implications of her expression

were bounded only by my imagination.

I had no idea the Mi Lan everyone talked about had something to do with the photo.

Gooloomoo!

Oo-ba!

We can see everything! Don't hide. Keep your clothes off.

Keep your clothes off.

Don't hide. We see everything.

Keep your clothes off. Don't hide.

A gang of bandits! What are you shouting about?

Get down.

Hooligan! What are you shouting about?

What are you looking at?

It's boring to see......

I've never seen anything before.

What are you yelling about?

What do you want to see?

Something you haven't seen before?

Well, I mean...

How'd you guys sleep last night?

There are only two beds.

I slept half the night in one and half in the other.

Monkey, did you come by earlier and knock?

No.

Admit it. It was you.

Put your bags down. Let's get some food from the canteen.

Someone stays and keeps me company.

Who do you want to stay with?

Mmm, you!

Why me again?

Let's go.

Come on in.

Are you a good kid at home?

Me? No way.

I'm really bad. I just look innocent.

When my teachers first see me, they all like me.

But they learn to hate me later.

What about you?

What do you reckon?

Are you still in school?

I've been out of school for ages.

I'm older than all of you. Like an elder sister.

But when you don't come home at night......

don't your parents get upset?

My dad gets furious.

He's disowned me heaps of times.

Dose he hit you?

Of course! Ties me up first.

That's a bit rough.

Can you blow smoke rings?

No, I mean yes.

Show me.

Watch me.

What's the matter? I blew a big one the other day.

You shouldn't stay outside all day long,

and sleep in boy's home.

We're really bad.

It would be awful if something happened.

Like what? What the hell more could happen?

And you think you guys would be the first. Jeez.

Eventually, she didn't manage to blow one smoke ring.

Neither did I.

I can't do it until now.

Gooloomoo!

Oo-ba!

Want one?

No.

There's no lipstick mark!

Chase him!

Catch him!

Catch him! Quick! Oh......

Are you OK, Yu Beipei?

Come on, get up.

Are you really hurt?

I'll bite you to death.

Let go, let go!

Let me go!

I'll slap you!

Let me go!

I'll get you, you little bastard!

Forget it, leave him alone, Yu Beipei.

Monkey, stay over there.

Bastard!

Beautiful flowers blossom across the land.

Honored guests are coming from distant places.

We sing the joyful song loudly.

Flowers of friendship blossom across the land.

Welcome! Welcome! Warmly welcome!

Welcome! Welcome! Warmly welcome!

Welcome! Welcome! Warmly welcome!

I was always hanging out around the building,

like a cat on a hot tin roof......

frantic for the girl in the picture to appear.

Like a ghost,

she came and went without a trace.

Only my intuition and a lingering fragrance......

could verify her existence.

I waited till the stars were high in the sky,

and still - nothing.

Look.

Looks like the ambassador.

How would you know?

He's with his wife.

But didn't the ambassador come yesterday?

That's right.

Didn't the ambassador come earlier?

Didn't look like this asshole.

How could you be so ignorant?

Korean ambassador isn't just one guy,

there's got to be two or three at least.

Maybe this one's from South Korea?

What the fuck would you know?

South Korea is America's.

We wouldn't even let him in.

Running dog!

Who's a running dog?

Cut out!

Hey, which country is she ambassador for?

That one.

Yu Beipei, go get her to come over here.

Have some soda.

What'd you say to her?

What business is it of yours?

Are you a dancer?

Yes.

At the Youth Palace?

Yes.

Can you tell me your name?

I'm Ma Xiaojun.

I'm Zhang Xiaomei. "Xiao" as in "dawn".

The "Xiao" in my name means "small".

These guys really are a pain.

Where do you think you're going?

I love music,

just wanted to see the concert,

that's all.

Just because you're a music lover you pretend to be a foreigner?

Pretend to be the Korean ambassador?

What's this?

What are you doing?

What's wrong?

What do you mean "what's wrong"?

What the hell......

What are you doing?

I did nothing.

Nothing? I've had my eye on you. Come on!

What'd I do? I did nothing.

Nothing?

And that girl there, you're coming in as well.

I didn't do anything!

Get a move on.

Your father's name.

Ma Wenzhong.

Your mother?

Zhai Ru.

Where do you live?

No.11 Internal Affairs Department Street.

What are you looking at? Turn around!

Just found this. What a menace!

Don't let that sort of thing slip by next time.

That gang's not going anywhere.

Carrying arms!

Gonna rebel, were they?

We'll take them to lock up this evening.

Guoqing! Hear that?

Yes.

Uncle, uncle, please let me go.

What are you crying about? Why are you caught?

I was waiting for tickets,

and they hauled me in.

Look at you, you think half of Peking is your turf.

If it's anyone's turf, it's ours.

Get that?

Yes.

Wipe the snot off your nose, beat it,

and don't show your face around here again.

Get that?

Go!

This isn't mine, that is.

You want it or not?

I want it.

If not, you're welcome to spend the night here.

I'm taking it! This one's fine!

Go fetch my belt.

My belt! Go get it!

Don't you think you're Mr. Tough?

Lost your nerve, have you?

Get up off your knees

and stop crying.

I don't buy that crap.

When I cry,

it's just to confuse you wimps.

If I pick up chicks, what business is it of yours?

I'm not after your mother.

I'm telling you, I'll be back to do it again tomorrow.

I'll be alone.

If you don't arrest me you can kiss my ass.

I'm the king of half of Peking

and of your station as well!

OK, wipe your nose, and beat it.

If you don't leave, you're welcome to spend the night.

Who's there?

Someone has bashed Yang Gao.

Fuck!

On his way home......

he saw some kids from Liutiao bullying the retarded boy.

They were making him eat cat shit

and trying to take away his pole.

Yang Gao went to his rescue

and they bashed him up.

He can't open his eyes. They broke the pole in half.

Let's go.

What about me?

Girls stay behind.

I wasn't involved, mate!

Out of my way!

Yang Gao......was he involved?

Let's go!

Monkey,

when'd you get to be such a thug?

What do you mean?

What you did with that brick? Even I was spooked.

It was dark. I couldn't see.

Otherwise I'd really have wasted him.

If you told Monkey he was fat he'd loosen his belt.

He's really full of himself now!

Monkey, I know how brave you really are, you bastard.

Would you have done that all on your own?

Sure!

You would?

Sure, why not?

Oh, sure, I fucking believe you.

Actually......

Actually what?

I don't think that kid was involved.

Fuck you!

Asshole! Why didn't you say so earlier?

Monkey bashed him with that brick

before I got a good look.

He's part of that gang.

What the hell!

Get out of my sight.

Who's there?

Yu Beipei.

Monkey,

you asshole.

I'm going to get you.

Come on out, then,

come on, get a move on.

You jerks.

Oh, shit!

Look at this. My clothes are soaking.

My arm was hurt.

Jeez, you're a pain.

Yu Beipei, you've got to get out of here.

No,

I won't.

I said, get out!

You bore me!

Hiding like that......

as if anyone wanted to look at you guys.

Oh, no! Those are my clothes!

I don't care whose they are.

Monkey,

this is all your fault!

He's erecting!

The bastard's got an erection!

You scumbag!

I have to pee.

Get outta here.

Hey!

Talking to me?

Haven't we met somewhere before?

Forget it, kid.

You're not old enough for this.

Wait, don't go!

Don't you live in that building?

Do you go to school down the street?

Yes, I've seen you

at the door of the police station.

You were with a policewoman.

Can we get to know each other?

Is that necessary?

Yeah.

I don't think so.

Why not be friends?

You're obviously a very bad boy.

Can't we just get to know each other?

Be an older sister to me.

Find your older sisters elsewhere.

If you won't be friends, I'll......

You'll what?

Beat me up?

Yeah.

You really think if we fought you'd win?

Kid,

come over here.

How old are you?

Sixteen.

Let me look at you.

No way you're sixteen. Liar!

And you? How old are you?

Older than you anyway.

You really want me to be your older sister?

Yes! How can I put it......

you're just like my sister.

You have a sister?

No.

What's your name?

Ma Xiaojun.

Really.

It's here on my schoolbag. Ma Xiaojun.

I'm not lying. And you?

Mi Lan.

You're Mi Lan?

So?

Nothing.

Uh, you don't spend much time at home?

How do you know?

You live at No.5. I've been to your building.

Go home before your parents decide to spank you.

Go home.

But I've still got something to say.

There's something I forgot.

Uh, have you been to Beihai Park?

Nice try but forget it, kid.

Time for little children to go home.

So, you will be my older sister?

Only if you do as I say.

I promise.

Then hurry home.

OK!

And no more picking up girls on the street!

I swear on Chairman Mao this was my first time.

Bye!

Bye!

Uh, I'm really coming to visit you!

You really are your father's son, you!

He's never at home

and neither are you.

You treat this place like a hotel

and me like a maid.

Aren't you something else!

Get me some water.

And a bowl!

Trying to scald me to death?!

No.

You make me so angry.

No, Mom.

I'll beat you up.

I'm going to give you a beating!

Don't, Mom.

I'll beat you to death.

No, don't hit me.

You're never coming home, you little son of a bitch.

You hang out with those bad kids.

Sooner or later you'll end up in jail,

and no one will sympathize.

This is a letter from your teacher.

Read it. Read it!

Other children come home to do their homework after school.

But you?

It's dark and you're still not home!

What's going on, huh?!

Why don't you be exactly like your father

and never come home?

Get out, go!

You're free,

go visit the police whenever.

Why don't you just move directly to the police station?!

I'm an educated woman with a proper upbringing,

but I've been a Military Family Dependent

since I married your dad.

Is that all I deserve? Me?

I'm so furious...... I'd like to burn down the house.

I can see your father in you and you in him.

Peas out of the same rotten pod you are.

If you were a chicken,

I wouldn't even eat your meat.

I hate you that much.

I hate you that much.

When have you ever done anything to make me proud?

You disappoint me.

I regret ever having had you,

you bastard.

I never hit or cursed anyone......

before your father and you came along.

Bastard!

Get out of here!...... Oh!...... Aaah!

In a fit of anger, my mother gave birth to my brother.

My mates and I took her to the army hospital

on the back of a bicycle cart,

'cause the driver couldn't get the jeep started.

I thought,

what sort of war-preparedness is this?

If the imperialists launched a surprise attack,

we'd be dead meat.

Mom always cursed Dad when she was beating me,

but her curses brought him home this time.

When I got older, I realized my brother's birth......

had to do with my breaking into Dad's drawer

and puncturing that big balloon.

That kid from Liutiao was in hospital for a month.

His mates sent word that there'd be a rumble on Monday......

at the Marco Polo Bridge.

We could each take more than 100 people.

I couldn't help feeling nervous......

and regretted trying so much to be a hero with that brick.

They demanded my participation.

I thought of Mi Lan.

I had to see her immediately.

Maybe it would be the last time!

The bastard's here. Let me go see him.

What for?

Act smart

and watch for my signal.

Are you Ma Xiaojun?

Yeah.

Was it you who hit him with a brick?

Yes.

What are you doing?

What's with you?

It's my fault.

Peace!

The rumble never got underway,

despite all the painstaking planning.

We went to the old Moscow Restaurant......

Brothers of the 4 Seas & 5 Continents,

the supreme virtue is - unity!

Cheers!

I discovered a rule.

With a dozen people, you can fight to the death.

With hundreds involved, the fight never gets going.

'Cause the more you drag in,

the more likely it is......

that the same people will be friendly with both sides.

We'd both gone for the most feared bully in Peking.

He had an awesome reputation,

and everyone knew the tales of his underhanded ways.

This was my first

and last encounter with him.

He was later killed by teenage punks who wanted to take his place.

All I remember is that his hand was so soft,

it was like a girl's.

So I got off without a scratch.

But something else was driving me completely mad......

I could never find Mi Lan, she seemed to be avoiding me.

Mi Lan.

Mi Lan!

Mi Lan!

Who's there?

Oh, it's you.

Come over here.

Why aren't you in school?

Teacher's sick.

We're having study period. I snuck out.

Have you come by before?

No.

Humph! Why not?

I've been busy with end-of-term exams......

I haven't had any time to come by.

I've been really busy.

And I was thinking,

where he's disappeared to?

Off meeting other "older sisters"?

No, no.

So have you met anyone new lately?

Seems like I have nothing better to do than stroll in the street!

No, definitely not.

OK!

Give me a hand, would you?

Sure.

Fetch that kettle of hot water from the hallway.

OK.

Careful, don't scald yourself.

No problem. Don't worry.

Let me help you rinse it.

OK.

Put in a bit of cold water first.

Oh, Ok.

Too hot?

No, go ahead.

It's so hot.

And summer's barely begun!

Can you swim?

No.

And you?

Yes. I'll show you some day.

Great.

If I fall into the water,

you can save me then.

You bet,

though you're a bit big for me,

so I'll have to work out a bit first.

Every day, in Shicha Lake.

What about school?

When I finish exams, we......

Put it over there.

Yeah, we can go there together.

Stand there, don't move.

OK.

What are you studying?

Huh? Studying?

Dunno......

I mean, how to make liquor......

and, uh, violins,

sesame paste, stuff like that.

Where do you learn those silly things?

From the workers and peasants!

We worked for a month in the liquor factory,

got into a big fight there,

200 of them,

but we won,

and now we always carry cleavers in our schoolbags.

This older kid was begging for mercy,

but we slashed him anyway.

Really?

Yeah.

So what do they test you on?

Liquor-making or fighting?

Sit down.

You kidding?

We were only there one month,

the rest of the time we are in the classroom.

And I usually find books to read.

What sort of books do you read?

How The Steel Was Tempered,

The Gadfly,

The Song Of Youth, Bitter Blossoms, that sort of thing.

Do you like the heroine Tonya?

I like Pavel,

but I like Tonya too.

It's a pity that she changed

and became bourgeois.

Have you finished all those books?

No.

Why not?

They're just old books without beginning or end.

What about "200 Songs"? You read that?

Of course!

200 Folk Songs From Abroad.

It's a songbook.

I can't read music. I just read the lyrics.

Why don't you teach me to sing them?

Sure, no problem.

Where do you work?

Really far away.

So you are not going there?

I'm just back, I usually stay there.

That's why you're never home.

So you have come to see me.

No.

Liar.

No.

My grandma told me you've come.

No way.

A kid would call out "Mi Lan"

and run when she opened the door.

That wasn't me.

Really.

Fine.

Anyway, I'm on sick leave.

Come visit when you have time.

What's wrong?

Mind your own business.

Isn't there a photo of you in a bathing suit?

Nonsense!

When have I ever worn a bathing suit?

It was hanging right there. I'm sure of it.

There was a photo, but I wasn't in a bathing suit.

Impossible! Show it to me.

A friend took it.

I'm positive you were in a bathing suit.

Such a stubborn kid!

Want to see?

Strange! I'm so sure.

Really?

Just like this one,

but with a bathing suit.

No?

Hanging right here.

Just tell me this, am I wearing a bathing suit?

No, you're not.

I don't get it.

It was hanging there, I remember it was in colour.

OK, why don't you take a photo of me like that sometime?

OK.

Can I keep this one?

No.

Come on.

No.

Why do you want my photo anyway?

You really won't give it to me?

No.

Then I'll steal it.

You'd dare!

Stop it!

Angry?

Don't be, really......

it's not good to take girls' photos.

Come over here.

I've got something for you.

Come here.

Here.

It's got three colours.

For a time I saw her practically every day.

To make myself look good......

I'd claim credit for things other people had done......

exaggerating and embellishing the stories with abandon.

My alleged evil deeds

matched neither my actual age nor experience.

She encouraged me, never looking shocked at anything I said.

I told her I'd learned how to make keys

and pick locks......

and broken into her house......

and played her spyglass,

and seen her photo,

and all she said was, "Really"?

Sometimes she'd fall asleep,

and I'd try my hardest not to stare at her body,

but my mind ran wild.

But wait......

My memory plays tricks.

I've confused realities with illusions.

Maybe she never fell asleep in front of me.

She may never have stared at me like that.

If not, why is her gaze and her sleeping figure

so deeply etched in my brain?

I took my last exam

and would have summer holidays in two days.

You shop for groceries? Like a little housewife.

A housewife I am then.

How else am I supposed to eat?

We are going to have summer holidays the day after tomorrow.

How wonderful to be a student, two holidays a year.

But if I don't go to school,

I might not be able to come every day.

Come on up.

No, I have to go.

I've been here waiting for you all afternoon.

Really? What's up?

Uh, when are you coming to visit me?

I'm not.

I have no desire to meet that gang of bad kids.

You haven't met them, how do you know they're bad?

Really, they're a lot of fun.

Some other time.

That's no good. It might be hard for us to get in touch.

Let's set a day now.

All right, then. What day's good?

Monday. Fewer adults around.

OK.

This is a map.

Just follow the arrow and you'll find it.

I'll be at the gate.

OK.

Slam it! Go!

Over here.

Give me a cigarette.

You always take advantage of us,

you never buy it yourself.

I'll give a pack back to you.

No.

Just one, please.

Get off.

Smoking at the gate......

just like a heavy smoker.

And Mi Lan will have a bad impression on you.

She'll think what kind of kids does Monkey play with?

Right? Monkey?

Is she really coming or is this a trick?

Yeah, Monkey, you've met a cheater.

Maybe she's not even Mi Lan.

Why don't you wait inside

and stop clogging up the view?

OK, we'll be behind the hill.

Let's go.

Gooloomoo!

Oo-ba!

Gooloomoo!

Oo-ba!

Oo-ba!

Can I stay here with you, Monkey?

OK, if you don't mess around.

What does she look like? Pretty?

Why don't you just go with the others?

No, tell me, I can help you look out for her.

No.

Hey?

Hey?

Is that her?

Yes.

Why'd you come from that direction?

I lost my way because of your dumb map.

Map?

This way.

They're waiting by the pavilion.

I've seen you before.

You work at the same farm as Yu Beipei.

Yes.

We're good friends with Yu Beipei.

Really?

She knows a lot of people.

This is Liu Yiku, whom I've told you about.

This is his brother Liu Sitian.

This is Big Ant, you've just met.

Where's Yang Gao?

Buying ice pops.

There's one more. They're all my pals.

Not a bad place you live in.

Give me a hand, Ant.

This is Yang Gao.

What took you so long?

Hi.

This is Mi Lan.

Hi.

Have an ice pop.

Thanks, I was dying of thirst.

It's dangerous to come this way.

It's a short cut.

Know which film's on tonight?

Which?

"Lenin in 1918".

Really? Great.

Vasily......!

Quick, take this.

Quick go tell Kerensky......

Bukharin and Trotsky are traitors.

They want to assassinate Lenin.

It's all right.

Bastard, die already.

That girl really looks like an old trooper,

her ass is round from too much fucking.

I'll kill you!

Do you think she's good looking?

You bet.

Have you made a move yet?

What d'ya reckon?

Get one for me, too, please, please.

Please. One for me too.

Get up!

Shit, hold it right there!

If only you could play the violin.

My dad's cultural troupe needs a violinist.

Can't you play the violin if you play pipa?

They're different.

You pluck one and use a bow on the other.

Mi Lan!

Don't join his dad's troupe whatever you do.

His father would ravage you first off.

Monkey, sure you're not thinking of your dad?

He's the one who got demoted for "bad behaviour".

Your dad! It was yours!

He has two wives,

one in the country, and one here.

That's why you're Sitian - "thinking sweetness" and he's Yiku - "recalling bitterness".

Monkey's insulting your dad -- shall we beat him up?

Forget it, let's do him a favor today.

Enough, already, no need for panic.

I'm not going to join the troupe today.

So do you really want to join the army?

Yes.

Try out for "The Soldiers' Friends" troupe.

I'm aiming for "Political Headquarters".

Mi Lan, if you play pipa, you can play the guitar, can't you?

More or less.

We've got a guitar. I'll go get it.

Keep your pants on.

I want to fly!

I want to fly into the skies all the way to the Kremlin.

To Leningrad.

Fly! Fly!

Why sit down?

Fly!

I want to ascend the heights and revel in the view.

Monkey seems a bit different today.

He's talking poetically.

Really?

Stop scaring us like that.

Didn't he say he wanted to ascend the heights?

This isn't a "height"!

Is there anyplace higher in this compound?

Yes, the smokestack, over there.

That's a height!

Yang Gao, don't stir me up.

Unless you want to try it.

You go and we'll watch.

I didn't say I wanted to ascend the heights.

Has anyone ever climbed to the top?

I have!

Really! You're really something!

Show us!

Forget it.

Come on, show her!

We'll give you two packs of cigarettes.

Get lost. Just two?

Plus two packs of filters.

There were four packs, get there.

But I've been up there before.

A hero doesn't bring up his past glories.

Don't rest on your laurels, make new contributions!

Why don't you do it?

How about this --

four packs of filter tips,

plus two packs of Cathay?

You serious?

Ma Xiaojun!......

Ma Xiaojun!......

He's really going to do it!

No way. He doesn't know how to get up there.

Rolls of barbed wire are blocking the ladder.

Ant, he can't get there, right?

He's just trying to scare us. Don't worry.

He'll be back in no time.

Vasily!

There he is!

Vasily!

Is that really Monkey?

How did he get there?

Vasily!

Get down from there, now! Monkey!

Vasily!

Don't move, Monkey!

Get down from there, now!

Coming!

Shit!

Come down, Monkey!

Don't throw it!

Come down!

You mad?

We're all excellent shooters

and each bullet annihilate an enemy.

Monkey!

Monkey!

Monkey!

Ma Xiaojun!

Stop shouting, you'll startle him.

and each bullet annihilate an enemy.

Smoke!

Ma Xiaojun, where are you?

Go buy my cigarettes!

Go buy my cigarettes!

Go buy my cigarettes!

Go buy my cigarettes!

Mi Lan, don't go away.

Stay for the film tonight.

Everyone said I was charmed.

No one talked about supernatural powers then......

otherwise I would have been famous.

Later I figured out that it was the upward draft

and years of accumulated ashes that saved my life.

You scared us to death.

You're not even scratched!

Amazing!

Cat got your tongue?

What a temper!

If you won't talk to me, I'll be off.

What temper?

So you really like talking with strange boys?

What do you think?

Dunno.

I think you're jealous.

Come on, what sort of girl do you think I am?

Who's jealous?

What were you talking about with Liu Yiku, anyway?

Nothing!

About joining the army, he said he'd help.

You never told me you wanted to join the army.

You meet him once and tell him everything.

Fast mover.

What was I supposed to do?

Just sit there?

You ask me here, and then you ignore me.

You just play heroes of "Lenin in October" with Big Ant.

That's "Lenin in 1918".

Whatever, "Lenin in 1918".

But that's no excuse for ignoring me.

Oh, Dad?......

Uh, this is my father.

This...... this is......

Hello, Uncle.

our teacher.

Oh, how do you do?

I'll be off then.

Bye, Ma Xiaojun. Bye, Uncle.

Bye.

Oh, little comrade,

what is your name again?

Mi Lan.

Is there anything else, sir?

Uh, no, that'll be all.

Then I'll be going.

OK.

Bye.

Bye.

Get my overcoat.

Why do you need that on such a hot day?

I said get my overcoat.

OK.

Here it is, Dad.

Sit down.

So where does this teacher of yours really work?

She works...... at our school.

New, is she?

Yes.

Where's she from?

Somewhere in the west city,

er, Xidan, yeah, Xidan.

What does she teach?

Uh, a bit of everything.

She's making home visits,

probably seeing the others now.

Teacher my ass!

What teacher calls me "uncle"?

You'd lie to your old man?

You've got nerve!

Take off that uniform.

Liar. I saw through you right away.

You're a bad student, disobedient,

and now you've got a girlfriend.

What girlfriend? She just came to wash her face.

Wash her face?

You think I couldn't see her blushing?

Don't forget I'm your father.

I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice!

If she's not your girlfriend, what is she?

Puppy love!

That's not allowed.

Where's she from?

Forget it. I have no time for this.

Tell your mother I've been sent to Inner Mongolia.

It's an urgent mission.

When'll you be back?

In a month.

Want to get into mischief while I'm away? How dare you.

Chief of Staff Ma!

Time to go!

Coming!

This is this month's salary.

Give it to your mother.

Don't upset her.

I'll say that once more.

These two Yuan are for you.

Don't blow money.

Don't go bringing girls back here.

OK.

Never lie to me again.

All right, I'm off.

Yang Gao!

Yang Gao!

Yang Gao!

Comrades, comrades, quiet down!

There's been a technical problem, the film is on fire,

so we'll move to the second film "Lenin in 1918".

Liu Yi Ku!

Liu Sitian!

Vasily!

Vasily!

Quick, go save Lenin!

Yang Gao!

Yang Gao!

Careful, it's poison!

Careful, it's poison!

Shit, where were you bastards?

Where the hell did you go?

I've been looking all over for you.

I've been looking for you, too

Let's go.

Why do you come so late?

I've looked for you for a while.

Comrades!

Comrades!

Some children have snuck into the theatre......

We apologize for temporarily stopping the film.

Where are the kids?

Everywhere.

I didn't see them.

Stand up, stand up all of you.

How did this happen?

Who was watching the door?

None of these children entered through the door!

This film is under criticism,

it is extremely poisonous......

children could be led astray by it to commit major crimes.

That's it for the film.

Just let their parents take them home.

The moonlight stirs my heart on this enchanted evening.

With my sweetheart by my side.

Only the wind softly singing......

The moonlight stirs my heart on this enchanted evening.

The long night is quickly receding under the misty dawn.

I wish you well, girl, with all my heart

and hope that neither of us will ever forget

this evening on the outskirts of Moscow.

You sleeping?

No.

Why haven't you said anything?

You haven't either.

Why don't you try to sleep?

I'd fall off.

Hold on to my waist.

Is that appropriate?

Yes.

That was the most perfect day of my life.

The morning breeze raised goosebumps on my skin......

and my whole body tingled.

I remember the delicious smell of burning weeds.

But who'd be burning weeds in summer?

Whatever the truth is......

in my memory, everything that happened that summer

is accompanied by the the scent of burning weeds.

Here it is, Xiaojun.

Look, from here on, it's all our farm.

Oh?

Thanks for carrying me all that way!

I can take you further if you like.

No need, I can cut through this orchard.

Go home and get some sleep.

Bye!

Bye!

Who are you?

Stay away!

Comrade Monkey, I've been looking for you.

Cat got your tongue?

The situation is so tense, how can you sleep here?

It's you?

Yes, get up!

OK.

Lie down!

Don't move! Enemies.

What?

Look!

Oh, you're Mi Lan!

Yes, call me Comrade Mi Lan.

Where's my bicycle, Comrade Mi Lan?

I've put it over there, for safekeeping.

Stop! Comrades!

We are not home.

We should be very careful.

Hold your fire.

Sneak to the village.

OK.

Let's go.

They call each other "comrade" too?

It's to fool the masses!

Wait, they're riding my bicycle!

Don't be ridiculous, Comrade Monkey.

Your bike's in the tree.

That's a specially-made bicycle mine!

Take this rope.

Give it a tug when the battle begins.

It will test your courage. Listening?

I pledge to carry out my mission faithfully.

Invading forces! Have a taste of the People's bullets!

Shit! Why hasn't it gone off?

Ma Xiaojun! Hurry!

Pavel!

Tonya, did you refuse to work?

Mi Lan, ignore him and follow me.

I'm so sad, Tonya.

How can you hang out with people like Liu Yiku?

Take me!

Take me!

Guerrillas!

Mi Lan!

What did I say when I was leaving?

Mi Lan, hurry up!

What's wrong? Ma Xiaojun, you're crying in your sleep!

What? Mi Lan, I dreamed you died.

I'm so glad you're alive.

God! I was devastated.

You really do care, don't you?

Sorry, I really have to find a place to pee.

Come and see! Come on! Come and see!

Don't follow me!

- Come and see! - How can you be so filthy-minded?

Come and see!

Come and see! Haha! Come on!

Come and see! Haha! Come and see!

Come on!

Please, I beg you.

Come and see!

How can you be so filthy-minded?

Come and see!

-Kid! Get up! -How can you be so filthy-minded?

Are you OK?

I would rather sleep than awake.

Kid! Get up!

Are you OK? Get up!

Kid, are you OK?

Where's Mi Lan?

Poor kid, you're all confused from sleep.

No one here but us two, certainly no "Mi Lan".

I've had the same dream ever since.

I'm not sure why, even the doctors can't explain it.

I saw Mi Lan again in my dreams last night.

Dad!

Mom's father died.

They said Grandpa "committed suicide to escape punishment".

He was condemned with four labels:

"landlord", "capitalist", KMT member and "counterrevolutionary".

After the Cultural Revolution started, his home was ransacked for gold and documents.

Tortured physically and mentally, he died in anger.

Later I learned my parents' marriage was not approved by their superiors

because they belonged to different classes.

But they refused to heed the warnings and went ahead with it anyway.

So it hurt dad's career prospects.

Mom also lost her teaching job

and became a Military Family Dependent.

And her temper got worse and worse.

During my preschool age, I lived with my grandparents.

I couldn't understand how he could have been an enemy of the proletariat.

After Grandpa's death,

Mom became sullen.

I went back to my wicked old ways.

The first thing I did after my return was to look for Mi Lan.

Mi Lan!

Who's there?

Who's there?

Don't run!

Don't cry!

Gooloomoo

Oo-ba!

Ma Xiaojun.

Oh, Monkey!

Where did you come from?

Haven't seen you for days! We missed you.

I missed you guys too.

Something happened at my grandparents' home,

Really?

and I went back to Tangshan with my folks.

I've been looking for you.

I have a great idea.

What?

You have a great idea?!

When did you learn to boast?

You've just noticed, have you?

Just.

I didn't know you like boasting before.

I hid it deep inside.

What else are you hiding?

You want to know now?

Yes, right now.

Then, I'll tell you......

Go on.

You really want to know?

Nonsense.

Oh, Ma Xiaojun! Come over tonight!

Do you think I'm awkward and fat?

You're a fat cow.

What?

I said, you're fatter now.

Can't get ivory from the mouth of a dog!

Can't get ivory from a person's mouth, either.

Can you produce ivory from your mouth?

Mi Lan!

He wants you to watch him dive.

Yeah? I don't want to watch.

Oh, right, Ma Xiaojun.

He annoys me.

Actually, my waist is a bit thick.

Not just your waist.

Look at those legs, that tummy,

and here!

Export quality!

I am a bit fat.

Do you think I should be wearing this bathing suit?

Does it expose too much of me?

Nothing I can't see when you're not wearing one.

What?

What do you mean?

Never mind, you'd be angry.

Tell me! I won't be angry.

It's like you've just given birth to a baby.

Ma Xiaojun!

I'm not speaking to you.

Mi Lan, come on in!

No, you come here.

How about ten-meter platform?

I can't dive.

Mi Lan,

come here and I'll teach you.

Come on!

Ma Xiaojun, you're a beast.

Fuck off!

Hey, kid, come here.

Ignore him.

Are you Liu Yiku?

Yes.

Is Mi Lan your chic?

Yes.

Brother Biao, don't you know each other?

Liu, let me introduce you.

This is the famous Brother Biao.

It's no big deal.

I'm just asking.

If that's the case, we will go.

OK. See you around, pal!

Let's go.

Mi Lan!

Who's that Brother Biao guy?

You really want to know?

Forget it.

Every time I asked about him,

she told me to drop it.

Later I heard they were once very close......

and that he lost his eye on her account.

From that day on,

Liu Yiku openly took Mi Lan as his chic.

August 23rd was Romanian Liberation Day......

and my and Liu Yiku's birthday.

We were born the same day, different year.

That night, we went to the Moscow Restaurant.

You are coming.

Hello!

Hi! You look gorgeous!

Seeing everyone together here is truly heartwarming.

Ha! Truly heartwarming!

Look what I've brought the birthday boys.

Are your hands clean?

Check them out.

OK.

Wow! Pushkin's poetry!

Cool!

Feels like the May 4th Movement!

Get outta here.

Won't he look sharp skating in that?

Really sharp.

No chick will be able to resist his advances.

Wrong - they'll surround him. No need to advance.

No good, no good, that's too dangerous.

If they surround him, the ice will crack......

......give that to me, it's safer.

Thank you.

Look at you. You just said "thank you" and that's it?

What else should I do?

Think about it.

Open yours, Ma Xiaojun.

Wow, she really takes care of you!

For once you've said something clever.

Try it on.

The waist looks right.

Then it'll fit, won't it?

Not necessarily. Try it on.

-Try it on! -Try it on!

Fuck! Rogues.

Ignore them. Just practice your swimming.

I'm still counting on you to save me.

Well, then no need to thank you.

It's only so I can save you, after all.

Consider Liu Yiku's deeply felt thanks from both of us.

You are a jerk.

Fine, if that's what you think.

Comrade, could you bring us our food?

We've all arrived.

Or at least some water first?

Can't that waitress speak?

Let's have some fun first.

How? What's fun?

Think! You've always got lots of ideas!

Let's play "find the hanky".

We can use Monkey's red swimming trunks.

Then that's "find the trunks".

I've got a game.

You're not allowed to ruin your gift!

Relax, we don't need it.

Who's got a coin?

I have.

How do you play?

Is one enough?

Gambling?

No, it's a test of your honesty and courage,

and whether you are a virgin!

OK! Let's do it!

I'm putting the coin here.

Each time I ask a question......

you have to answer truthfully and succinctly

after pulling out the coin.

OK.

All right?

No dirty tricks, all right?

OK.

First question:

how old are you?

No good, can't tell you.

Older than you guys anyway.

I'll let you pass this time.

But when's your birthday?

It's......

Pull out the coin first.

Right. Big Ant remembers.

What's the date?

January 1st, same as the year itself.

That's much cooler than Romanian Liberation Day!

Second question. Give me back the coin.

How old were you when you had your first boyfriend?

Uh...... 16.

That's young!

Third question.

What did your boyfriend say to you on the first date?

What did he say?

That's so tight! I can't pull it out!

What?

That's so tight, I can't pull it out!

Monkey, you are a beast.

You are so bad!

I had never seen it before.

What are you hitting my head for?

I'm not your son.

I was dumb to begin with, but it gets worse with every hit.

What's wrong, Ma Xiaojun?

Don't touch me!

Mao Xiaojun, What's going on?

Don't touch me!

Ma Xiaojun,

you're angry.

No, why should I be angry?

So why are you so upset?

Who's upset? Not me!

What did I ever do to make you behave like this to me?

Nothing, you've been great.

Ma Xiaojun,

everyone was having a good time.

You can tease others,

but you freak out as soon as someone touches you.

I use my wit, not my hands.

I don't care if you tease me.

You're not being very nice.

I'm not a nice person.

I mean, you're not as nice to me as you used to be.

I'm exactly the same to you as I was before!

You were not like this before.

You were not like this before, either.

Are you sick of me?

So what if I am?

What if I'm not?

If you're not, I'll stay for your birthday.

If you are, I'll go.

Hey!

Comrade Waitress! Can't you bring us our food?

We're so hungry, we're getting cranky.

Then go.

Can I ask why?

No reason.

Ma Xiaojun, calm down.

Drop it.

No. Let her go!

Our food's almost here.

Hunger's put us on edge.

Forget it, OK?

You still haven't left?

Didn't you say you'd go? Fuck off!

I'd better go then.

Just sit down.

Ma Xiaojun, let her stay, OK?

Do me a favor.

No way.

I'll take on anyone who's on her side.

Ma Xiaojun, stop being an asshole.

I don't have the patience to deal with you.

Fuck you, it's you who piss me off!

I'll slap you.

I'll get you!

You're dead!

Don't believe any of it.

I never did anything so "heroic" in my life.

I keep reminding myself to tell the truth.

But no matter how I try,

something keeps interfering.

I discovered sadly

that there's just no way to return to the original truth.

My memories are changed by my emotion,

then play with me and betray me,

throwing my mind into such disarray.

I can't tell the true from the false.

Now I suspect that the first meeting with Mi Lan was fabricated.

Actually I never saw her on the street then.

That afternoon, Liu Yiku told Big Ant and I

to wait for Mi Lan at the gate,

that was the first time we met.

That's why Big Ant and I played Vasily

and didn't talk a lot to her.

Because I hardly knew her.

In fact, I never really knew her.

My God...

Is Mi Lan the girl in the photograph?

And why did Yu Beipei suddenly disappear?

Maybe she and Mi Lan were the same person?

I really dare not think about it.

I started telling this story in all sincerity,

but despite my mighty and resolute efforts, it turned into a lie anyway.

Is that a reason to give it up?

No! Absolutely not.

And you wouldn't want me to, either......

Now I know the situation of someone who keep lying.

True honesty is impossible.

Listen,

sometimes a sound or a smell

can take you back to the actual past.

Now my head is as lucid as a bright moon.

So I'll continue our story,

never mind whether it's the truth or not.

I remember on the day of my birthday

nothing had happened at all.

Liu Yiku and I had a great time

taking turns toasting Mi Lan.

Oh yeah, Yu Beipei was there too.

I almost forgot.

There were stacks of gifts.

Mi Lan was particularly kind to me,

seeing me with that piercing gaze of hers.

Later we all got very drunk.

So many times,

she tore off my clothes......

and I tore off hers.

But after that,

I didn't know what to do.

Do you believe it?

Yes, I do.

But I can hardly advise you.

We are both like this.

Neither of us can advise the other.

Do you think I'm a real sleaze?

Of course not,

though you're taking a real risk.

You're so lucky she hasn't gotten pregnant.

You're right.

I just felt

that she was bolder than me!

Mi Lan!

Mi Lan!

Mi Lan!

Mi Lan!

Mi Lan!

Mi Lan!

Mi Lan!

Mi Lan!

Mi Lan!

Ma Xiaojun?

What is it?

What's wrong?

Tell me, what's wrong?

I like you!

What?

What did you say?

My bike fell into the ditch.

The rain stopped and the sky cleared up,

it seemed that nothing had happened.

I tried to remind her of that,

but she didn't have any reaction.

She still treated me with kindness and courtesy.

Is it possible that what happened that night wasn't real?

But the part where I was injured still hurts!

Ma Xiaojun.

What are you doing?

Let me go!

Let me go right now!

Is this how you get your kicks?

You bet.

Mi Lan and I were no longer friends.

Soon,

I was shunned by the others.

I passed my days in bitterness and pain.

Two months later, Mi Lan stopped hanging out with us.

At the end of the year, Liu Yiku went back to the army

and found a proper girlfriend.

Later, we all went into the army separately.

I heard that in the border war with Vietnam,

Liu Yiku suffered from shell shock.

Afterwards

we all lost touch completely.

Who's that?

Isn't that ...?

It's "Gooloomoo"!

Oh, right! Gooloomoo!

Gooloomoo!

Hey! Gooloomoo!

Gooloomoo!

Gooloomoo!

Gooloomoo!

Idiots!