Original subtitles

Produced by: Tianma Shanghai Film Studio

Woman Basketball Player No. 5

A story about a Women's Basketball Team

Scenarist and Director: Xie Jin

Photography: Huang Zhaofen, Shen Xilin

Assistant Director: Qiang Ming Music Composer: Huang Zhun

Art designers: Wang Yuebai, He Ruiji Sound: Lu Zhongbai, Liu Guangjie

Editor: Wei Chunbao Make up: Wang Tieshan

Basketball advisor: Zhu Ya'ai Production director: Ding Li

Music conductor: Chen Gexin

Music performed by Shanghai Film Symphony Orchestra

Cast: Tian Zhenhua... Liu Qiong

Lin Jie... Qin Yi Lin Xiaojie (No. 5)... Cao Qiwei

Lao Meng... Yu Mingde Lin's father... Cui Chaoming

Tao Kai... Wang Qi Gentleman... Jin Chuan

Tao's mother... Lin Zhen Zhu Aiping (No. 3)... Wang Zhifang

Wang Aizhu (No. 9)... Xiang Mei Tang Shibao (No. 10)... Lu Jingsu

Cao Xiaodi (No. 12)... Gong Deren Xu Zhenzhen (No. 7)... Li Tianxiu

Wang Simei (No. 6)... Li Shuqing Li Xiuqing (No. 11)... Huang Shafei

Yang Suqing (No. 8)... Yang Aifen Chen Zhifang (No. 4)... Qin Jian

Song Minzhang (No. 15)... You Suxiang Xie Meifen (No. 14)... Peng Jiaoru

One meter sixty-seven point eight.

One meter sixty-six, one meter ninety-four.

Comrade Lao Meng, Comrade Lao Meng, where do our women basketball players live?

You can ask your leader. Everything is ready.

Lao Meng!

Ah, wait a minute.

We waited for a long time. You're finally here!

Because the Southwest didn't let me go.

You are getting fatter than ever. What about your work?

I'm the same as before. I do everything.

Did you come alone?

Yes.

You are still single.

Lao Meng!

Ok, Ok, Ok!

I'll come back as soon as I arrange things.

Mind your business first.

- Your baggage? - In the janitor's room.

I will call somebody to get it.

Thank you. Come here.

I bought real Luzhou Daqu wine for you.

Oh, I am ready to give up drinking wine.

Give it up afterwards.

Hey, tell you what, it seems our coach has arrived.

Yes, yes, I saw the coach come. He is looking for his room.

This room has been reserved for several days,

just waiting for you.

You should get married. If not, it will hinder your work.

These girls won't welcome me, will they?

These girls are hard to coach. They are very naughty.

Team leader Fang, Team leader Fang, our comrade Lao Fang!

Gather in the playground. Your coach is coming.

Ok, let's go.

Go downstairs.

It seems they really welcome you.

Don't get too tough on the girl players.

You should try other means to tame them.

As everyone knows, Comrade Tian Zhenhua is a former athlete.

He's returned to Shanghai from the Southwest Military District.

He has more than ten years of experience coaching basketball.

Oh, I forget to tell you

that he has no experience with a woman's team.

It is the first time for him to teach women in his life.

It's not long before the national women's match. From today on,

you must follow Mr. Tian's instructions and train hard. Don't be naughty any more.

Well, it's your turn to make a speech.

I forgot the first words I wanted to say because of your warm applause.

I don't know what to say. Let's introduce each other first.

- Zhu Aiping - Yes!

The team leader.

- Wang Aizhu. - Yes!

- Tang Shibao. - Yes!

- Xu Zhenzhen - Yes!

- Wang Simei - Yes!

- Li Xiuqing - Yes!

- Song Minzhang - Yes!

- Yang Suqin - Yes!

- Chen Zhifang - Yes!

- Cao Xiaodi - Yes!

Which team are you from?

The Third Women's Summer Team.

Lin, Lin Xiaojie.

She just finished graduation exams yesterday, and hasn't come yet to register.

Oh, I see.

Lin Xiaojie, one meter seventy, seventy-eight.

Let's go.

Wow!

Xiao Lin, Xiao Lin, Let's play!

Go, Let me help you!

Let me do it myself.

Coach, this is Lin Xiaojie, and this is our new coach, Mr. Tian.

Mr. Tian.

Where should I put these things?

Follow me.

Let's go.

He is a newcomer, a well-known basketball coach.

I see!

She is very qualified.

Yes!

You help her with the baggage, I'll go downstairs.

Xiao Tang, come here.

Help me with this accordion...

You've brought so many books. I don't know how you'll finish reading them.

I don't know how to help you if your mum finds out

you've come to play basketball.

My mum is not like you who always rattle on forever.

Have I already told you?

I will take the university entrance examination

after finishing the basketball match.

Suzhou candy!

Hey, Sister Tang treats us to candy!

Hey, this is really delicious!

Who did it?

Oh, I'm sorry. It's me.

Leave it alone.

This is my bed.

What?

My bed.

Yours?

Of course it is mine.

It doesn't have your name on it.

Such a big accordion here, can't you see?

I, I fear the heat, I want to sleep here!

You fear the heat? Who doesn't like it cool?

Ok. Don't quarrel. Don't quarrel.

It's not good for you to quarrel since we've just arrived.

I don't like to quarrel with her.

Oh, I like to quarrel with you.

Don't say that. I'll give you my upper bunk,

do you agree?

No. It's unnecessary.

Didn't you say you're afraid of the heat? It's cool when you open the window.

Xiao Di, come help me.

I think it makes no difference where I sleep.

Xiao Lin.

Xiao Lin, be careful.

It is you.

I'm going now. I hand the team over to you.

I'll go to the worker's team. I will stay there as a coach.

When will we hold a basketball match?

Well, tell us when you are sure of the time. - Ok.

I'm off now. Goodbye.

Coach Tian?

Yes.

Good ball.

How long have you played?

For three years.

Have you liked sports since you were little?

I was the leader of the school team in middle school,

now I am the leader of the training team.

Do your family members play basketball?

In my home, they're opposed to my playing ball.

Coach.

Hurry up, hurry up!

It is no use, take it away, quick.

Hey, please help me.

Put it here.

Ladies, you're working hard! Tonight I'll treat you.

Get up quickly! Don't make noise!

Simei, Simei!

Hurry up, comrades!

Welcome coach!

Coach, what do you think?

Thank you very much!

Whose is it?

It's mine.

Yours? What do you do with it?

Wash clothes.

I know it is for washing clothes. Do you wash yourself?

Of course. Don't you wash by yourselves?

But you are a man!

I've washed for many years.

I am used to it. I wash whenever I have time.

Coach Tian, where is your family?

Family? This is my family.

Hey, coach, haven't you gotten married yet?

Come see! Look, it's very funny!

Coach, do you still play with these?

These stand for our Shanghai team, we assume the attack toward the south,

We will play with these more thoroughly later.

Hey, Hey, Look. It looks like Xiao Lin, doesn't it?

Coach, is this you?

What?

Oh, Nothing! Let's eat.

Thanks.

Attention.

Hello, comrades!

Hello, coach!

Report, all twelve are present.

Two players are late. From now on, finish eating before our exercises.

At ease. As we will take part in the National match,

we should pay more attention to our exercises.

In the first stage we will develop physical strength and basic techniques.

Your physical development is not sufficient.

What about you two?

Report. Very good.

- How about you? - Just so- so.

Right.

Front.

Backward.

Rest for a while.

He is so terrible.

We cleaned the room for him yesterday.

Don't drink any water!

I'm rinsing my mouth.

Can't I drink a little?

Although you are comfortable drinking,

your heart can't bear the strain.

It you cannot be strict with yourself,

how can you be a sportswoman and national player?

I am afraid I cannot be.

Don't say this...

Coach, I think you regard us as a men's team.

Ah, ah, ah, sexual equality!

Who looks like you, like a cow?

Very well said!

I'll tell you what. If you feel the exercises are too hard,

we can reduce them.

But we cannot drink a drop of water.

There's no difference between men and women.

What do you think? Is he right?

Lin Xiaojie, your letter.

Xiao Lin, hurry up.

Coach.

What's the matter? Please wait a minute.

Do you take this plant to the veranda every evening?

Yes. I do.

Look, there is no water.

Do you like orchids too?

My mother likes them.

She never leaves the plate short of water.

The root of the orchid is sweet, and she likes to eat it.

Oh, coach. There is something I'd like to talk over with you.

- I want to go to Suzhou again. - What for?

I heard from my mother.

She won't let me play basketball here.

Why?

This summer vacation I want to take the university entrance examinations.

My mum asked me to return to Suzhou to review my lessons.

Didn't you tell your family that this training

is for participation in the national match?

It is no use to tell her. She is against me playing basketball.

Your condition is quite good. Yesterday your team leader said

the school would recommend you for the Physical College.

But I don't want to go.

Don't want to?

I like playing basketball. But I won't to go to the Physical College.

I don't want to make a living in sports.

Oh. But why?

My schoolwork isn't bad. I can pass the examination to enter some better university.

What? Students who enter the Physical College

aren't good at schoolwork?

In the Physical College, they like jumping and playing,

it is unimportant whether they learn their lessons well or not.

Who told you this?

Some people say so.

Your mother doesn't agree. How about your father?

Don't mention my father. I have only my mum.

Coach, how about my request?

Well, you can go. Anyway, you also understand the meaning of this match.

Go back to talk with your mum.

Then I will leave at noon.

Ok.

My mother likes them... I only have my mum.

5 is No. 5... Lin Xiaojie, her daughter...

Hey, enter the field, enter the field. Be ready to enter the field.

Tian Zhenhua, Tian Zhenhua!

Don't worry! After I turn on the light, you can go upstairs.

- Looks like you just got off the train. - Yes!

- You brought it from Suzhou? - Yes.

You fell down again. This is your third time.

It is daytime. You are sleeping again.

Tlhere is nothing to do in the daytime. Why not sleep?

To tell the truth, I am wondering whether the spectators

that watch a ball match believe that a famous player

like you lives in such a place.

Famous player? Hey, in your father's eyes,

we are a only batch of goods that he spends money to buy.

Drunk again?

Yes!

Let me put it on the window so that it takes in some dew.

What happened in Suzhou?

I absolutely won't go with Father.

So you?

I want to stay with my grandmother in Suzhou,

so I can study in Shanghai, and also often get together with you.

I never forgot that match.

We played very well for the Shanghai team. But just at this time,

our boss betrayed us. He asked us to lose.

Tian Zhenhua, come on!

Come on!

Come on!

Don't lose. We must win. Come here.

Hey, hey, hey, Number 7. Number 7.

How about it? Let's go.

How wonderful this match was!

Must he have surgery?

He is hurt very badly. Please go to the general affairs section to pay the fees.

Doctor, can I pay later?

This is not my business.

Please take these, after surgery I'll try to get the rest.

He was hurt very badly.

This is the surgery form.

The hospital is not responsible if some accident happens.

We need the signature of a family member.

Hey! It must be signed by a family member.

I am his wife.

Is this her own intention?

Yes.

Here is 500 dollars, which she took from her own dowry to help you.

We all know you are in difficulty.

Please return it to Lin Jie. I wouldn't like to hinder her future.

Lin Jie didn't see me any more. I couldn't understand

why she returned my precious keepsake which I gave her.

Coach. Well. I'm going. I will rush back by early train tomorrow.

I will go now.

Ok!

Do you have enough money?

Enough! See you soon!

This focus training is different from playing ball in the past.

This time we will play for Shanghai to take part in the national match.

They will select players for the national team.

If selected for the national team, we can also go abroad!

Aren't you ready to enter university?

Of course I am.

Didn't you say just now that the school will recommend you for the Physical College?

I didn't agree to it yet.

That's good.

Then spend more time reviewing your lessons.

Mum, don't worry.

I will have a talk with coach Tian when I go back. He is sure to agree with me.

Oh, I forgot to tell you. We have a new coach.

He is a very kind man. Today he advised me to come home.

He advised you to come back? What is his name?

Mum, I just told you. His name is Tian.

- Tian! - Yes!

How old is he?

He said he was forty years old. But he doesn't look forty.

He advised you to come home? What is his first name?

His name is Tian Zhenhua.

It's said that he was an athlete for the old Shanghai team.

Mum, you always worry about me. You always think I am a child.

In fact, mum, what are you doing?

I'll see if the meal is cooked.

His name is Tian Zhenhua.

It's said that he was an athlete for the old Shanghai team.

For eighteen years, where have you been?

After you were injured,

why didn't you speak to me before leaving?

Why did you suddenly return the ring to me?

I paid all the money he owed to the hospital.

I treated him fairly.

But I didn't see he had any love for you.

Humph. A ball-player can't understand love. It's terrible.

Did you hear what Daddy said? We'll leave tomorrow. Don't go out.

Uncle, you should let her see him again.

My father forced me to go to Hankou and you were gone.

I gave you food, clothes and a room. Why do you hurry over there?

What? You are missing that ballplayer again?

Mum, you were also an athlete! Let me look!

Don't look. It's in the past.

Mum, you never told me.

So I think I should listen to Mum

and must enter a good university.

What else did she say?

Nothing. Oh, she asked me to say hello to you.

Xiao Jie, Xiao Jie, Xiao Jie.

Coach, I will go for a minute.

You neither wrote a letter nor telephoned me.

Are you prepared to take the university entrance examination?

Who told you that I wouldn't prepare?

It seems that you don't want to.

Oh, you can tell that?

Hey. This is the registration form for the university.

Here are some books that I chose for you and my notes.

I've marked some points, the important points are underlined in red,

and the especially important points are circled in red.

Do you see?

Yes. I must spend some time reading.

Sunday is my birthday and I won't go out to play. I will review my lessons at home.

Your birthday? Oh, I forgot. Then you can take a rest.

What for?

Come to our house for your birthday.

Mum, put more sugar in the spareribs!

I know. Today you are making me dizzy!

Don't put too much vinegar!

I know.

I pass the ball to you, and then you ignore me.

You pass it to Wang Simei, and then run through the inside.

Simei, you pass the ball to the leader and the leader shoots.

At this time, the opponent will be sure to block you.

Will she? Where am I at this moment?

I am here. Hey. Zhenzhen, don't forget to cover me,

and then you can pass the ball to me. I will take your ball.

Good shot.

This is another trick.

It is good for me to shoot here.

Right, we should let Xiao Lin have a chance to shoot the ball.

I can cover you here, but you have to come back to defend.

You don't have to worry about defending.

How can I not worry?

If you don't get back in time, there will be three empty positions.

I can't play with Ah Zhen to get a shot. The result is that we always lose defense.

Playing with the worker's team, it doesn't matter. Their offensive ability is bad.

But you can't despise them.

I think Wang Aizhu pays more attention than you in defense.

But she has no strong confidence.

Comrades, comrades, let our coach talk please.

This Sunday is our first exercise match.

The major goal is to develop our tactics. Our team is worse in defense.

So we should get more training in this respect.

I have planned the players for this Sunday.

The first players are Zhu Aiping for the centre,

Tang Shibao for the right defense and Zhenzhen for the left defense,

Wang Simei for the right forward,

The left forward...

Wang Aizhu. The others should be prepared.

Now I'll talk about our tactics.

This is Lin Xiaojie speaking.

We don't know if there will be a match tonight.

I won't come.

I think you should come to my home since it is your birthday.

Today my mum cooked lots of dishes.

My mum and dad all want to see you and welcome you.

Your dad didn't say he wanted to meet her.

He won't be here for dinner.

Well, Well, Well. It is early.

The match is seven thirty. There is enough time.

All right!

Ladies, this evening we have our match.

We should go early to become familiar with the field.

Let's get ready quickly.

Xiao Lin hasn't come back yet.

I am sure she went to her boyfriend's.

She told me she wasn't going out this afternoon.

She fooled you otherwise you would go on about it.

Otherwise how could she see her boyfriend?

There's not enough time. Let's go quickly.

Xiao Lin is going to be late.

Xiao Lin is too casual about the match.

I don't know that Tao's telephone either.

Hey, do you know where Xiao Lin went?

I don't know.

For the past six months, I have watched you play ball.

How accurate your shots were.

You can shoot the ball into such a small circle,

just like an acrobat.

Mum, sports are different from acrobatics.

Sports are good for our health.

But your mum has never had sports and her body is also solid.

Hurry up, hurry up.

Xiao Lin hasn't come yet.

Where did she go?

I don't know.

Has she asked for leave?

No.

Get on the bus, get on the bus.

Help yourself. Help yourself.

Just be at home. Help yourself.

Hey! Why didn't you go for the match?

Have they already gone?

For an hour and more. Hey, hey, hey, you should go quickly!

I must get something.

Hey! Look!

Coach!

Xiao Lin is back.

Coach. Xiao Lin has come back.

I know.

Xiao Lin, where did you go?

Go change your clothes and warm up.

Couch Tian is very angry.

Coach, can you let Xiao Lin play in the second half?

No need.

I don't believe one who doesn't obey discipline

and doesn't care about team honor can make a difference.

Enter the court now.

Zhifang, pass the ball for me.

Hey. Xiao Lin would get this ball.

Come back. Quickly, quickly, quickly.

Wang Aizhu, Wang Aizhu. Here, Here.

Hey. How to pass? What did you do?

These ball passes...

Go, go, go, go quickly, move up quickly.

No. 12 in. No. 9 out.

Simei, quick!

Don't sing, OK?

What are you looking for?

Coach Tian was really tough. If Xiao Lin had played we wouldn't have lost.

Since Xiao Lin came, he should have let her play.

That is not right. It is a very serious mistake that Xiao Lin was late today.

Yes it is serious and being late should...

But Coach Tian is too terrible.

Doesn't an organization stress discipline?

Since she came, he should have let her play.

What if we were all late for the match?

- You can't say so. - Don't quarrel.

No matter, I think what Coach Tian did is not proper.

Just think. As an athlete,

how should she treat such a match?

Are you late? Are you absent? Don't you obey discipline?

I hate an athlete most who doesn't obey discipline.

Yesterday, where the devil did you go?

Please tell us.

Tell us, Xiao Lin.

I went to Tao Kai's home. It was my birthday yesterday.

Even for your birthday, you should tell us.

That's right.

I had left a message.

Message? Where is it?

Tang Shibao.

What's wrong is wrong.

There's nothing to think about. Acknowledge it and be done with it.

I thought that I was not the first to play.

In my opinion, Xiao Lin has problems with her thinking.

Most of the time she doesn't take sports seriously

but only thinks of the university entrance exam.

You can say anything else about me

but you can't say that I don't take sports seriously.

I don't agree with you.

I haven't reviewed my lessons.

My mum also blames me.

What do you say? I won't do it. I will go.

Xiao Lin.

You won't do it? Do you want to leave?

You can leave.

However I will remember such a girl forever,

before an important match, she left the team.

For what reason?

It is because of the criticism of the comrades?

Is it is because she didn't get a first position?

Can you say when you are in a battle only the warriors at the front will fight,

while the support units can leave of their own will?

Of course. I admit that I was tough in my attitude yesterday.

But I am always wondering if there is

anything more important

and more sacred than a match for a player.

When I was young I knew an athlete,

who had represented our nation at the Far East Sports Games.

At that time the foreigners laughed at him.

They said how China, a diseased man in East Asia

could send athletes to take part in sports games.

The journalists also asked him to take off his clothes to take his photo.

At that time he did not understand but now he understands

that it was not him who was humiliated

but his country and his nation.

What about this athlete afterwards?

Afterwards, he won a championship for his own nation,

but China didn't need it at that time.

In order to make a living, he went to play ball and do advertising for his boss,

he was like a beast in the circus.

Where is this athlete now?

Now he works as a coach of a women's basketball team.

He has no achievements in his work.

But you are in a quite different situation. Happiness surrounds you every minute.

However some of you don't feel this happiness.

Sometimes you don't cherish the honor given to an athlete by the country.

Xiao Lin.

Your daughter Xiao Jie is a very excellent athlete;

however she does not get your encouragement and support.

She told me that her mother is opposed to her playing ball. Is that true?

I have been wondering how you are getting on with your life

since we haven't met for many years.

This is what I have worried about. I hope to meet you!

Tonight the first players to enter the court are...

Zhu Aiping for the center,

Tang Shibao, the right defense,

Li Xiuqing, the left defense,

Chen Zhifang, the right forward,

...and Lin Xiaojie, the left forward.

Come on, Workers Team!

What's up? Where do you hurt? Quickly, quickly!

The doctor said you should rest for three months.

Three months?

Then, Xiao Lin can't go to Beijing with us.

To Beijing? She will even miss the entrance exam.

Mr. Tian, in order to play basketball she'll miss the entrance exam

and you ask the doctor to perform surgery to get her out of the hospital earlier.

- Why do you do that? - Tao Kai!

Mr. Tian. I don't mean that sports aren't important.

I am an engineer.

I think the socialist construction needs industry and the industry needs engineers.

I think Xiao Lin can become an excellent engineer, but now...

it takes so much time to play ball every day. To be frank,

I don't know how useful it is for socialism.

Comrade Tao Kai, you study industry.

You will feel sorry for your country without industry.

When an athlete hears someone say that China

is a country full of diseased men in East Asia...

he must feel pain.

Several years ago, I had an opportunity to go

with a sports delegation to a foreign nation.

When I saw the national flags of the Soviets, the United States, England,

even a country with only a population of several thousand

making achievements in the field of sports...

as an old athlete, a Chinese

who could not see the national flag of his own nation achieving in the sports,

I felt there was nothing more painful than that.

I'm sorry. Just now I was too excited.

Mum.

- How about your injury? - It doesn't matter.

This is Mr Tian, our coach I often mentioned to you, and this is my Mum.

You haven't changed your temper!

Yes! Have you received my letter?

Yes. I wanted to meet you.

For Xiao Lin?

Yes.

Why didn't you agree with her playing sports?

Why must I let her play ball?

Yes, your preceding generation looks down upon this daughter.

Why haven't you gotten married?

Why did you want to leave me at that time?

Is it the one I gave to you?

Why?

Didn't your father say that you would get married?

So I just returned it to you.

Coach, coach. The doctor asked if they could operate on Xiao Lin.

It is up to her mother.

Aunt Lin.

It is up to you.

Coach.

I must do it for you

...and give you a gift.

You forgot to take this photograph that day.

I give it to you.

Coach Tian, I...

What do you want to say?

I've had no father since my childhood.

These days, I naturally have a feeling...

I think it would be wonderful if I had a father like you.

- Yours. - This is mine.

Oh. We will go to Beijing tomorrow.

What are you doing?

Look who's here.

What about your leg?

Just look.

I can go fight.

The daughter of Sister Lin?

Since your leg is not good, you may sleep in the lower bed,

and these are your sports clothes.

I... what can I do?

Don't be sorry. It's over.

The green fields...

The golden ocean...

Songs of joy are floating in the air.

Hey, hey!

Wave your right hand...

Flap the forward wing...

We are on the swift train...

Riding on the wave of life...

Youth is like a flying bird...

The sunny trees are rustling in the wind...

Our life...

Is like a beautiful essay, a beautiful essay...

Is like the flower of sports...

We should cherish

the glory of our team...

Pride and jealousy

are evil things...

Hey, hey, our eyes are honest and sincere...

You can hear sweet applause for you.

You use the best of your life to greet the flower of friendship...

Coach, are you writing a letter? To whom?

To an old friend.

I'm writing from Beijing.

These days, I keep thinking about our accidental meeting.

That day, we had a nightmare.

These days, I recall the days we were together, I won't ever forget them.

Xiao Jie, your daughter...

is with me. You must be concerned about her life.

Let me tell you, she is going to join the match.

What a strong will she has!

I'm sure she will do better than us. She will be a great athlete.

It will be several months before we can return.

I hope I can see you before leaving the country.

We should have a good time talking so that we can plan our future.

Ladies and gentlemen. Now the farewell party for the overseas athletes begins!

Mum.

Congratulations!

What's gone is gone. Anyway, we should start a new life.

My child has grown up.

I always think, our youth has already passed by.

No, I don't think so.

I think this is exactly our beginning!

Xiao Lin, Xiao Lin.

Yes.

This is what my mum bought for you to eat on the road.

This is for you.

There is a long letter inside. You can read it when you get on the plane.

I see.

We will be back soon,

No matter how long it is, I will wait for you!