For unexplainable reasons...
my son Ken-ichi and l...
have been estranged for 10 years.
There is a profound chasm between us...
which hurts me deeply.
l want 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 s peak to each other...
and to improve our relationship.
Hence l have come to Tokyo.
You must be surprised at the changes...
in Tokyo over the past 10 years.
Ken-ichi has been unwell for awhile.
He's suffering from stomach pain.
lt often disturbs him at night.
He hasn't been diagnosed yet.
Excuse me.
Give me amoment.
l'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 along way to see you.
Why should l see him?
Who asked him to come?
Did you?
l never said l wanted to see him.
Please don't talk like this.
"Enough, l don't want to see him."
Father.
Please wait.
Father...
he's sick and in great pain.
Don't take his words to heart.
Forgive him.
Let me talk to him.
Thistape...
was made by Ken-ichi in China.
lt was broadcast as part of a TVspecial.
Please have alook 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 amask opera.
This opera originates from Yunnan Province.
This is Mr Ken-ichiTakata...
from the faculty of Oriental Folk Arts...
at the University ofTokyo.
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.
l could be better. l have a coldtoday.
Come back and l'll perform...
RidingAlone for Thousands ofMiles.
l'm not familiar with this particular opera.
lt's amask 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 ofMiles...
is the greatest of all mask operas.
l'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 China tonight.
"Then, some othertime."
lt's a deal.
l'll come back to Yunnan next year.
l promise you an unforgettable performance.
How's the catch today?
Nothing much.
This is Takata.
Father...
l've been calling and calling.
Have you been fishing?
l've received Ken-ichi's diagnosis.
Cancer ofthe liver.
lt is terminal.
l haven't told Ken-ichiyet.
l don't think...l have the courage.
He thinks...
he will be discharged soon.
l've always hoped...in myheart...
that our family could enjoy a meal together...
Father...
Ken-ichi...
and l.
Nowl'm not sure...
that's going to happen.
l need to find...
the singer Mr LiJiamin.
l don't knowwhat is out there...
and l'm not good at dealing with people.
However...
l feel compelledto go.
l 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?
lt's me.
l'm at Lijiang...
"in Yunnan Province, China."
Yunnan?
What are you doing there?
"l'm filming "RidingAlone for Thousands ofMiles".
You want to film it...
for Ken-ichi?
Actually...
l gave you that tape...
so you could learn more about him.
Father...
please come back.
No.
The travel agencyhas arranged everything.
Please don't be worried about me.
Just don't tell Ken-ichi...
what l'm planning.
Please.
LlVlLLAGE
Mr Takata.
This is Lingo. He's avillage tour guide.
He speaks a little Japanese.
Lingo.
Remember Ken-ichiwas here last year?
He promisedto 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 LiJiamin?
No.
"Lingo, l told you we only wanted Li."
lt doesn't have to be Li.
Other actors can also play Lord Guan.
No way. Mr Takata only wants LiJiamin.
lf 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 abastard son.
This upset him so much...
that he grabbed a wooden 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 LiJiamin 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 anative 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 LiJiamin 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.
"Mr Takata,this is not about money."
l'm in a difficult position.
l'm just atour guide.
How can l get a foreigner...
permission to film inside a prison?
lt is impossible.
Please help me.
l really want to help.
But this is beyond my ability...
and my job description.
Please forgive me.
My contract is only for 3 days.
l've been assigned other jobs.
l'll see you off at Kunming Airport.
l'm sorry.
Jasmine...
please ask your boss...
ifl could employ another interpreter.
"Hi, Boss. This is Jasmine."
That Japanese tourist...
"Mr Takata, who arrived 2 days ago..."
is askingfor a new interpreter.
Mr Takata...
myboss 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.
"lsthat actor, Mr Li, so important..."
to your film?
Excuse me.
Please turn around.
Turn around.
Jasmine...
he wantsto go back.
The operais...
Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.
Lord Guan traveled a thousand miles...
to help afriend...
which is abig deal.
A man must be loyal.
l can't understand what they are saying...
but l need their help.
"Without them, l can't go anywhere."
"For the first time, l feel helpless."
l wonder if Ken-ichi would feel the same way.
Mr Takata...
about your plan...
Jasmine cannot help you...
but l 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...
l 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.
Please write them down.
"First, go to the Office of Foreign Affairs."
Tell them why you want to visit the prison.
Office of Foreign Affairs.
lf they approve...
then go to the Bureau of Justice.
Bureau of Justice.
lf they approve...
then all's well.
Bureau of Justice...approves...
lf 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.
l'll leave this car for you...
and charge it to your account.
You need to sign this form.
lt's your request to change the interpreter.
Please sign here.
OFFlCE OF FORElGN AFFAlRS
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 needto get up.
l've checkedthe files.
lndeed...
there was aJapanese man named Ken-ichi...
who traveled here frequently.
He enjoyed our mask operaimmensely.
He also visited LiVillage.
You are...?
l'm atour guide from LiVillage.
l'm Lingo.
He is my client.
This is Ken-ichi'sfather.
Welcome.
Please have a seat.
"Lingo, can you translate..."
everything l am saying?
MyJapanese is not veryfluent...
but l can take notes andtranslate later.
"Okay, l'lltalk andyou take notes."
Okay.
You see...
to let someone film inside aprison...
is very difficult.
His request istotallywithout precedent...
which makes it even more difficult.
You know...
for aforeignerto visit aprison...
is not a straightforward matter.
Even ifit was...
the procedures are complicated.
"lt may seem simple, but it's not."
lt is very complex.
"Okay, okay, l'm coming."
"So,that puts an endto it."
Lingo...
please explain these difficultiesto him.
He doesn't have to visit this prisoner.
Many singers can perform this opera.
They could be even betterthan LiJiamin.
l advise him to stop trying.
All right?
Mr Li said...
this is...
too difficult.
Because...
aforeigner...
l'm aforeigner.
Law...
Lawis...
difficult.
Because...
Difficult?
Time
no time.
Dictionary...
Check...
Please check.
Law...
Law?
Difficult?
Difficult law.
Easyforthe Chinese...
but forforeigners...
"very,very difficult."
Government...law.
Hello.
"Hello,Jasmine."
Sorryto bother you.
l needyou to translate for me.
This is Lingo.
How did it go?
lt was a disaster.
Get him aticket and send him home.
That'sthe end ofit.
Let me explain thisto him.
"Mr Takata,telephone."
Mr Takata...
l'm sorry. Your request was refused.
Lingo will book you on the next flight.
Thank you.
Mr Takata...
goodbye.
Please return toJapan.
Because...government policy.
MyJapanese...
is not good.
l'm sorry.
Thank you.
You want silk banners?
Which one?
The best one.
These are the best. What size?
This one.
Director Li.
Lingo.
l've been waitingfor hours.
We had along meeting.
lforgot about the video.
Let's have alook at thistape.
Let's go in.
Why does Mr Takata...
want to use thistape...
to talkto me?
Lingo...
we don't understandJapanese.
No problem.
l have a Chinese version.
Jasmine translated it...
andfaxed it to me.
That's complicated.
Of course it is.
l've been practisingfor hours.
Let's see it then.
Whyisn't he talking?
Director Li...
Forgive me for speakingto you like this...
but l have no other option.
A longtime ago...
alongtime ago...
l hurt my son Ken-ichi deeply.
He has neverforgiven me.
Recently...
my son was diagnosedwith cancer.
He maynot have verylongto live.
He has a deep passion for...
Chinese folk operas.
He promisedto return here this year...
to film LiJiamin's performance.
l don't know at this point...
what else l can do for my son.
"Maybe filming ""RidingAlone for Thousands ofMiles"" ..."
isthe onlything l can do for him now.
"Director Li, please help me."
Please.
Director Li...
please.
l apologize for calling you so late.
Please help me.
lf you think it's possible...
l'll report it to the Bureau ofForeign Affairs...
and askthem...
to liaise with the Bureau ofJustice...
to resolve this.
Can you help me with this?
PRlSON
Reform our ways.
Redeem ourselves.
Become newpeople.
"One,two,three,four."
Are you his interpreter?
"Yes, but myJapanese is not good."
l'll make notesfirst...
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 abad image.
Tell him this.
Yes.
Troublemakers like that are not welcome.
l have nothing against him personally.
You onlywant to film one prisoner?
Yes.
Prisoner LiJiamin?
"That's right, Li."
Mr LiJiamin.
Just to film him singing?
"Yes, nothing else."
Which opera?
RidingAlone for Thousands ofMiles.
lt sounds like an excellent way...
to promote Chinese culture.
"After all, Lord Guan is not a state secret."
"No, he's not."
He's certainlynot.
l'll give it the Bureau's stamp of approval.
We can film it now.
"Testing, do you hear me?"
Yes.
Perfect.
This isthe venue.
lt is our recreation room.
The prisoners...
use the room...
on weekends and public holidays.
lt's aplace 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 andthe band...
"reportingfor duty, Sir."
Take your places.
"Yes, Sir."
Lingo.
This isthe prison band.
Some were professionals...
others learnt to playhere.
They are extremely popular...
performing every yearforfestivals.
Please tell him.
Thank you.Thank you.
"Reportingfor duty, Sir. Come in."
Prisoner LiJiamin...
"reportingfor duty, Sir."
Li.
"Can you sing ""RidingAlone for Thousands ofMiles""?"
Yes.
What you needto do...
isthis...
Repent of our sins.
Reform our ways.
Redeem ourselves...
become newpeople.
Li.
"Relax, don't be nervous."
You should be captured on film at your best.
"You know allthe pieces, right?"
"Come on, don't be nervous."
"Band members, once again."
Ready...go.
"What'sthe matter with you, Li?"
Why aren't you singing?
Li.
What's wrong?
He is waitingfor you.
He came allthe wayfrom Japan...
just to film you singing.
He's Ken-ichi'sfather.
TheJapanese guywho visitedyou often.
Please sing.
Ken-ichi is sick.
Please singfor him.
Come on.
Why are you crying?
l'm not in the moodfor singing.
ljust can't.
l'm thinking of my son.
l can't stop thinking about him.
l envyLi.
He doesn't hide hisfeelings.
lt is ablessing...
to be able to express one's emotions.
lfl could reveal myfeelings like this...
myrelationship with Ken-ichiwould be different...
Lingo.
l don't think...
we can film the operatoday.
Li cannot sing.
Tell Mr Takatato come back.
Let me knowwell in advance.
Please tell him.
Mr Takata.
"Stop crying, Li."
We knowyou'd like to see your son.
This is Takata.
l don't understandwhat'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.
Asthe music started...
he began to cry.
Why?
He's upset about his son...
who he's never seen.
He longsto meet his son.
The warden stopped everything...
when he sawLi crying.
What willyou do?
He couldn't sing.
Liwasn't like that before.
He is a different man in prison.
Please passthe phone to Takata.
l'll explain to him.
"Mr Takata,your phone."
lt's me.
Jasmine.
This is Takata.
Mr Takata.
Sorryto disturb you so late.
l've been thinking.
l've decidedto bring Li's son to him.
You want to bringthe boyto Li?
Yes.
"Please reconsider, Mr Takata."
Liwas over emotionaltoday.
Warden Chen said...
he'd be fine in afew days.
The boylives in Stone Village.
lt is in averyremote place.
This detour will only delay your plan.
l've made up mymind.
Mr Takata.
lsn't makingthe film for Ken-ichi...
the most important thing?
Both are of equal importance now.
l'm sorry.
Please call Lingo now...
and ask him to take me to Stone Village tomorrow.
"Please, l'm sorry."
All right.
Lingo.
Good evening. Mayl?
Please.
What is it?
Good night.
Goodbye.
Hello.
lsthis Mr Takata?
Sorryto bother you again.
What didyou sayto Lingo?
Why did he...
return the moneyto me?
Will he still help me tomorrow?
Mr Takata.
Let me explain.
Lingo and lfeelvery sad...
about Ken-ichi's illness.
l apologize...
for not helping you earlier.
Forgive me.
Nevermind.
l understand.
Lingo doesn't feel right...
about taking your money...
when your son is so sick.
He will stilltake you...
to Stone Village tomorrow.
Really?
Thank you both.
l'm happythat Ken-ichi...
hasfriends like you.
Does he have manyfriends in China?
Actually...l don't knowKen-ichi.
Lingo doesn't knowhim verywell either.
Lingo saidthat...
Ken-ichi hardlyhas anyfriends in China.
Really?
Lingo said...
Ken-ichi seldom spoke to anyone.
He would stay alone in Lijiangfor months.
Sometimes he just staredfor hours...
at the mountains.
He seemedverylonely.
l mayhave saidtoo much.
No.
Please...
tell me more about my son.
"Mr Takata, l'm afraidthat's all l know."
l am sorry.
Nevermind.
l'm sorryit's so late.
"Thank you,Jasmine."
Good night.
There's roadwork ahead.
STONE VlLLAGE
Yang Yang's mom died aweek ago.
He has no otherfamilyto care for him.
The villagers are taking care ofhim now.
The village chief said...
the boyis nowbeing raised by everyone...
in this village.
That's right.
Liwastold about this.
That's whyhe broke down in prison.
This wasthe reason.
We knowwhy you have come here.
Our committee has alreadymade its decision...
l cannot give you the details straight away.
Whynot?
Before l explain...
l must clarify some things.
Please translate what l say.
Of course lwill.
He's my client.
Please continue.
lwant to saytwo things.
Firstly...
Yang Yang is Li's son...
born outside of wedlock...
but we all accept that.
We all agree.
This isthe first point.
Secondly...
"After 8 years, Li has now decidedto claim his son."
We don't have aproblem with this.
You'd bettertranslate now.
"Why don't you simply say""yes"" or""no""?"
So l can give him an answer now.
"Yes or""no""? "
You haven't translated a single wordto him.
You shouldtranslate everything l've said.
You should make yourself clear before l do.
l doubt you speak anyJapanese.
Ridiculous. Of course l do.
This loud discussion is going on for alongtime.
l suddenlyfeel like an outsider.
l realize...
in aforeign language environment...
you can feelveryisolated.
l'm slowly...
beginningto understand...
whyKen-ichi often visits here.
You're supposedto be atranslator.
lwouldn't needyou ifl spokeJapanese.
l knowhowto translate.
l begto differ on that.
No signal.
There's no signal here.
l knowwhere you can get one.
He's calling atranslator.
Let's go outside.
Why are we goingto the roof?
You can get a stronger signal.
My son has made callsfrom up here before.
Who is Mr Takata calling?
"Jasmine, atranslatorfrom Kunming."
lsn't that your job?
Are you sure you speak Japanese?
Of course l do.
The issue is so important...
we needto get atrue professional.
Jasmine.
l'm sorry.
l don't understandwhat is being said.
Can you translate for me?
Thank you.
Ms Translator.
lwant to make two points.
"Firstly, Li didn't register alegal 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...
nowfinds he's got afather.
Li's sudden interest is hardto believe...
and is confusingfor everyone.
Please translate thisfor him.
lt's me.
ltotallyunderstand...
their reservations.
"l never said ""no"" on this matter."
Lingo can't speak aword ofJapanese.
Mr Takataneededto know...
ourfeelings on the subject.
Nowhe reallyunderstands...
we are veryrelieved.
We have no more issues.
"After much discussion,we give our consent..."
to let the boy go. Not for Li's sake...
but forthe sake of our Japanese friend.
Yang Yang can visit hisfather...
with Mr Takatatomorrow.
Yang Yang.
This is Yang Yang.
You are goingto town tomorrow.
Get him some new clothes.
Couldyou askthe Chief...
if Yang Yangwantsto see hisfather?
Chief...
he asks...
if Yang Yangwantsto see hisfather.
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."
l've told Ken-ichi...
about yourtrip to China.
He didn't say awordthe whole night...
after he heardthis...
but he looked different.
l could see a change in his eyes.
Father...
he never expectedthat...
you would do such athingfor him.
Ken-ichitold me today...
this particular piece of mask opera...
is not that important to him.
He was onlybeing polite to Li.
"So, Father, please come back."
Father...
can you hear me?
l am listening.
Father...
please come home.
Ken-ichi said...
yourtrip to China...
isthe most wonderfulthing...
you've done for him.
Did Ken-ichi saythat?
Yes...
these are his exact words.
Thank you.
Standing here today...
l'm not sure...
ifKen-ichi has utteredthese words.
lfhe has...
it isthe first compliment...
from my son in many years.
Seeingthis large banquet...
prepared bythe villagers...
for me...atotal stranger...
l am deeplytouched.
lwill neverforget this.
The sight of such generosity...
and kindnessfrom the villagers...
makes me want to believe...
that Ken-ichi has saidthese words.
What's wrong?
The tractor's broken down.
Broken down.
Really?
Yes
Can you fix it?
lthink so. Let me try.
Yang Yang!
Lingo!
Yang Yang! Mr Takata!
Yang Yang!
Mr Takata!
Yang Yang.
What'sthe matter?
Why didyou run awayfrom us?
Do you knowyour wayhome?
Going home?
Your home.
Why are you running away?
Yang Yang.
Do you knowwhere you're going?
Yang Yang...
are you going home?
lsthisthe right direction?
Hurryup everyone!
lt seems like hours.
All l can do isto follow Yang Yang around.
l'm one step behind. lthink...
the wayl'm chasing after him...
isthe wayl chase after my own son.
l 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 looksthe same.
Do you see?
Yang Yang.
We are lost.
We are verylost.
We can't keep going like this.
Let's wait for someone to find us.
All right.
Let'sfind aplace to rest.
Let's wait here...
and stay out ofthe wind.
Yang Yang.
What are you doing?
Having apoo-poo?
lthought you were running off again.
Don't look.
l can't do it if you watch.
Go away.
l don't believe this.
Go away.
l'm not leaving.
l'll stayhere.
Go away.
Stop doingthat!
Go away.
Yang Yang.
Hold on...
let's split into two groupsto 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. lt's a simple name.
Can you teach everyone to sayit?
lt's pronounced as Mr Takata.
Repeat with me.
Mr Takata.
Sayit louder. Mr Takata.
Mr Takata!
All right.
You leadthem 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."
l'm sure they'llfind us.
We have to get their attention.
Theymight not see us in here.
Lingo!
"Here, l've got aboat whistle."
Well done.
"Well done,Yang Yang."
"No,you keep it."
Blowit again.
Well done.
Sitting here all night...
waitingto be found...
l'm holding Yang Yangtightlyin my arms.
l don't remember...
ifKen-ichi and l
have ever held...
each other like this.
Yang Yang...
has no ideawhat hisfather even looks like.
lwonder...
what kind offather l am to Ken-ichi?
His blood pressure is normal.
You will be fine.
Thank you.
Not at all.
l needto checkthe boy.
Give me your hand.
Jasmine...
could ltalkto the Chief please?
l am sorryfor causing allthistrouble.
No problem.
Mayl ask...
why Yang Yang ran away yesterday?
He often wanders away.
l am not so sure.
Shallwe ask Yang Yang?
Maybe he doesn't want to see hisfather after all.
There is no needto ask.
We'll make the decision for him.
What the hell does a child know?
He hasto do as we say.
She can't translate if you're all speaking at once
Shut up.You can't speak Japanese anyway.
l can't? Can you?
You knowl can't. Neither can you!
They're arguing again.
We should ask Yang Yangwhat 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.
Whynot?
Don't be naughty.
l am not going!
Why?
Tell me whynot?
You must do asthe adults say.
l'm telling you to go.
Go now.
He's not my dad.
l've never seen him before.
He is your dad no matter what.
l'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.
Whynot?
Tell me.
Could l speak with the Chief?
"Chief, couldyou please come here?"
Let'stalk overthere.
Don't cry Yang Yang.
We are not going.
Don't cry.
Chief...
everyone...
l'm sorryfor causing you anytrouble.
l've decided not to take Yang Yangto the prison.
Yang Yang...
might not be ready...
to meet hisfather yet.
Although he is just a child...
lthink we shouldtryto understand...
and respect his wishes on this.
All right.
Yang Yangwill not go.
Who will raise Yang Yang now?
Tell him not to worry.
The village will keep caringfor Yang Yang.
Liwill be released in 2 years.
We'll arrange ameetingthen.
The boywill be unitedwith his dad.
We willtake care ofit.
"Jasmine, one moment."
Yang Yang!
Mr Takata...
what do you want to do now?
lwould like to visit the prison again.
lf possible...
l'd still like to film Li's performance.
Couldyou contact Warden Chen...
to see ifLiwould be willing?
You mayhave to wait afew daysfor an answer
l'llwait.
All right.
Father.
Father...
l've been tryingto contact you for hours...
but l couldn't get through.
Ken-ichi...
passed away...
last night.
Yesterday duringthe day...
Ken-ichi...
was in high spirits.
He talked about you...
andwantedto write you aletter.
He spoke. lwrote it down.
lwrote down...everyword he said.
Shall l read it to you?
Do you want to listen to it now?
"Please, read it to me Rie."
What do lwant to say?
What should l sayto myfather?
l'm asking myself.
l deeplyregret refusingto see you...
when you came to the hospital.
Thisfeeling of regret...
torments me more than myillness.
l've been blaming you...
ever since Mother's death.
Without any explanation...
you moved awayto aremote fishingvillage.
lthought then...
you were tryingto avoidfacing reality.
To be honest...
l've been tryingto escape it as well.
When you came to the hospital...
l couldn't face the distance between us.
People have never understood...
my obsession with folk opera.
l've been drawn to them...
because theymirror mylife.
l've come to realize...
that l'm the actor behind...
the mask.
l've triedto fool myself...
and everyone close to me.
Mytrue feelings...
have eluded me until now.
l have not allowed myself...
to acknowledge them.
"Father,"
it's not the operathat is important.
l now see...
that loved ones...
should not masktheirtrue feelingsfor one another
l eagerlywait for your return.
Father...
lwant usto embrace each other once again.
Mr Takata. Lingo.
Jasmine?
Hello Warden Chen.
Mr Takata.
l'm sorrythat last time...
Li couldn't sing.
l've organized more people thistime...
to create a crowdto cheer him on.
l hope it will go welltoday.
Li.
"Yes, sir."
Tell Mr Takatawhat you want to say.
"Mr Takata, l'm sorry about last time."
l'll do mybest thistime.
Warden Chen...
thank you for arrangingthis.
lt's verykind of you.
"Today, however..."
l am not here to film the opera.
l've waitedfortwo days...
just to meet Mr Li.
Mayl have afewwords with him?
Of course.
Mr Li...
l've been to Stone Village.
l've met Yang Yang.
You saw Yang Yang?
He is a good boy. He reallyis.
Warden Chen...
l've taken some photos ofhis son.
Mayl showhim?
What photos?
Photos ofhis son andthe village.
Photos ofhis son?
Please showus.
That's all.
Sorrythese are all l have.
Li...
Mr Takatatraveled a great distance...
to take these photosfor you.
Your son is abright boy.
Everyone would agree with me.
He is really delightful.
You shouldthank Mr Takata.
"Thank you, Mr Takata."
Can you perform?
l'll singto the best of my ability.
There is reallyno needto perform.
l didn't come to film the operatoday.
Mr Takata...
l've arrangedthe band...
andthe crowd.
A lot of men in our region...
can sing mask opera.
l've picked some good ones...
to accompanyhim.
l hope you stayforthe opera.
There's reallyno needfor 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,willyou sit here andwatch? "
Mr Takata...
thank you.
You are averykind man.
"So is your son, Ken-ichi."
l'll perform well.
Please film my performance...
and showit to Ken-ichi.
Please tell him...
to visit us again.
Mr Li...
lwillfilm your performance.
Ken-ichiwould be very pleased.
"Thank you, Mr Takata."