For unexplainable reasons, my son, Kenichi, and I
have been estranged for years.
There is a profound chasm between us which hurts me deeply.
I want us to be close again.
When I was thinking about how to improve my relationship with him,
Kenichi got sick and was hospitalized.
His wife, Rie, informed me about it.
She has suggested to me
that it would be an opportunity
for Kenichi and me to speak to each other and to improve our relationship.
This might be the only chance I have to talk with him face to face.
Hence, I have come to Tokyo.
You must be surprised by the changes in Tokyo over the past years.
It's been at least 10 years.
Kenichi has been unwell for a while.
He's suffering from stomach pain.
It often disturbs him at night.
He hasn't been diagnosed yet.
Excuse me. Give me a moment.
I'll tell Kenichi you're here.
He doesn't know that you've come.
Your father is here to see you. Why don't you let him in?
- He's come a long way to see you. - Why should I see him?
Who asked him to come? Was it you?
- I never said I wanted to see him. - Please don't talk like that.
Enough, I don't want to see him.
SHINJUKU CENTRAL HOSPITAL
Father!
Please wait!
Father, it's because he's sick
that he was in a bad mood.
Don't take his words to heart.
Forgive him.
Let me talk to him again.
This tape
was made by Kenichi in China.
It was broadcast as part of a TV special.
Please have a look at his work.
Make sure you watch it.
Please.
Mr. Takata, it's ready.
Okay.
Thank you. Would you like a drink?
No, thank you. I have another appointment.
- Do you know how to use a VCR? - Yes.
Let me introduce
an expert in oriental folk arts,
Mr. Kenichi Takata.
He is widely published on the subject.
We have some footage shot by Mr. Takata of a mask opera.
This opera originates from Yunnan Province.
This is Mr. Kenichi Takata from the faculty of Oriental Folk Arts
at the University of Tokyo.
- He's here to see you perform. - Thank you.
This is Mr. Li Jiamin. He's our lead singer.
This is amazing. You are incredible.
- He says you are incredible. - I could be better.
I have a cold today.
Come back and I'll perform Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.
I have a cold today. Come back and I'll perform
- Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles. - Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles?
- It's a mask opera about Lord Guan.
Oh, I see, the Lord Guan from
The Romance of the Three Kingdoms?
He actually knows who Lord Guan is.
Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles is the greatest of all mask operas,
and I'm the person who can perform it the best.
This is the most interesting part. Around here,
there are few people who can perform this except for him.
Then this is a rare chance. Can't you sing a little for me now?
- Can't you sing a little for me now? - My voice is not up to it today.
Kenichi is leaving China tonight.
Then some other time.
All right then, next time.
It's a deal.
I'll come back to Yunnan next year.
He said he is coming to see you next year.
I promise you an unforgettable performance.
How's the catch today?
Not bad.
This is Takata.
Father.
I've been calling and calling.
Have you been fishing?
I've received Kenichi's diagnosis.
Cancer of the liver.
It is terminal.
I haven't told Kenichi yet.
I don't think
I have the courage.
He thinks
he will be discharged soon.
I've always hoped
in my heart
that our family
could enjoy a meal together.
You,
Kenichi,
me.
Now I'm not sure
that's going to happen.
I am going to China.
I decided this suddenly.
I don't know what is out there
and I'm not good at dealing with people.
However, I feel compelled to go.
I need to do something for my dying son.
MR. KOICHI TAKATA
Mr. Takata.
Do you want to rest in Kunming City or go to Lijiang City immediately?
Lijiang City.
Fine.
LIJIANG CITY
Rie? It's me.
I'm in Lijiang City
in Yunnan Province, China.
Yunnan?
What are you doing there?
I am here to film Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.
You want to film it
for Kenichi?
Actually, I gave you that tape
so you could learn more about him.
Father, please come back.
No.
The travel agency has arranged everything.
Please don't be worried about me.
Just don't tell Kenichi
what I'm planning.
Please.
LI VILLAGE
Mr. Takata,
this is Lingo. He's a village tour guide.
He speaks a little Japanese.
Yes.
Lingo, remember Kenichi who was here last year?
He promised to film the mask opera.
This is his father.
So you're Kenichi's father.
His father.
Kenichi is my friend.
Very good friend.
- Lingo, how is everything going? - Just a second.
- Are you Li Jiamin? - No.
Lingo, I told you we only wanted Li.
It doesn't have to be Li. Other actors can also play Lord Guan.
No way. Mr. Takata only wants Li Jiamin.
If he insists on Li, there will be no show today.
Why not?
Look, Li enjoys a drink or two, which is usually fine.
But one day during a rehearsal, someone mentioned
he had a bastard 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 three years in prison.
Please tell him it doesn't have to be Li Jiamin performing.
All the actors are very good.
Once the mask is on,
it doesn't matter who is behind it.
No one can tell the difference.
Even a native can't tell the difference between the voices.
So how could a Japanese person?
Does it really have to be Li?
His son wanted to film Li. He is making this film for his son.
No one else will do.
But Li Jiamin is in prison. He will stay there for three 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 to see it.
Why don't you come again next year?
Jasmine, please help me.
Mr. Takata, this is not about money.
I'm in a difficult position.
I'm just a tour guide.
How can I get a foreigner
permission to film inside a prison?
It is impossible.
- Jasmine. - Yes.
Please help me.
I really want to help.
But this is beyond my ability
and my job description.
Please forgive me.
My contract with you is only for three days.
I've been assigned other jobs.
I cannot do anything else
except for seeing you off at Kunming Airport. I'm sorry.
Jasmine, please ask your boss
if I could employ another interpreter.
Hi, boss. This is Jasmine.
Mr. Takata, that Japanese tourist who arrived two days ago,
is asking for a new interpreter.
Mr. Takata,
my boss cannot help with your plan to film inside the prison.
He also says he doesn't have another interpreter available.
Please forget about this idea.
Mr. Takata, is that actor, Mr. Li, so important to your film?
Excuse me.
Please turn around.
Turn around.
Jasmine, he wants to go back. What can we do?
The opera is Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.
Lord Guan traveled a thousand miles
to help a friend,
which is a big deal.
A man must be loyal.
I can't understand what they are saying,
but I need their help.
Without them, I can't go anywhere.
For the first time,
I feel helpless.
I wonder if Kenichi
would feel the same way.
Mr. Takata.
About your plan. Jasmine cannot help you, but I am able to.
- Much obliged. - Thank you.
No problem.
There are no costumes or props
in the prison.
We'll have to take them. Excuse me.
Thank you.
There are no props and costumes at the prison.
He's getting them.
Mr. Takata, I must confide in you.
Lingo is my friend.
He is very enthusiastic, but he really doesn't know much.
So, let me tell you the basic procedures to follow.
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.
If they approve, then go to the Bureau of Justice.
Bureau of Justice.
If they approve, then all's well.
- Bureau of Justice - Yes, the Bureau.
...approves. - Yes.
If you have any difficulties
or Lingo can't properly translate for you, please call me.
I'll translate for you over the phone.
You have my phone number.
I'll leave this car for you
and charge it to your account.
By the way,
you need to sign this form.
It's your request to change interpreters.
Please sign it.
OFFICE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Director Li is in a meeting.
He's been briefed on your situation.
He will be available soon. Take a seat, please.
Again...
We have to wait bit.
Lingo,
are they all thank-you banners?
Yes.
You...
This means "thank you."
It's calligraphy.
A Chinese tradition.
Tradition?
Lingo. Please.
Write them down?
Write them down.
Please sit down.
No need to get up.
I've checked the files.
Indeed, there was a Japanese man named Kenichi
who traveled here frequently.
He enjoyed our mask opera immensely.
He also visited Li Village.
- You are... - I'm a tour guide from Li Village.
I'm Lingo. He is my client.
This is Kenichi's father.
Welcome.
Please have a seat. Welcome.
Lingo,
can you translate everything I am saying?
My Japanese is not very fluent,
but I can take notes and translate later.
Okay, I'll talk, and you take notes.
- Okay. - You see,
to let someone film inside a prison
is very difficult.
His request is totally without precedent,
which makes it even more difficult.
You know, for a foreigner to visit a prison
is not a straightforward matter.
Even if it was, the procedures are complicated.
It may seem simple, but it's not.
It is very complex.
Hello.
Okay, okay, I'm coming.
So, Lingo,
please explain these difficulties to him.
He doesn't have to visit this prisoner.
Many singers can perform this opera.
They could be even better than Li Jiamin.
I advise him to stop trying. All right?
Mr. Li
said this is
too difficult.
- Difficult? - Mr. Li said so.
Because a foreigner...
- Foreigner... - I'm a foreigner.
Law...
Law... Law is
very, very hard.
Because...
Difficult?
Time... No time.
Dictionary.
Check... Please check.
- Law... - Law?
Difficult?
Difficult law.
Law...
Difficult law.
Easy for the Chinese,
but for foreigners
very, very difficult.
Government law.
Hello.
- Jasmine. - Yes?
Sorry to bother you.
Not at all.
I need you to translate for me.
Sure.
This is Lingo.
How did it go?
It was a disaster.
Get him a ticket and send him home.
That's the end of it.
Let me explain this to him.
Mr. Takata, telephone.
Mr. Takata,
I'm sorry. Your request was refused.
Lingo will book you on the next flight.
Thank you.
Mr. Takata, goodbye.
Please return to Japan.
Because government policy.
My Japanese
is not good.
I'm sorry.
Thank you.
You want silk banners?
Which one?
The best one.
These are the best. What size?
This one.
- Director Li. - Lingo.
I've been waiting for hours.
I am sorry, but we had a long meeting.
I forgot about the video.
Let's have a look at this tape.
Let's go in.
Why does Mr. Takata want to use this tape
to talk to me?
- Lingo. - Yes.
We don't understand Japanese.
No problem. I have a Chinese version.
Jasmine translated it and faxed it to me.
That's complicated.
Of course it is. I've been practicing for hours.
Let's see it, then.
Why isn't he talking?
Director Li.
Forgive me for speaking to you like this,
but I have no other option.
Actually,
a long time ago,
because of a mistake I made,
I hurt my son, Kenichi, deeply.
He has never forgiven me.
Recently,
my son was diagnosed with cancer.
He may not have very long to live.
He has a deep passion
for Chinese folk operas.
He promised
to return here
this year
to film Li Jiamin's performance.
I don't know
at this point
what else I can do for my son.
Maybe filming Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles
is the only thing
I can do for him now.
Director Li, please help me.
Please.
Director Li,
please.
I apologize for calling you so late.
Please help me.
If you think it's possible, I'll report it to the Bureau of Foreign Affairs
and ask them to liaise with the Bureau of Justice to resolve this.
Can you help me with this?
PRISON
Reform our ways.
Redeem ourselves.
Become new people.
One, two, three, four.
Are you his interpreter?
Yes, but my Japanese is not good.
I'll make notes first
and get someone to translate later.
Let me explain our protocol.
Foreigners filmed here in the past,
but some of them were not nice.
They complained publicly about conditions in the prison.
This gives our country a bad image.
- Tell him this. - Yes.
Troublemakers like that are not welcome.
I have nothing against him personally.
- You only want to film one prisoner? - Yes.
- Prisoner Li Jiamin? - That's right. Li.
Mr. Li Jiamin.
- Just to film him singing? - Yes, nothing else.
Which opera?
Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.
It sounds like an excellent way to promote Chinese culture.
Right.
After all, Lord Guan is not a state secret.
No, he's not.
He's certainly not. I'll give it the Bureau's stamp of approval.
We can film it now.
- Testing, do you hear me? - Yes.
Perfect. This is the venue.
It is our recreation room.
The prisoners use the room on weekends and public holidays.
It's a place to relax.
- Can you hear me? - Yes.
- How is the microphone? - Okay.
You can begin now.
We can start.
- Thank you, Warden Chen. - You're welcome.
Reporting for duty.
Come in.
Prisoner Yang and the band
reporting for duty, sir.
- Take your places. - Yes, sir.
Lingo. This is the prison band.
Some were professionals, others learned to play while in here.
They are extremely popular,
performing every year for festivals.
- Please tell him. - Thank you.
Thank you.
- Reporting for duty, sir. - Come in.
Prisoner Li Jiamin reporting for duty, sir.
- Li. - Sir.
Can you sing Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles?
Yes, sir.
Oh.
What you need to do is this.
Repent of our sins.
Reform our ways.
Redeem ourselves,
become new people.
Li, do not be nervous.
Do a good performance.
Li, I know you can sing any mask opera. Do not be nervous.
Band, one more time.
Okay? Action.
Li, what is wrong?
Why did you not perform?
Li.
Li Jiamin.
Why are you silent?
He is waiting to see you perform. He is from Japan.
He came to China only for your performance.
He is Kenichi's father. The one who came often to see you perform.
Please sing, okay?
His son is fond of you. Please sing for him.
They respect your performance.
Why are you crying?
With the shackles on,
I cannot perform.
I miss my son.
I envy him.
Without caring what others think,
he can cry and say what he wants to say in public.
He is a fortunate man.
If only I had courage the way he does,
the relationship with my son would be different.
He probably won't be able to film today because Li is too emotional.
Please tell him
to come back later, and we'll try this again.
Mr. Takata, Mr. Li Jiamin...
Hi, it's Takata.
I am sorry, but I don't know what's going on.
Would you talk to him?
Hello?
Did you go to the prison? What happened?
We can't film.
Li cried the whole time. He broke down every time we started to film.
Why did he cry?
He misses his son. He never met his son.
He cried because he wanted to meet him.
The guard told us to leave for now.
- Then what can we do? - Let's forget it.
He wasn't like this when he was living in the village.
I see.
Give the phone back to Mr. Takata. I'll explain it to him.
Mr. Takata, telephone.
It's me again.
- Jasmine. - Yes.
- It's Takata. - Oh, Mr. Takata.
- I am sorry to disturb you at night. - It's okay.
Well,
after giving it a lot of thought,
I've decided to go get Li Jiamin's son.
You're arranging for him to meet with his son?
Yes.
Mr. Takata, please do not do it.
Li Jiamin probably said that without thinking.
I heard that he said he will forget about it soon.
Besides, the area where his son lives is far away
and is not easy to access.
If you go there, you will not have time for what you want to do.
I've made up my mind.
Mr. Takata, isn't making the film for Kenichi
the most important thing?
Both are of equal importance now.
I'm sorry.
Please call Lingo now
and ask him to take me to Stone Village tomorrow.
- Please. I'm sorry. - All right.
- Lingo. - Mr. Takata.
- Good evening. May I? - Please.
- What is it? - Good night.
Goodbye.
Hello.
- Hello. - Is this Mr. Takata?
Sorry to bother you again.
What did you say to Lingo?
Why did he return the money
to me?
Will he still help me tomorrow?
Mr. Takata, let me explain.
Lingo and I feel very sad
about Kenichi's illness.
I apologize for not helping you earlier.
- Forgive me. - Never mind.
I understand.
Lingo doesn't feel right
about taking your money
when your son is so sick.
He will still take you to Stone Village tomorrow.
Really? Thank you both.
I'm happy that Kenichi
has friends like you.
Does he have many friends in China?
Actually, I don't know Kenichi.
Lingo doesn't know him very well, either.
Lingo said that Kenichi
hardly has any friends in China.
Really?
Lingo said
Kenichi seldom spoke to anyone.
He would stay alone in Lijiang for months.
Sometimes he just stared at the mountains for hours.
He seemed very Ionely.
I may have said too much.
No.
Please,
tell me more about my son.
Mr. Takata, I'm afraid that's all I know.
- I am sorry. - Never mind.
I'm sorry it's so late.
Thank you, Jasmine.
- Good night. - Good night.
There's roadwork ahead.
STONE VILLAGE
Yang Yang's mom died a week ago.
He has no other family to care for him.
The villagers are taking care of him now.
The village chief said the boy is now being raised by everyone
- in this village. - That's right.
Li was told about this.
That's why he broke down in prison. This was the reason.
We know why you have come here.
Our committee has already made its decision.
I cannot give you the details straight away.
Why not?
Before I explain I must clarify some things.
- Please translate what I say. - Of course I will. He's my client.
Please continue.
I want to say two things.
First of all,
Yang Yang is Li's son,
born outside of wedlock,
but we all accept that.
We all agree. This is the first point.
Secondly, after several years, Li has now decided to claim his son.
We cannot accept this.
You'd better translate now.
Why don't you simply say yes or no? So I can give him an answer now.
Yes or no?
You haven't translated a single word to him.
You should translate everything I've said.
You should make yourself clear before I do.
I doubt you speak any Japanese.
Ridiculous. Of course I do.
This loud discussion is going on for a long time.
I suddenly feel like an outsider.
I realize that in a foreign language environment
you can feel very isolated.
But
I'm slowly beginning to understand
why Kenichi often visits here.
You're supposed to be a translator.
I wouldn't need you if I spoke Japanese.
I know how to translate.
I beg to differ on that.
No signal.
There's no signal here.
I know where you can get one. Let's go.
He's calling a translator.
Let's go outside.
- Why are we going to the roof? - You can get a stronger signal.
My son has made calls from up here before.
Who is Mr. Takata calling?
Jasmine, a translator from Kunming.
Isn't that your job?
Are you sure you speak Japanese?
Of course I do.
It's just that issue is so important that we need to get a true professional.
Jasmine.
I'm sorry.
I don't understand what is being said. Can you translate for me?
Thank you.
Miss Translator.
I want to make two points.
First, Li didn't register a legal marriage before his son was born.
We all accept that Yang Yang is Li's son.
That is point one.
Secondly, after all these years,
the boy now finds he's got a father.
Li's sudden interest is hard to believe
and is confusing for everyone.
Please translate this for him.
It's me.
I totally understand their reservations.
I never said no on this matter.
Lingo can't speak a word of Japanese.
Mr. Takata needed to know our feelings on the subject.
Now that he really understands, we are very relieved.
We have no more issues.
After much discussion, we give our consent
to let the boy go. Not for Li's sake,
but for the sake of our Japanese friend.
Yang Yang can visit his father with Mr. Takata tomorrow.
Yang Yang.
This is Yang Yang.
You are going into town tomorrow.
Get him some new clothes.
Could you ask the Chief
if Yang Yang wants to see his father?
Chief, he asks
if Yang Yang wants to see his father.
No problem. Of course he does.
No problem.
- He's sure? - Yes.
One moment. I have to take a call.
- Hello. - It's Rie.
Father, please don't be upset.
I've told Kenichi
about your trip to China.
He didn't say a word the whole night
after he heard this,
but he looked different.
I could see a change in his eyes.
Father, he never expected
that you would do such a thing for him.
Kenichi told me today
that this particular mask opera
is not that important to him.
He was only being polite to Li.
So, Father, please come back.
Father, can you hear me?
I am listening.
Father, please come home.
Kenichi said
your trip to China
is the most wonderful thing you've ever done for him.
Did Kenichi say that?
Yes.
Those are his exact words.
Thank you.
Standing here today,
I'm not sure if Kenichi has uttered these words.
If he has,
it is the first compliment
from my son in many years.
Seeing this large banquet
the villagers prepared for me, a total stranger,
I am deeply touched. I will never forget this.
The sight of such generosity and kindness from the villagers
makes me want to believe
that Kenichi has said these words.
- What's wrong? - The tractor's broken down.
- Broken down. - Really?
Yes. Can you fix it?
I think so. Let me try.
Yang Yang!
Lingo!
- Yang Yang! - Mr. Takata!
Yang Yang!
Mr. Takata!
Yang Yang.
What's the matter?
Why did you run away from us?
Do you know your way home?
Going home?
Your home.
Why are you running away?
Yang Yang.
Do you know where you're going?
Yang Yang.
Are you going home?
Is this the right direction?
Hurry up, everyone!
It seems like hours.
All I can do is to follow Yang Yang around.
I'm one step behind.
I think the way I'm chasing after him
is the way I chase after my own son.
I don't know which path to take
or what direction to go.
I have no idea.
Yang Yang.
We've been here before.
The trail looks the same.
Do you see?
Yang Yang.
We are lost.
We are very lost.
We can't keep going like this.
Let's wait for someone to find us.
All right.
Let's find a place to rest.
Let's wait here
and stay out of the wind.
Yang Yang.
What are you doing?
Going poo-poo?
I thought you were running off again.
Don't look. I can't do it if you watch.
Go away.
I don't believe this.
Go away.
Go away? I'm not leaving.
I'll stay here.
Go away.
Stop doing that!
Go away.
Yang Yang.
Hold on.
Let's split into two groups to search.
That would be more efficient.
All right, let's do it.
Lingo, how do you pronounce his name?
- Mr. Takata. - Are you sure?
Of course. It's a simple name.
Can you teach everyone to say it?
It's pronounced as Mr. Takata. Repeat after me.
- Mr. Takata. - Mr. Takata.
- Say it louder. - Mr. Takata.
All right.
You lead them that way.
We'll go this way. Keep yelling out their names. Let's go.
Mr. Takata!
Yang Yang!
The moon is bright in the sky.
Don't be afraid, Yang Yang.
I'm sure they'll find us.
We have to get their attention.
They might not see us in here.
Lingo!
Here, I've got a boat whistle.
Well done.
Well done, Yang Yang.
No, you keep it.
Blow it again.
Well done.
Sitting here all night,
waiting to be found.
I'm holding Yang Yang tightly in my arms.
I don't remember
if I ever held Kenichi like that.
I wonder if Kenichi ever held me like that
to fall asleep.
I don't remember.
Yang Yang has no idea
what his father even looks like.
I wonder what kind of father
I am to Kenichi.
His blood pressure is normal.
You will be fine.
- Thank you. - Not at all.
I need to check the boy.
Give me your hand.
Jasmine, could I call the Chief, please?
I am sorry for causing all this trouble.
- I am sorry for causing all this trouble. - No problem.
May I ask
why Yang Yang ran away yesterday?
Mr. Takata wants to know why Yang Yang ran away yesterday.
He often wanders away.
There is no reason for that. Kids are like that.
I am not so sure.
Would you ask Yang Yang?
Maybe he doesn't want
to see his father after all.
Should we ask Yang Yang directly to see if he wants to see his father?
There is no need to ask. We'll make the decision for him.
What the hell does a child know?
He has to do as we say.
She can't translate if you're all speaking at once.
Shut up. You can't speak Japanese anyway.
- I can't? Can you? - You know I can't. Neither can you!
They're arguing again.
Would you ask Yang Yang directly?
He would like you to ask Yang Yang directly what he wants.
Okay, let me ask him.
Yang Yang, come.
Sit over here.
Let me ask you something.
Do you want to meet your dad?
Do you?
Come on. Yes or no?
- No. - Why not?
Don't be naughty.
- I am not going! - Why?
Tell me why not.
You must do as the adults say.
I'm telling you to go.
- Go now. - He's not my dad.
- He isn't your dad? - I've never seen him before.
He is your dad, no matter what.
I'm not going!
Why don't you want to see your dad?
I just 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 since he has never met his dad.
- You must do as we say. - I will not go.
Why not? Tell me.
Could you call the Chief?
Chief, could you please come here?
Let's talk over there.
Don't cry, Yang Yang.
We are not going.
Don't cry.
Don't cry!
Chief,
and everyone,
I'm sorry for causing you any trouble.
I've decided
not to take Yang Yang to the prison.
Yang Yang
might not be ready
to meet his father yet.
Although he is just a child,
I think
we should try to understand and respect his wishes on this.
All right.
Yang Yang will not go.
We won't take him, as you said.
Who will raise Yang Yang now?
Tell him not to worry. The village will keep caring for Yang Yang.
Li will be released in a few years.
We'll arrange a meeting then.
The boy will be united with his dad. We will take care of it.
Jasmine, one moment.
Okay.
Yang Yang!
Mr. Takata, what do you want to do now?
I would like to visit the prison again.
If possible, I'd still like to film Li's performance.
Could you contact Warden Chen
to see if Li would be willing?
You may have to wait a few days for an answer.
I'll wait.
All right.
Hello.
Father.
I've been trying to contact you for hours,
but I couldn't get through.
Kenichi
passed away
last night.
Yesterday during the day,
Kenichi
was in high spirits.
He talked about you
and wanted to write you a letter.
He spoke. I wrote it down.
I wrote down
every word he said.
Shall I read it to you?
Do you want to listen to it now?
Please. Read it to me, Rie.
"What do I want to say?
"What should I say to my father?
"I'm asking myself.
"I deeply regret refusing to see you
"when you came to the hospital.
"This feeling of regret
"torments me more than my illness.
"I've been blaming you
"ever since Mother's death.
"Without any explanation,
"you moved away to a remote fishing village.
"I thought then you were trying to avoid facing reality.
"To be honest, I've been trying to escape it as well.
"When you came to the hospital, I couldn't face the distance between us.
"I never expected that
"you would ever go to China for me.
"I was really moved.
"People have never understood my obsession with folk operas.
"I've been drawn to them because they mirror my life.
"I've come to realize that I'm the actor behind the mask.
"I've tried to fool myself and everyone close to me.
"My true feelings have eluded me
"until now.
"I have not allowed myself
"to acknowledge them.
"Father, it's not the opera that is important.
"I now see that loved ones
"should not mask their true feelings for one another.
"I eagerly wait for your return.
"Father, I want us to embrace each other once again."
Quiet down.
Mr. Takata. Lingo.
- Jasmine? - Hello, Warden Chen.
Mr. Takata,
I'm sorry that Li couldn't sing last time.
I've organized more people this time to create a crowd to cheer him on.
I hope it will go well today.
- Li. - Yes, sir.
Tell Mr. Takata what you want to say.
Mr. Takata, I'm sorry about last time. I'll do my best this time.
He said that he will do his best this time.
Warden Chen,
thank you for arranging this.
It's very kind of you.
Today, however,
I am not here to film the opera.
I've waited for two days
just to meet Mr. Li.
May I have a few words with him?
Thank you, Warden Chen.
Of course.
Mr. Li,
I've been to Stone Village.
I've met Yang Yang.
You saw Yang Yang?
He is a good boy.
He really is.
Warden Chen,
I've taken some photos of his son. May I show him?
What photos?
Photos of his son and the village.
Photos of his son?
Please, show us.
That's all.
Sorry, these are all I have.
It is over. I am sorry, these are all the photos I've taken.
Li, Mr. Takata traveled a great distance
to take these photos for you.
Your son is a bright boy. Everyone would agree with me.
He is really delightful.
You should thank Mr. Takata.
Thank you, Mr. Takata.
Can you perform?
I'll sing to the best of my ability.
He said he will sing to the best of his ability.
It's okay.
There is really no need to perform.
I didn't come to film the opera today.
Mr. Takata, I've arranged the band and the crowd.
A lot of men in our region can sing mask opera.
I've picked some good ones to accompany him.
I hope you stay for the opera.
There's really no need for me to film it.
Let me put it this way. You don't have to film it.
We invite you to be our audience. We'll perform the opera.
Please, will you sit here and watch?
Mr. Takata, thank you.
You are a very kind man.
So is your son, Kenichi.
I'll perform well.
Please film my performance
and show it to Kenichi.
Please tell him to visit us again.
Mr. Li,
I will film your performance.
Kenichi would be very pleased.
Thank you, Mr. Takata.