Ladies and gentlemen.
Away from home, I rely on the kindness of strangers.
They call me the King of Masks.
I thank you, one and all, for your attention,
On my solitary skiff, I ply the rivers of Sichuan.
Arriving in each honorable town, I pay a courtesy call...
to the great clans, farmers, merchants, secret societies...
and even the Christian converts.
Move aside!
Won't you let an old man do a bit of business?
With better luck, I'd have a grandson yea tall by now.
Just stop your prattling and show us your art.
General.
General Liu, it's been ages.
Bureau Chief Huang. The local big shot!
You're the big wheel 'round here.
Dad! Ma! Here's Tianci.
Gramps!
Good boy. Come here.
Good. Say "Grandpa".
- Come on. - Gramps.
Silly kid. It's "Grandpa".
- Grandpa. - Good boy.
The widow kept her lover a secret to the day she died.
But every wall has its cracks.
I know who it was.
Who? Tell us.
The answer's right under your nose.
He's here among you.
Fearing exposure, he's about to flee.
Soon as he does, I'll let you know.
Dad, look!
I've heard the Living Bodhisattva is really a man.
Silly girl! That's the famous Liang Sulan.
The hottest female impersonator in Sichuan opera!
Touch his lotus throne, and a healthy son will be yours.
Really? Let's go do it!
Wait!
Here.
It's not easy for you.
The Living Bodhisattva!
Master Liang!
You are truly a performer's performer.
In all my travels...
I've seen nothing so marvelous as your art!
Yours is a rare art indeed.
Neither Peking nor Shaanxi opera have anything like it.
Sichuan opera is famed for transformations...
but they are paltry compared to your magic.
The same potion brews differently in different hands.
Every beggar's got his own stick for beating off dogs.
Though my skills be meager, only a son may inherit them.
It's an ancient rule.
Master Liang.
Though mine is a small teacup, it doesn't leak.
You misunderstand.
I'm not trying to steal your secrets.
Merchants form businesses, we artists form troupes.
Ropes aren't made from single strands.
Why not join my troupe? Split the profits...
and add some color to our repertoire.
That's like asking 2 peaks to merge.
I'm a loner...
used to my solitary ways.
Tell me, Old Master, have you a disciple?
It's a terrible thought...
but what if...
I was to die without an heir?
A minor matter...
I'll carry to the grave.
How callous of me!
I've hurt your feelings.
Old Master, we each decide our own course.
Generals never dismount, but gallop on.
Thank you, brother, for your patronage.
We're even now.
I wouldn't dare presume.
No one values girls.
Even you'll only make a boy your heir.
As for me...
I'm a minor character, half a woman.
I'm not worthy of being called "brother" by you.
I've spoken out of place.
We all have our own sorrows.
Old master, find yourself an heir.
Don't let your magic die.
Buy a Goddess of Mercy.
Give birth to a son.
Have a look.
I want one for the giving of sons.
She looks after all those in misery.
This is the one you want.
A son is guaranteed.
It's 5 copper coins.
Take care.
Grandpa.
Grandpa, I don't want money.
I'll clean and cook for you.
Oh, dear, I want a boy, not a girl.
You don't have to pay a cent, sir.
Just take her, please.
- You're from Shaanxi as well? - Yes, kind sir.
But I need a boy.
If you'll feed her, I'll be content.
Kind sir.
Go. Just go.
Sir, just $2.
$2, and he's yours.
He's too small. Can't afford him.
Sir, $2 only!
Grandpa!
How old are you?
He's 8. My own son.
If it weren't for the floods, I wouldn't be doing this.
$10 and he's yours.
$10?
You think I'm the God of Wealth?
5 then.
Grandpa!
It fits like it was made for him.
Come. Try on these pants.
Doggie. Look.
- A little boat. - That's our home.
Here, General.
Doggie.
Come here.
Grandpa!
Grandpa, you scared me.
Grandpa!
Don't wolf it down.
Eat slowly. It's all yours.
Doggie, where's home for you?
Here, Grandpa.
I mean, where do you come from?
A place under floodwater.
What's your surname?
Dad says it's Liu.
Your dad? That was your dad?
Don't be ridiculous. Your dad?
What father could sell his son dry-eyed?
He's a slave trader.
Your dad?
Bastard!
He's a fucking heartless man.
I wouldn't hit a monkey like that.
Poor little melon, tossed in with a black-hearted turnip!
Grandpa.
Don't cry. Don't cry.
Your luck's changed.
Your name's King now.
You'll be my grandson. No one would dare strike you now!
Your grandma ran off on me...
30 years ago.
I was too poor for her.
She left me and our baby boy.
I was mother and father to him.
Changed his diapers, watched him grow.
When he was 10, he got sick and died.
If he were alive today...
he'd be 31.
Grandpa's had a tough life.
I've got no one left.
I'm lonely and bereft.
Doggie.
I'm an old man. I'll die one day.
Don't die! What'll I do if you die, Grandpa?
I don't want to die.
But it's not up to us.
I've been afraid no one will carry on the family line...
and that my art will die with me.
Be a good boy and work hard...
and I'll give you my love...
and my art.
Do you understand?
I want to learn "change-face" opera, Grandpa.
Good! And I will teach it to you...
and only you.
It's a family heir-loom, not for outsiders.
And not for girls.
Grandpa, I'll do that for you.
Here, this.
What cold little paws!
A little higher.
Higher. Higher.
Where are you going, Doggie?
To have a pee.
Stand at the prow of the boat.
All right. Go back to sleep, Grandpa.
Careful. Don't fall overboard.
Go away.
One silver dollar and 28 coppers.
So expensive!
Sure is.
PAWN SHOP
It's so early.
Please help. My child's ill, and I can't afford the medicine.
What'll you give me for this?
Have a good look at it.
It's been in the family for generation.
$2.
Surely, just a bit more. It's...
All right. If it's 2, it's 2.
- It's bitter. - I say it's sweet...
and you'd better drink it up.
Hold onto the bowl.
Old Mater.
You've come to see the opera? Who's the boy?
Boy? My grandson.
Congratulations, Old Master!
Best wishes to you too!
Come here and take a photo with him.
- Come on up. - We shouldn't.
It's no trouble.
- Master Liang. - Come on up.
Bow to Master Liang.
He's so excited!
Stand straight. Look at me.
- Hello, boss. - Off to the opera?
Beimang Peak. Master Liang is famous for it!
It's a good opera.
Pardon me. I'd like to try my luck.
Great!
Eat up.
Once more!
What a skill!
Grandpa!
Get some wine from over there.
Hurry!
Grandpa cut his foot! He needs wine. Hurry!
- All right. Just a sec. - Hurry!
Boss...
King, what happened?
Grandpa.
Boss. Light this.
- Doggie, piss on it. - Piss?
Boys's piss mixed with cloth ashes will stop the bleeding.
I can't.
Piss! What's the fuss? Take down your pants.
No...
What's with you?
I... I'm a girl!
What? I must've been blind.
- Grandpa. - Leave me alone.
So young and yet such a crook.
I'm a stupid pig, letting you trick me like that.
I'm not a crook. I've been sold 7 times.
'Cause I'm a girl,
they've all abused me.
Only you've treated me well...
like family.
I was scared you wouldn't want me.
Grandpa.
Don't sell me.
Who'd want you anyway?
I can't believe I was fooled by a little girl.
I won't sell you.
But I can't keep you either.
Here's some money.
Good luck.
Grandpa!
Grandpa! I'll cook and clean.
I'll scratch your back. Just don't send me away!
Grandpa! Grandpa!
Grandpa!
Stupid girl! Trying to kill yourself?
Grandpa! Grandpa!
Doggie!
You're like a leech on a cormorant's foot.
Can't shake you off.
Grandpa! Grandpa!
Don't call me that.
I'm Boss to you now.
You'll work for me.
If you work hard, you can stay on.
Otherwise, we go our separate ways. Understand?
Yes. I'll work very hard.
Stupid girl.
Making trouble for yourself.
Lower!
Flip over.
Doggie!
Uncles, aunties, ladies and gentlemen.
Observe the skill of this 7-year-old child.
She's a novice. If she does well, clap your hands.
Bravo!
If you show your appreciation in cash, all the better.
Catch.
Thank you.
Take care.
Mate. You've got my money.
Now tell me how you do it.
Yes, show us your tricks. Open your eyes.
Yeah, come on. We'll put our money where our mouth is.
My dear soldiers, it's a family secret.
I wouldn't sell it for 1,000 taels of gold.
All I can say is 2 plus 2 is the opposite of take.
Please "four-give" me.
Leading us on, you ungenerous bastard?
Never mind. We're not going to force you.
Gotta be going. We'll meet again.
- Hand it over. - What?
- The money. - Money?
You're as sneaky with money as a cat with food.
But you don't show us, you don't keep the money.
I wouldn't dare keep your money.
The world's a big place. We'll meet again.
Wait a minute. I gave you 2 strings of cash.
Yes, now cough up the other one.
Cough it up.
You treat me like a performing monkey.
Tomorrow I'm off to war.
Like a meatball thrown at a dog, I won't be coming back.
You wouldn't even give us some face, you bastard.
All I wanted was a bit of knowledge before I died.
So you're a monkey. Show us your tricks. Make us happy.
My master will only teach his art to a son.
It can only he passed on to boys, not girls or outsiders.
He won't even show me. Who do you think you are?
Little shit!
Don't take offense, gentleman. She's only a child.
Look, you want to see how it's done?
All right, I'll show you and destroy my living.
But if it will make you all happy...
stand closer and watch.
Gentlemen, it's simple really.
It's all in the hands.
A few weeks' practice and you too can be a King of Masks.
Good man! We'll study with you when we return from war.
Here's some money for you, King.
Boss.
You didn't really show them, did you?
A dragon in the shallows
Is toyed with by shrimps
A tiger out of the jungle
Can be tormented by a dog
Giving up drink?
Haven't seen you for 10 days.
Drinking's the only vice I have left.
If I gave that up, what'd be left?
Help yourself. It's fresh. Jasmine.
This is your adopted grandson?
Son, daughter, who cares.
It's an extra pair of hands.
Better than being on my own.
True.
Heard you refused Master Liang's offer.
It wouldn't exactly have been a piece of cake.
He's as sharp...
as a whip...
and as famous as you can be.
I'm just a street performer.
I'd be way out of my depth.
They say he offered you $100.
It was kind of him.
I'm happy to be friends.
But even $100 runs out after a while.
I look after myself, ask nothing from anyone.
You can never be too talented.
Is there water in this wine? Or rather, wine in this water?
Boss!
Coming.
Relax. I might do that to others. Not to you, though.
Boss, this wine seems watered down.
That's slander! Certainly not.
What gall! Water in the wine! Try it yourself.
- Good morning. - Finished up?
Did you steal this?
Aren't you the capable one?
Take it back.
What do you want, Doggie?
Just looking.
What're you doing?
Just looking.
Looking?
Don't go.
All right.
A bit higher.
Doggie, I'll tell you something.
If you've got skill and talent...
the world is yours.
I've never stolen...
or begged from anyone.
I've relied solely on my skills.
Higher.
Give General some more sweet potato.
- Later I'll take you to the opera. - The opera?
Master Liang is in his famous role in Attaining Nirvana.
The evil leader of his insignificant kingdom...
has entered the Buddhist hell...
his soul never to be released!
Hear the judgment of the law.
Oh, Buddhist patriarchs!
Be merciful.
The princess arrives on the Boat of Kindness.
Bravo!
Oh, patriarchs.
The burning of White Sparrow Temple...
was not my father's intention.
He fell into a trap set by a wicked minister.
Please, hear me out in my sincerity...
and spare the life of my father, the king.
The laws of Heaven make no exception.
If you will show no compassion...
I shall cut this rope...
and fall into the pit of death...
so that I may share my father's suffering!
No, my daughter!
Princess, you mustn't take your life so lightly.
Pay her no heed.
Let her do as she will.
Father!
Daughter!
Father!
Daughter!
I haven't been as filial as I could have been.