December 25th, 1945
Tomoko, the sun has set
I can't see Taiwan now
Are you still waiting for me there?
Fuck you!
Fuck you, Taipei!
We can't pass through
Yes, we can
No, we can't. Too low
Yes, we can. Really
Let's give it a try
Try what?
We'll get stuck. Try your ass!
Are you getting in or what?
Tomoko, come on!
Wait a minute...
Come on! We don't have all day here
Tomoko, out!
OK, sorry
Back off please
Got good light. Keep it close together
Tight together. Come on. Excellent!
Good. Keep it close. Thank you
That way!
Now, come on! Keep it close now...
Hey! What do you think you're doing?
Come on! Jeez!
Tomoko, we're trying to shoot here What do you think you're doing?
All right, ladies. Never mind
Let's do it professionally, all right? I want everybody in and smiling
Good!
Old Mao...
Registered mail!
Come on!
A healthy young man has to work
Don't force me, please
There's no vacancy
How could it be?
Old Mao is 80 and he refuses to retire
He doesn't see you waving hands nor hear you calling him
He can't be a mailman anymore
Hey...
You can't go swimming
You have work tomorrow and later on
What if you got sunburn?
What we want is a dip in the water
What are you hollering at?
Don't be a bitch!
Stop looking at the girls! Watch the road!
Hey! I'm also a model!
How can you do it to me?
Watch out!
What the hell are you doing?
Damn it!
I told them they'd get sunburn
They wouldn't listen. What can I do?
You don't care about anything
But you want me to be responsible
What do you want me to do?
Hey, you!
You smoked in my bathroom?
Don't you think I'll tell the manager?
Just paint it. Don't waste your time
Come on. It's done
Grandpa, he's here!
First day at work and you're late
You too
You're late for school
From Hengchun Professional School...
...to Junior High through Hengnan R. And to Elementary School through Beiman R...
...to Zhongzheng R. And then Hsinhsing R.
This is the returned mail Give it back tomorrow
Any question?
That's it. Go!
You're late already
Hey! You forget this!
Fuck! You're dead!
Jerk! So late on the first day!
Damn! Got me out and left me here
Where are you from?
Post office's motorcycle broke down
Fuck! I thought you were mute
Why aren't you wearing the helmet?
Driver's license, please
What about him?
And them?
And her?
And she ran through a red light too!
There are plenty of them. Why me?
Because you're in a bad luck
Driver's license!
Don't have it?
And driving without license too
What's your name?
What the fuck is your name?
Shameless!
Fuck!
What are you doing?
I'll kill you!
What the hell are you doing?
What are you doing?
Rauma, stop it!
I'll kill this motherfucker!
You're not in SWAT team anymore!
Come here!
Sorry...
You! Maintain the traffic!
Goddamn it!
What the fuck?
I'm sorry
He's in a bad mood
Are you all right?
Why don't you listen to me?
Come on!
Come on! Don't be a fool!
What's wrong?
Can't start it!
It's tricky
Why is it wrapped like this?
Wow! It's convertible!
Do you have our mails?
No!
Can you fix it or not?
All my tools are in there
Then go get it!
My owner has the keys
You arrived just now?
When'll your owner be here?
He lives in there!
Then why don't you ring the bell?
Amitabha, please...
Amitabha. I'm not Police
I'm Frog, and I have no money
I replace you?
I've been in politics longer than you
I don't replace you
I let you be the mayor first
Mayor, excuse me. This needs your stamp now
Put it on my desk
All right. Put it there
Stamps? Everything needs my stamp
Japanese singer's concert at the beach
It's Mayor's most important job You have to learn how to do it
Mayor, if you approve this...
...all the representatives will kill you
Tomoko...
Please forgive my cowardice
I dared not admit we were in love
I even forgot how I became obsessed...
...with that rebellious girl...
...who upset me all the time
Tomoko...
You were stubborn and vain
But I couldn't help being crazy for you
You graduated from the school...
...when we lost the war
We're losers
Our aristocratism is no more
I'm nothing but a poor teacher
Why should I be the scapegoat?
I have nothing to do with the war
I'm but a poor teacher
I love you, but I have to leave you
O, Lord, let us praise together...
...and call thy name
A...
...men!
Everybody, let's pray together
Malasun!
Miss, how are you?
I have an appointment with Mr. Huang
Can you tell him I'm here?
Wait a second, please
Hello? Is Mr. Huang available now?
Miss, it's a new brand
We repackage the aborigine's millet wine
The goal is to go international
Thousands years of history with new sensation
We named it Malasun
I'll pour one for you
No, thanks...
Yes? I have a Mr...
Malasun! Ma-la-sun...
...Mr. Malasun, who says he has an appointment with you
OK. The B1 office
B1 office. No problem
The elevator is there
Where's the general manager?
You...
Mr. Representative, can I help you?
Have a seat, Mr. Representative!
What is love?
It's nothing but a game
Honey, darling, baby or pumpkin
Whatever you call me
Which floor?
The basement
Can't you walk?
Don't you have legs?
5th floor!
Oh, I'm scared of nothing because I love you
But if you love someone else I'll kill you for sure
Oh, I'm scared of nothing because I love you, baby
Please indulge me to show your love
Amen!
Who says Hengchun has no talent?
Dada, why are you here?
The church is done?
Not yet
Then why are you here?
Lord kicked me out of there
Mr. Representative, why so mad?
The hotel is yours, but the sea is ours
You think rich people can make everything BOT?
What are you talking about?
We have to go global now
It's a global village
What global village?
You outsiders build up hotels here
The lands BOT. The mountains BOT
Now the sea BOT too
What about us natives? Be employed?
- Are we living on the same Earth? - Hey!
Where are you going?
Here it is!
Open the door then!
The sea is so beautiful
Why can't people see it?
Why?
Because rich people bought it too
They left us nothing
The annual Spring Scream is in Hengchun
What about us natives?
What do we get?
We can only cheer with the crowds
And all we get is garbage everywhere
Come on! We have nothing to do with Spring Scream
This year we invite...
...a famous singer from Japan
What's his name again?
His voice is like the sea...
I don't care if your Japanese singer...
...is going to be a doctor or a sailor
What I'm asking you...
...is to have a local warm-up band
Do you understand me?
But there's no local band here
I want gaiety this time
That's why we need killing bands
You have no such talents here
What are you talking about?
You? We?
What happened to your global village?
What do you mean?
I mean...
All right, whatever
I assure you that I can get...
...a great local band for you
No. It's impossible
Yes, it's possible
No, it's impossible!
Yes, it's possible!
Believe me when I say it's possible
Or let's run for the Mayor next year
Wait and see who will be elected
Come on! Please!
I promised those people in Taipei
Why don't you cancel it?
We've paid them. How could it be cancelled?
- Yeah! - Listen, it's all right
If you don't want a local band...
...I won't let you party at beach...
...even if I have to kidnap the Mayor
Let's go!
Wait a minute...
Listen to me, please
Do you know how much money I've spent?
I even get lots of foreign models...
...for people to take photos with
It's Integrated Marketing, you know?
I'm running for the Mayor next year
Think about it. I'll give you 1 minute
Have you heard of Kousuke Atari?
Don't you understand what I'm saying?
Wait... Wait a minute!
All right!
I'll have your band
No... our band
Ma-la-sun
Try it...
What do you think? Is your mouth...
...filled with the beautiful flavor?
Wow! You really can drink
Let me get you one more
Why?
OK. I'll be right there...
Yes?
What? They're leaving!
OK. I'll be right there!
What the hell?
I'm a model too
Why can't I go on the runway?
Why do you always ask me to be a caretaker and an interpreter?
You're good looking
But the current fashion doesn't suit you
You look good actually
You're still young, you know?
I'm old!
I'm so upset that I age early
I stay here in Taiwan after graduation
because you said that I was special
Now you say I'm not in trend...
...and that I can only be an interpreter?
Please, don't start with me
It's an emergency. We had no choice
But it's a lifetime chance
The Japanese label doesn't believe...
...they can get proper musicians...
...in such a place like Hengchun
Do me a favor, please
Supervise everything there
Be a caretaker
Anyway, you can't ask me to stay without asking for my consent
You can't do that
The key to Miss Tomoko's room
You know the Japanese are so picky
We don't know how to deal with them
When you speak ill of the Japanese...
...don't forget I'm Japanese too
Why should we cancel our plans?
You're late every day. Lazybones!
What do you think you're doing?
I don't work here
Schedule your route today
I'll see if it's appropriate
The 3rd day
How could I stop myself from thinking about you?
You're a student from the sunny South
while I'm a teacher from the snowy North
We're so different
But why do we love each other so much?
I miss the sunshine and the warm winds
I remember you were upset by the ants
I know I shouldn't laugh at you
But the way you stamped on the ants... It fascinated me
It's as if you were dancing...
...with anger and airing joyfulness
That was when I fell in love with you
Attention, everyone
We have an audition at 7:30 this evening
All those who can play any instrument are welcome to attend
Your ID card, please
My ID card is needed?
Don't you have it? Then how do I know if you're native
Move! Don't you see I'm limping?
Get out of my way!
This kid is impossible. Move!
Hsiang, eat it by yourself
Number 10? All right...
All right...
You're the best. Eat it by yourself
Ma'am, my friend registered for me...
...to play the drums in an audition
Okay, you're free to go
Do you want to see me performing?
Who would take care of these kids?
Take them with you then
- Do you want to go? - Yes!
Hey, you! Stop!
Stop...
Ask your people to be quiet, please
Stop the racket!
Quiet!
Quiet! Do you hear me?
Where are those 3 kids from?
Get them out of here!
Let me tell you something...
Be quiet when someone's performing
Otherwise it'd seem so rude
Old Mao!
Finished already?
Finished?
Applaud!
Number 10, it's your turn
Number 10? Shit! It's me!
Number 10...
Take care of these kids for me please
Number 10...
Number 10!
What are you doing?
Number 10! It's me!
Who's spraying water?
Sorry...
That's not water. It's saliva
You're disgusting!
I didn't think you would come
Take it
Or I will crash it
How dare you?
Well, go ahead and do it
See that?
There goes Hengchun's drum player
Go with me
Are you going on stage?
It won't hit you...
See? I told you. What are you afraid of?
Hey, Mr. Postman
Playing guitars is supposed to make you happy
Old Mao, please!
Put it away!
My wife and your father died early
My kids are working elsewhere
Your brothers are away either
Only your mother and I are left here
We're so lonely
The house is big...
...and the bed is large...
Come on!
Speaking about the house makes angry Why should you mention the bed too?
The priest says...
...that it's not good to be alone
That was why their God created women
People are meant to be social
That's all I can say
I hope you understand
He's the only one who can play drums
You can't ask him to because of that
You don't think he's good enough?
That's not the point
What matters is how he charms the audience on stage
But...
He looks like an insect
What insect?
You look down upon him already
Frog!
The rehearsal is 7:30 at the Hotel basement
I picked you among others
Don't let me down
Remember, put your feelings into it
Come on!
This aborigine is good at mouth organ
Mouth organs are not for a rock band
Says who? He played drums yesterday...
...and guitar and mouth organ. It was great
Everyone loved it
Ask him to play the bass guitar then
What does a mouth organ player know about the bass guitar?
Goddamn it!
Those DoReMis are the same anyway
I bet he knows how to play them both
You think I know nothing about music?
What the hell are you doing?
You play the bass guitar Your son plays the guitar
I don't know how to play bass guitar
It's OK. Everything will be fine
All right, that's it then
And the lead vocal...
Go get Mr. Representative's... that kid!
Wait a minute... Who's that?
Was he there yesterday?
The one who got mad playing the guitar
Can he sing?
Don't look down upon him
He was a lead vocal in a Taipei band
He can write, play and sing
How often do you meet a talent like him?
What are you complaining about?
Did I say anything?
This is men's talk
What are you moaning about?
Your tooth aches? Why don't you see a doctor?
Ignore her. Come on...
The one who plays keyboard is too old
Old? How about this one? She's 40
Look how beautiful our sea is
Why can't young people stay here?
Tomoko, take a look at our sea...
I don't understand your dialect!
Excuse me...
7 o'clock tonight at Chateau Hotel
You'll join the band on our behalf
What about my grandpa? Is he in?
Come on! It's a rock band
Old Mao can only play yukin
Son of a bitch!
Malasun!
What did you say?
It's Malasun
Damn! It's 7:30 now
Till 9 o'clock? What's wrong with you?
Enough! I want to talk to your manager
Frog!
- Have your feelings with you? - Yeah...
Put your feelings into it, all right?
You're in it too?
I'm Frog
The drummer
Frog!
- How are you? - Frog!
When were you back?
My daughter
She's so cute
Leave her alone
I'm the drummer, your mom's friend
How do you do? I'm Frog the drummer
Insect! Go back where you came from
I'm sorry
Where's Aga?
God knows!
Forget it. Let's start the rehearsal
Rehearse what? It's our first day
Yeah, we don't have the score and we don't know each other
Hi, I'm Hong Kuo-rong
The town council chairman
Hi, I'm Frog the drummer
I know! I picked you personally!
I'm the town council chairman I'm 170 centimeters tall
I weigh 75 kilograms and I'm 60 years old
What I love most to do is...
...quarrel, fight, kill people and set a fire
And my ambition...
...is to burn down Hengchun...
...and to ask all the young people...
...to come back here to rebuild it
We'll be the employers, not the employees
Do we know each other now?
Yes! It hurts!
All right already! Calm down!
Yeah, calm down...
You said something too!
What are they doing downstairs? Band?
Mr. Malasun?
Can you lower your voice?
You scared me!
Here!
Do you clean the cup before it's passed on to someone else?
Yeah
They're rehearsing now
I see
I'll report to you in a couple of days
I've informed our Taipei Office
Yeah
Yeah, I see
What the hell are you doing?
Mind your tempo
Stop fooling around!
Take your call outside!
You're getting nearer and nearer
It's next to me today
I've had enough!
Malasun!
I have and appointment with your general manager...
Mr. Representative...
I'm Hakka in Baoli. Here's my calling card
This is our new product
Revolutionary millet wine
It's called Malasun
Age-old tradition with new sensation
This is for you. Try it please
He's waiting for you upstairs
Thank you
Mr. Representative...
I'm the only salesman in Hengchun
I'm wondering if you can help me...
...and introduce me to other hotels
My boss wants this new product...
...to be high-class
Please. Do me the favor
Baoli belongs to Checheng
This is Hengchun here
Why should I help you?
Have some pride, young man
Stop kissing someone's ass for money
Yeah, not bad
I've been watching them rehearsing
Yeah, the first song will be ready this week
The second one by this weekend
The weather's gone mad and the sea is boiling
That's why I want to seize the day
Stop wasting time
Be a skywalker...
Stop...
What?
I'm adding something here
Be a skywalker...
Amen!
All right, whatever. As you wish
One more time!
- When the sky is empty... - Wait...
After that...
...I'll try something cool. Come on!
Hey!
Can you try it after we do it once?
It's been 3 days
We haven't finish anything yet
You, with the keyboard!
Mind your tempo
The bass guitar is lagging
Drummer can't stop criticizing
What the hell do you want?
What? Stop moaning!
You look down upon us, don't you?
You're the best, all right?
Only you can say anything
What do you want?
What? Wanna fight?
I'd like to point out 3 things
First, the keyboardist is too young
...while the bass guitarist is too old
We have to find someone else
Second, you're a mess
We should rehearse more often
Third!
They want you to write 2 songs
But there's only one now...
...written by you a long time ago
But what matters is the other song
Can you do it?
Can you do it if I can't?
I'm not in charge here
Ride to hell!
Aga...
When are you normally off duty?
Around 5 o'clock
5 o'clock?
You're fast, aren't you?
Put the mails inside the mailbox to avoid them being stolen
I've got complaints about losing mails
Hey, girl!
Who do you want?
Excuse me... Is Aga here?
He's off to work. What do you want?
He won't be back until late afternoon
I'm the coordinator of the band
This CD is for his reference
Please give it to him
So, you're that Japanese girl?
Come on. Come in, please
No, thanks. I'll write him a note
Won't you come in and have a seat?
No, thanks
You're Japanese...
...but you write well in Chinese
I'm sorry. Are you all right?
I didn't mean to hurt you
My betel nut...
What is it?
I'm fine
Are you all right?
I can't see
Wipe them clean! I can't see...
Help him up
My legs are fine
Get on!
Wipe them clean!
Excuse me... well...
Thank you
What happened? Are his hands hurt?
Damn!
What happened to your nose?
He's hurt already and you put an X on his nose?
His wound is right here
I have to avoid his eyes and nose tip
What else can I do?
What are you laughing at? He's in pain
The staircase is too steep
You really know how to play this?
Can you do it?
It's not what you're thinking!
Aga!
Aga...
Please! Don't tell anyone!
He's young and ignorant Why don't you help him?
Don't I have anything better to do?
I'm old and limping and you want me to help him?
How many times have I told you?
What if it's notifying someone's...
...wedding, giving birth or death?
We have phones. Who writes letters anymore?
Damn you!
Are you working for the post office or the phone company?
Old Mao, don't tell anyone please
Come on. I don't need money
Buy whatever you like with it
I like playing music
Buy a new instrument then
Who am I playing for?
Who wants to listen to...
...us old people playing?
The newspaper says I'm a gem
Who gives a damn?
If I'm a gem, I should go out and show them...
...instead of staying at home
All right...
Only hundreds of them They won't give you so hard a time
I heard someone got in jail for opening private letters
I told you it's not that!
What is it then?
Porno?
Yeah, yeah...
How I wish a storm would come now...
...and drown me in the ocean between Taiwan and Japan
Then I won't have to be responsible for my cowardice
Tomoko...
I've been sailing for several days
The weeps brought by the sea wind
age me already
I don't want to leave the deck
or go to bed
I've made up my mind
Once I land...
...I'll no longer see the ocean
Sea wind, why do you always bring the weeps?
They weep for being in love, for marrying someone
or giving birth
I weep when I think of you marrying someone else
But the sea wind dries my tears...
...before they drop
I can't cry any tear, which ages me even more
Curse the wind!
Curse the moonlight!
Curse the sea!
I told you already!
The bass guitarist was too old
Now you have someone even older
It was not me who asked him here
I'm not in charge here
You're not in charge?
All right, I'll see how you're going to sing on stage
I love my girl
I love you so much
When we were in the park...
...do you know what happened?
I saw the moonlight...
You...
You really want him to use that as a bass guitar?
I bet that old man...
...never touched a bass guitar
Our Japanese singer will be here soon
What can we do now?
What about your other song?
I haven't seen anything!
Have you listened to the CD I gave you?
Look at him!
Don't tell me writing songs is not your job
What are you doing?
Look!
It's salt!
He spent his time at the beach
You've been late everyday
I thought you were busy writing songs
Now I know that you were at the beach
How can you be so mean?
I quit!
Get out of my way!
Why didn't you say anything?
Do you understand anything she said?
Wow! The Japanese eats everything!
I see the moonlight sprinkling
I have something to tell you
Please think about it, girl...
What are you doing?
Play this
How do you play this thing?