Beijing 1981
Here comes Madam Sun's old servant
Send a telegram to the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC
The text: To Madam Chiang Kai-shek
Your sister Madam Sun Yat-sen is critically ill
And wishes to see you urgently in Beijing
I've been at the bureau since 1949
And I've never heard
Anyone sending a telegram to the Chiang family
Even Sister ching-ling is leaving me?
Am I to be the last of he Soong family left?
Madam, you're going back, aren't you?
Help Madam pack her things
Go, go quickly now
No way! The late President wouldn't have approved
How can we have dealings with the Communists
Ah Chung, has May-ling returned?
No, not yet
But she'll be back soon
I've heard that for next week's flight
From New York to Beijing
All 18 seats in first class are suddenly booked
I think
It must be May-ling coming back
Madam, would you like some water?
So long, so long
story to that From the story there's no end
From this end to that end there's a story is, there's a story is
All about a really skinny man
With barely enough skin on his face
When he opens his mouth he closes his eyes
When he opens his eyes he closes his mouth
Little Lantern, Little Pigtail
Big Sister, you scared us
Dad wants you to come home
What for? For a demonstration
What's a demonstration? It must be a game
Really? Then let's go quick
Down with Western imperialism
Uphold Chinese Sovereignty
Foreign devils get the hell out of China
Down with Western imperialism
Uphold Chinese Sovereignty
Foreign devils get the hell out of China
Down with Western imperialism
Uphold Chinese Sovereignty
Down with America! Stop persecuting Chinese workers
Down with Capitalism! Boycott foreign goods
Come on, burn your dolls, too
No, why should I?
Foreigners are taking advantage of us
So we won't use their goods
Little Lantern, do you understand?
This doll is for playing, not using
Even more reason to burn it
Hurry up
Down with the Qing Government Democracy for China!
Yat-sen
We're out of time, you have to go now
I'll send more money to you in Japan
Thanks
I still need to see a few friends
You're crazy
The Qing Government has put a $200,000 tag on your head
That much for your stupid head
This time they must be serious
Great! Just turn me in
And get the $200,000 for the revolution
It's faster than raising money through printing your bibles
Listen, you windbag
My printing makes money
Your revolution loses money
It's strange
Many people risk their lives for money
But none will risk both money and lives for a dream
except the two of us
That's because you're a nut and I'm a fool
How dare you three eavesdrop on us
What nerve! Come down
Greet Uncle Sun
How do you do, Uncle Sun?
Ai-ling, Ching-ling, May-ling
Charlie, I hope our next generation
Won't suffer as we did
And won't be like me I didn't wear shoes till 13
You didn't have shoes till you're 13?
Yes, I went barefoot for 13 years
So my toes didn't grow right
When I first put on shoes I felt terrible
I'm better than you Before I could walk
I already wore shoes on Mum's back! Look
So you know you are lucky
I hope everyone will have shoes to wear in future China
Open up! Quick
Run
Where is Sun Yat-sen?
Stop the machines
It's so noisy how can our officers hear anything?
How can they arrest the rebels?
Who? Sun Yat-sen
Where's he? Where's he?
Where's he?
Napoleon said
When China moves
It will move the world
It will
move the world
Go ahead and try
Good
Wrong again
What's happened?
If they do it wrong again they can't have dinner
Oh, give me a home
Where the buffalo roam
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day
Home, home on the range
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day
Let me go first
Where are they?
Here they are
Charlie, what are you doing?
I'm teaching them to dance
In this snow?
I'm teaching them the penguin dance
Don't forget
I'm the first Chinese to go to America via South Pole
And I'm the first Chinese to see a penguin, right?
Old Cheng, come on
Ah Chung, Ah Hwa, let's go
Come on, girls
What's that to do with penguin dancing in the snow?
To understand penguins to have a stronger body and mind
To prepare for the coming of new China
And to be ready to do great things
I think they'll only fall sick
The cold won't make them sick
Only poverty makes people sick
But they're still small, you can't
I want them to learn as kids
That the key sickness of China is poverty
We should get rid of poverty
As we get rid of a sickness
Old Cheng, this way
Ah Chung, Ah Hwa, come on
Ai-ling take good care of your two sisters
Remember what I've told you?
Daddy, you've repeated yourself hundreds of times
Don't get cold in winter don't get sunstroke in summer
Don't forget my skin ointment
You Little Lantern
Charlie, I'm still sick with worry
Why should we send them little girls to America?
They're not ordinary little girls
They're Charlie Soong's daughters
New women of new China
Ones who will do great things
Charlie, they're too young for that
They're young that's why they have a future
China is already 5,000 years old
Isn't she only getting more foolish and degenerate?
Girls, girls
We have to hurry
Be good
Ai-ling, take good care of your sisters
Thank you
Good-bye
Ai-ling, be careful
Mommy, remember to take care of my kitty
Sure, Mommy will
Daddy, please sing us a song
Oh, give me a home
Where the buffalo roam
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day
Home, home on the range
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day
1911 The Founding of the Republic of China
Come on, countrymen
Cut off those damn pigtails
Good
Don't move, don't move
You want to keep it? Yes
Go have a bowl of noodles
Ah Chung, Ah Hwa
You're next Yes, Master
Dear Little Pigtail and Little Lantern: How're you, girls?
There've been many changes since my return to China
After 11 revolution attempts
Uncle Sun finally overthrew the Qing Government
The whole country is overjoyed
But Daddy must be the happiest of them all
What a pity you couldn't return to join the celebrations
But you must come back for my wedding
You know, you're the most beautiful bride I've ever seen
I agree
When Uncle Jerry arrives
Let him sit with Uncle Samson
They haven't seen each other for years
You've told me three times, Sis
And you, the band, the band Daddy loves to do fast dances, OK?
I never thought I'd marry someone like Kung Hsiang-hsi
Then again it seems he's the man I've been waiting for
Hsiang-hsi is the 75th generation descendant of Confucius
People call him Ha Ha Kung
A Yale graduate and a rich man from Shanxi
With over 400 servants at home
His family runs a string of pawnshops and money-lenders
But I told him these are all out-dated
Now I'm helping him set up our first 30 banks in China
After you're married where will you live?
The French Concession We started decorating the house last year
What? Decorating for a year?
You know how particular he is
I'm not particular
It's just that I can't stand
Something like a Chinese-style toilet
All our toilets are imported from America
Let's try this cheese
Little rascals, sneaking a bite!
Tastes horrible
Charlie, won't it be hard for Ai-ling
To continue working for Dr Sun after her marriage?
She won't continue working for Dr Sun
Then who will help our President?
Ching-ling will take Ai-ling's place
And May-ling is about to graduate
One capable girl after another! What a remarkable family
A toast to the Soong Dynasty
May your feasts be never ending
And may your cups always runneth over
Go away! Get lost
Damn it
I just want some peace
With my old friends here
Give me a little peace
Tell Yuan Shih-kai to stop spying on me
What, again? What do you want?
Uncle Sun I'm Ching-ling
You've come
Didn't I write your father to stop you?
It's dangerous here
I know, I'm not afraid
We'd better leave here
You've forgotten your shoe again
How're your parents? They're fine, thank you
Just over there
Come in, it's a bit messy
Since you've come, rest for the night
Then return home tomorrow
But why?
It's too dangerous here
I'm not afraid! I can do what Big Sister did
Ching-ling, life here is very unstable
I never know what the next day brings
Really? You promise?
Listen to me: Revolution is a dangerous and violent business
It's unsuitable for a girl like you
Uncle Sun, please also listen to me
If your dream is to liberate China and her people
So everyone will have shoes to wear
Then my wish is
To liberate myself, to liberate a woman
To find my way with my own two feet
All right, Ching-ling
Dear May-may they say Japan is the Country of Sunrise
But here I only see a dejected Uncle Sun
Why do they all oppose me? Why?
Why oppose my alliance with Russia and the Communists?
Don't they know only Russia supports me unconditionally?
No other country does! Not one
You're right, it's ridiculous
Don't get angry, let's eat first
Yet, May-may, I'm confident that
I can help him regain his lost energy and faith
I will build 200,000 miles of rail within 10 years
You know, before building the railroad America was as poor as China
Really? Of course
The railroad is the artery of a country
After the revolution I don't want to be President
I just want to be head of the railroad
I work as his secretary and he has taught me many things
How to write letters in codes leaving out both addresser and addressee
Always meet only one person at a time
Even if they know each other
And how to write with invisible ink
Oh, I feel as if I'd returned to college
With no exams
May-may there's one more thing I'll tell you
And you alone
There is a time for everything under heaven
There is a time to live, a time to die
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to destroy, a time to build
There is a time to cry, a time to laugh
A time of sorrow, a time of happiness
A time to throw away stones a time to gather stones
A time to keep
A time to give
A time to gain
A time to lose
A time to embrace, a time not to embrace
A time for war
Miss Ching-ling, you're back
Old Cheng, Ah Chung, Ah Hwa
Go on in, Miss
Daddy
Who's that?
Kwei-tseng, see who's there
Your daughter is back
No, this is not my daughter
My daughter studied at Westleyan
She is filial and considerate
She knows how to respect her elders
Father, I am always filial always considerate
Are you?
If so, you wouldn't have betrayed me
And fallen in love with that Sun Yat-sen
But our love is true
Oh, really?
Ching-ling listen to Mother Think it over carefully
As a match
Sun Yat-sen is a little too old for you
His life is not secure
And he's under tremendous pressure
You think he can bring you happiness?
I'm old enough to know what happiness is
Have you thought of your parents' happiness?
You know, because of you
We've become laughing stocks
My daughter in love with my friend
Don't mind what others say
You're a revolutionary
Revolution is the business of the state
My daughter is my own business
Damn it! I've devoted my life to his revolution
Now the revolution has come into my house
You're too old-fashioned
Dad, aren't we building a new China?
Yes, but what you're doing will destroy the new China
Being with him like this
Will ruin his reputation
No, it won't I'm his loyal assistant
Dad, you once said
Yat-sen is the Lincoln of new China
I just want to live happily with the Lincoln of China
Lincoln is not for you to fall in love with
He's just for you to respect
Not for you to... live happily ever after with
Why not?
There's no Why not
This is not love! This is just hero worship
I give up, I'll go to Japan tomorrow
And ask Yat-sen to talk to you
I'm not talking to him and you're not going back
I have to go, he's waiting for me
No, I won't let you go
You're just a bundle of contradictions
No, don't let her leave
Lock her up! And let her think it over
Go on
Why are you shouting at me?
Ching-ling
Dear Ching-ling: Even if the whole family is against it
You have the full support of your little sister here
O, to elope, how romantic that must be
Everyone should have a Camelot
Whether it be created by themselves or given as a gift
Sister, you have my blessings
I'll follow your example and marry a great man one day
Stop! Stop
Police! Where's the police?
God damn it
You scoundrel! You should be arrested
You liar! You liar, Sun Yat-sen
You cheated away my daughter
You cheated away my friendship, too
I gave my life and my money to your revolution
But I'm not giving you my daughter
You stole her
You are no longer my friend
And you - you are no longer my daughter
And as for your goddamn revolution
I'm goddamn through with it
Damn it
You liar! God damn it
Bravo
One more
Look at that
That's young fashion, I suppose
Big Sister
You're late again
Dad, Mom
Where's Ching-ling? Isn't she coming?
Dad, you want something to eat?
Great, I love Ah Hwa's dimsum
I'm not hungry, you go ahead
So this is the famous third daughter of the Soong Family
Kai-shek, forget it
She's from a distinguished family and educated abroad
Would she be interested in a soldier like you?
I studied at a Japanese military school too
We're both educated abroad
So you think you're match for her?
Bravo
Send some dim sum over to them
Don't waste your time
I've heard she's already engaged in America
If she can get engaged she can get disengaged
What about your wife and children?
I can also get disengaged in a civilized way
You've been nothing but a soldier for 20 years
Now you talk about civilization?
Fighting is part of civilization
Only civilized people know the art of war
Please enjoy the food
Who is this man?
That's Chiang Kai-shek Sun Yat-sen's most promising officer
He helped set up the provisional government in Canton
But what's the use?
I've heard he's arrogant and bad-tempered
Furthermore, he's already married
What?
Nothing
Never mind him
Sir, for you
Excuse me
This is an emergency so I'll come straight to the point
Please say
I've just received an urgent message
Dr and Madam Sun are surrounded by rebelling soldiers
They are in grave danger
What?
As his military attack I will rush there to protect them
Is Ching-ling safe?
This is... Miss May-ling, is it?
Yes
Never fear I'll make sure everything's fine
Oh no, and Ching-ling is pregnant
What a shame
A good show has been ruined
Ching-ling hasn't come out yet
Sir, we must run
I want to go back to find her
Anyone there?
No, no one
Be careful
Sir, are you all right?
I'm fine, Kai-shek, and you?
I'm fine, I'm used to this sort of thing
Sir, it's too dangerous here
We'd better move to a safer spot
But if we leave Ching-ling won't be able to find us
We've already waited over 40 days
So Ching-ling has been running for over 40 days
Sir, it looks like Madam
It's Madam Sun
Ching-ling
I'm so happy you're safe
But they're all gone
What do you mean?
All fifteen are dead?
Sixteen
Sixteen?
Fifteen guards... and our baby
Don't be upset. We'll have babies in the future I promise
From this story to that story there's no end
From this end to that end there's a story
All about a really skinny man
With barely enough skin on his face
When he opens his mouth he closes his eyes
When he opens his eyes he closes his mouth
Big Sister
Ching-ling Are you all right?
May-may, you're here, too?
How long have I been sleeping?
Three day
May be the wind chimes woke you up
Wind chimes?
Look closely Remember?
The ones from the Echo Wall when we were kids
Why are they still here?
I've been keeping them for you, girls
One for Little Pigtail
And one for Little Lantern
What about yourself?
Chimes at my age? I'm already a mother
Baby, say hello to auntie
So big already! She's adorable
What's your name?
Rosamond
Same as my Christian name?
To commemorate my sister who eloped 3 years ago
Ching-ling why don't you have a baby girl, too
And name her after Big Sister, Nancy
No, no better have 2 girls
The other one named after me, May-may
Silly girl
I'm serious I'll go and tell your husband now
No
There's something you don't understand
And Yat-sen doesn't know either
What is it?
The doctor said I'll never have children again, ever
Sir, I think you can no longer count on these warlords
They can turn against you at any time
I know, they're all the same
Merciless when fighting among themselves
But gutless when facing foreign invasion
Right! We should rely on our own people
In fact, I want to set up an army
As well as a military school
Good, as for money, leave it to me
Bond, loans, anything
That's excellent
As for the head, I have someone in mind
Kai-shek I've always wanted to give you a chance
Sir, I fear I don't deserve it
But I do appreciate it
You are too humble
The country is in need of capable men
I've always admired your military skills
Well
Since you think me worthy I'll accept the assignment
Uncle mum says this plane is made in China
Yes, Rosamond, every piece of it
How wonderful! Brother-in-law, has it ever flown?
Not yet
Miss May-ling, would you like to try?
No, it's too windy and my skin is too sensitive
Yes, I know all about that
Would you like to sit over there? It's less windy
All right
Your brother-in-law is really a man of vision
To fight, we need an army
To have an army we need a military school
And he's smart to appoint your head of the school
That's nothing
I just studied at a Japanese military school for a few years
I've heard about that
Really?
I did get a degree
You mean, a military degree? What does that prove?
Yes, what does that prove
A soldier proves himself on the battlefield
Countrymen the first plane made in China
Is about to take off
To show my confidence
I will fly with the pilot
Ching-ling, you've never flown before
This plane hasn't either
But that's too completely different things
What's the difference? We're both made in China
Don't you have confidence in China-made products?
Sure, but
I know you have, but the people don't
Don't worry
Take care
Do you want to fly, too?
Only the first lady can fly
So can the wife of the head of the military school
Sister
Listen to me
I can see that this Chiang Kai-shek is a man of destiny
He has the ambition and the ability to achieve great things
And now, he has the opportunity, too
Opportunity? In a military school?
Think about it
From now on, all officers of China
Will be his students
And will have to honor him
So the man of vision is really himself
Little Lantern, now you understand?
What if I understand - or not?
Master, come back here in the shade
The plane has already gone
But you know
I've done all the right things
Yes, all of them right things
So what has gone wrong?
Tell me
May be
I should never have sent them abroad... Never
The Soong Dynasty
The business that risks lives and loses money
The Soong Dynasty... may your cups always runneth over
Master
Help! Someone come help
Dad... how are you?
Old heng, go get it! Quickly
Yes, Madam, I understand
Dad
Dad, in the past three years
I've missed you every day
I hoped that you would forgive me
But believe me
Yat-sen and I have never betrayed you
He just wanted to be my husband and your friend
We don't understand why the two things together
Would break your heart
But Dad
Just as you have faith in the revolution
We have faith in love Do you understand?
What are you doing?
Lie back down
Be careful
Dad! What do you want?
Don't cry
I'm here I'm here to listen, don't cry
Two years later, Yat-sen left me too
Suddenly, I lost all the men in my life
My father, my son and my husband
After all, in all revolutions
Many men lost their lives
While many women lost their love
Sir, after you finish peace talks with the Peking warlords
We must deal with the Communists in the Nationalist Party
What's wrong with the Communists?
They're destroying our Party! What did you say?
Shut up! Both of you
As I've said, in future China
We should unite all the parties
We should accept the Communists
Not destroy them
To include, not exclude
He was so close, so close
To realizing his dream of unifying China
When liver cancer finally brought him down
It's all right! Long live, Dr Sun
Long live? What's long live?
When will the Chinese ever understand?
The reign of emperors is over
Sir, diplomatic ties with Britain will be maintained. Don't worry
Don't worry
Sir, about the Military School will you leave it with Kai-shek?
Sir, the North Expedition - any changes?
It's hopeless now. He's fading fast...
Mr. Wang, please read out Dr Sun's will
For 40 years I have devoted myself to the Revolution
To seek independence and equality for China
To achieve this aim we must awaken the people
And associate with the countries that treat us as equals
Now the Revolution is not yet complete
Comrades, we must strive on!
Madam Sun, please help Dr Sun to sign
Madam Sun
So we two are finally alone
I am just afraid
You will soon be left alone on your own
Ching-ling, you know
The only time in my life
That I followed my own heart and ignored the others
was the day I married you
I have little to leave you
just some books
and this house
There is more
There's no more
There's the blood stain you left in the book
and the memories you left in the house
Yes, and my dreams outside of it
That's more than enough
Yes
So I'll leave you this house
along with it's memories
and it's dreams
Long after this day Ching-ling wouldn't draw back her curtains
As if this would keep Yat-sen's memory
forever inside the house
I'm not sure
No one is
However
it became clear to me
who would be the man I would share
50 years of my life with
while the love among our sisters
was changing along the way
Has someone been smoking?
I'll say this one last time
If you want to smoke go home and smoke
Smoke when you meet with the damn warlords and Communists
But don't smoke in my military
Smoking, drinking, indolence
You claim to be soldiers
A real soldier should have a complex mind but a simple life
Let's start the meeting
I'd only wanted to be Yan-sen's partner in life
I'd never thought I would become
the guardian of his legacy
Well, I suppose there're some who create a revolution
and there're others who are created by revolution
Ching-ling, come out now the food is ready
Sister, see how warm the sun is
Come on
How can we eat that much food?
It's just a little something I prepared
Madam, would you like me to hang Dr Sun's clothes?
I'll do it myself
Miss May-ling they're from Generalissimo Chiang
Madam Sun, Madam Kung we're come for Miss May-ling
May-may, enjoy yourself This time I won't join you
I just can't do it
When I ride fast, I can't aim
When I slow down, the animal disappears
Yes, that's the key
ride fast and aim accurately
How do you do that?
No matter how fast you go
no matter how quickly you aim
your eyes should follow a straight line
Aim at the target, never wavering
In love?
May-ling love with Chiang Kai-Shek?
Impossible
Didn't he just get married last month?
And I've heard he keeps several mistresses
Well, no man is perfect and the brave deserve the far
When love comes, what can you do?
After all, you should understand
Strange, I don't think of this is love
Haven't you seen how happy Chiang is?
If this isn't love I don't know what it is
An investment
There're many who'll invest in our family for their future
Even if it's an investment
I think all will benefit
Really? Thing about it
Today Chiang is the rising star of national politics
With the power of Chiang the wealth of Kung
And the prestige of Soong family
We'd become the most powerful group in China
Group?
You share my money, I share his power he shares your prestige
Well, this may be a kind of Communism
Ching-ling there's something I've wanted to say
Stay away from the Communists
Why?
Then why do you want May-ling to avoid Chiang?
This is for her own good
I'm also thinking of your own good
Sisters
I am no longer Little Lantem
And I know what I'm doing
A woman's greatest gamble is her choice of a husband
This is also her greatest right
Ai-ling, you chose H H Kung
Ching-ling, you chose Sun Yat-sen
Weren't those gambles, too?
Did you have fun?
Tired?
This is for you
Mr Chiang, Mother has three conditions
Before she considers about marriage
In fact, just three little things
Of course
Madam Soong Miss May-ling has already told me
First I swear upon my honor as a soldier
to love May-ling forever
Second I promise to divorce my present wife
I'm already working on it
And the religious beliefs of our family?
This... I beg Madam Soong to give me more time
I know nothing about the Bible
I cannot believe in anything I don't understand
Of course not
Ai-ling
Mr Chiang, here is a Bible
left behind by my husband
Somewhere inside the Book he wrote a line
I won't tell you where it is
I hope you'll read it from beginning to end
Read carefully
And you will find it
Certainly, certainly Thank you Madam Soong
Well, I must take my leave
Victory for the Northern Expedition! Unification for China
And you will see me through a glass darkly
All will gather before the Son of man
and He shall separate them one from another
as a shepherd divide the sheep from the goats
Sheep on the right, goals on the left
Ally with the Soviet Union! Assist the Proletanats
Jesus said you shall forgive your enemies
Till seventy times seven
So Jesus pointed to the woman and said into them
He said that is without sin among you
let him cast the first stone
See you, auntie
See you, bye
Madam, are you ready?
Madam, if you're not ready don't force it
I am ready
Here come Madam Sun
Gentlemen
Some leaders of the Nationalist Party
are working against Dr Sun's will
Instead of uniting all parties
they are persecuting the Communists
So I, Soong Ching-ling
hereby resign from the Nationalist Party
Can you name the leaders involved?
Down with Nationalists! Down with Communists
Ching-ling why do you oppose Kai-shek so openly?
They just want to warn rebel members of the party
That's not the real reason
He only wants to seize this opportunity
To wipe out those who oppose him
These Communists organize strikes and attack embassies
They're ruining the country
Right
This year alone they're organized over 500 strikes
damaging the economy
And our banking business
Already 3 embassies have sent us ultimatums
If the Communists aren't stopped they'll send in troops
Is this why Communists are being slain?
The Nationalist Party is growing
Kai-shek wouldn't know what every member has done
Then how can he be a leader?
I think you're prejudiced against Kai-shek
You know, he is going to marry May-ling
What?
May-may, is that true?
Yes, I have decided
Mother has consented, too
The Kung Chiang and Soong family will soon be one
Well then, the most powerful group that you longed for
will finally be a reality
What's this-you, we, them?
You are one of the family
No
I object to this alliance
I object to May-may marrying Chiang Kai-shek
What do you mean, Sis?
When you married Sun Yat-sen everyone objected
except me-I supported you
May-may, this is not a kind of trade
At least, be fair
You can marry the Lincoln of China why can't I?
Because Chiang isn't the Lincoln of China
He's only the Napoleon of Ningpo
You can't dismiss him like this
You're just afraid I'll take your place
What?
If you're to marry a good man I'd so happy for you
There you are wrong
Men aren't divided into good and bad- only strong and weak
Is this what you believe? Yes
In this warlord period only the strong will survive
I can't believe this
Yat-sen sacrificed his life to create a new China
Only for it to become such a lawless place
I think Yat-sen was lucky
He lived when true and false could still be discerned
And then died like a legend
May-may, I won't allow you to say that
Auntie
What's the name of this kitty? Auntie
Rosamond! Come here
Come on, May-ling
Rosamond, come on
Don't bother auntie
Hurry up
Stop, stop
Mother! Ching-ling
I was afraid you wouldn't come
I didn't know the way
And you wouldn't let me tell your sisters
Well, everybody's so busy... each their own preoccupation
Is it worth letting differences in opinion
Hurt your relationship?
But these differences
Will affect the happiness of millions of people
You can't even guarantee your own happiness
how can you guarantee that of the peoples?
Mom, I have to go now
I won't ask you to stay
No matter where you go
I will support you
I only hope
To see you return while I'm alive
You will... you will
Go
Ching-ling, take it
The rain is heavy Take it, Mom
My way home is short your journey is long
Go on, take it
Take care
Mister do you know where that ship goes to?
Madam you saw her off and you don't know
How could I know?
1927 Russia
A bow to each other
A bow to the guests
A bow to Madam Soong
Three bow to the Father of China, Dr Sun
First bow
Second bow
Third bow
May China be unified!
Brother, see the pearl on Miss May-ling's shoe? It's huge
Of course
Dad said it's from a warlord
who stole it from the crown of the Empress Dowager
Really? Yes
Our modern China is really great
Just think the pearl from the Dowager's crown
now adorns Miss May-ling's shoe- which she wears to dance
Soong Ching-ling marries comrade in Russia
Excuse me, I want some cheese Thank you
I heard Miss Ching- ling is getting married in Russia
Bullshit! Someone's creating a rumor
May-ling I think our honeymoon must be delayed
Why?
I've received a letter from the party
They want you to become First Lady right away
The Japanese army entered China in a freezing cold winter
Chiang Kai-shek insisted that he should
fight the Communists first then the Japanese
And so the Japanese solders entered China unstopped
I remember Yat-sen once told me
internal injuries are harder to treat than external ones
How about the purge at the Nationalist Party?
Well, China has so many internal problem. Who's to blame?
And it was in this winter
That my usually strong mother fell sick
And I saw my sisters again at mother's bedside
Didn't you go to Russia yesterday?
Mom, I've returned
That's fine then Everything's fine
Ching-ling have you taken your medicine?
Yes
And May-ling have you put on your ointment?
Where are the kids?
The kids are fine We've all come back
Mom, have some soup first
No, it's too hot
You must be tired, get some sleep
I can't sleep
Mom, let me play you a song, then
Listen how well your father plays
Still raining
It seems so quiet after Dad and Mom have gone
But at least we three can get together
share a moon cake and chat
The autumn moon festival is for the whole family
Not just for your sisters
Ha-ha Kung
Look at this huge moon cake
36 egg yolks, 18 catties in weight
Why are you so late?
Someone's coming even later
Who? Uncle Kai-shek
Didn't you say he wouldn't come tonight?
Sister, we are one family
Uncle
Rosamond, David, how are you?
Brother-in-law how are you? How are you?
Sister Ai-ling, how are you?
Sister Ching-ling, how are you?
This is your eight-treasure moon cake?
It's too small, how can we share it?
It's the biggest in Shanghai
You know the situation very well
The Japanese are stirring things up So are the Communists
We are short of supplies
Ching-ling, please ask the unions not to strike anymore
But people have the right to strike
It's written in the National Constitution, right?
Right! In America there is the Statue of Liberty
I'm going to get some hairy crabs
We have one in China, too
But someone has turned Liberty into a mere Statue
It would be my pleasure to discuss this with you
Let's not waste such a beautiful full moon night
That's good
After all, I want to hear your opinion
Where should we start?
How about the purge at the Nationalist Party?
Fine To put it simply
I think Communism is ridiculous dangerous
And against human nature
That gives you the right to murder people?
Everybody come and eat
Uncle, please open one for me
Reward those who deserve it punish those who deserve it
Kill those who deserve it, too
So, it was you who ordered the purge?
Did you pester Dr Sun about national affairs, too
None of your business
All right
Since you're no longer a Party member
the Party is none of your business either
Fine, then I ask you as a citizen
What crime did the Communists commit? Why
Rosamond, come on
Kai-shek is merely trying to explain that
Communism is incompatible to the nature of Chinese people
But I don't see why the Chinese people are so different from
the Soviet people or the East Europeans
Please. Do we have to talk like this? On a night like this?
Order! Order
This is China! Please speak Chinese
Please speak in a language everyone understands
All right, then please listen carefully
I don't care what you think
Millions of Chinese believe in Communism
Really? Forgive my ignorance I've only heard that
Before 30 to believe in Communism is romantic
After 30, to believe is a fool
Well spoken
Let us romantic fools who remain forever 30
go on with the revolution
The rain just wouldn't stop
We might not see the autumn moon this year
It seems to have stopped raining
It has
Look, there's the moon
Madam, the moon is out Madams
What? They've gone already?
Declaration of Soong Ching-ling
Madam, what do you think of the Nationalist Party now?
From a political point of view the Party is dead
What do you think the problem is?
The one ruining the Party isn't the opposition
but its leader, Chiang Kai-shek
Why do you say that?
The facts are plain to see
Before, we were slaves of old China
Now we are slaves of the slaves of old China
Great
Ching-ling really has guts
Either she doesn't do it or she goes all the way
Forget it... you're above this
She's just a woman
If she weren't a woman
She'd have taken over my place already
Ching-ling won't stop till it's too late
She won't stop even then
Remember
We can't kill her and can't just wound her
Cripple her No more, no less
Cripple?
If she's killed, there'll be an uprising
If she survives, it'll be even worse
But if she's crippled
Can't walk, can't talk, can't think
it will bring peace to the world
Sir, we've caught another 8 who attacked the military police
Damn it, those bastards
I have to kill a few to teach them a lesson
I'm eating can you not talk about killing?
Never mind, Kai-shek
Leave business at the office Let's keep peace at home
After all, we are one family
If she weren't your sister she'd be dead already
Kai-shek, listen
I don't care how you deal with the Communists
But I won't let anyone harm a hair on her head
Let me make that clear
I have millions of followers
Who knows which one might go crazy?
If anything happens to her I can't be responsible
She deserves what's coming to her
Kai-shek, have you considered something?
What?
Lf... Ching-ling dies
she'll become a martyr, a legend
They already have a legend of Sun Yat-sen
That's already too much!
Ching-ling! May-may what's the matter?
Why did you come to such a place alone?
These are the graves of our parents
I often come here alone, why?
Ching-ling, I must tell you something
Go head, what is it?
Ching-ling, we are one family
Please don't oppose Kai-shek anymore
It was nothing personal
I only criticized his persecution of the Communists
You should understand He tires to control the Communists
because he wants to unify the country
Do you call killing those who oppose you unify?
You can't put that way
I just say what I think This is freedom of speech
Every word I say is true
Including the rumors you're spread
About my cosmetics and clothing expenses?
I've never spread such nonsense
I've only heard reports that
I re-married in Russia so I'm no longer First Lady
Do you suggest I did that?
I just think someone wants to take over
The legacy of Yat-sen and make me step down
Ridiculous
I think someone is jealous I might be First Lady
May-may, have I ever fought with you over anything?
I went to Russia to avoid fighting with you, don't you know?
I don't know
Maybe you went there for support so you can rise again
They say Communists coffins are donated by Russians, right?
Shut up
We don't have much, but we have coffins
go tell the Nationalists
Ching-ling
Ching-ling... Ching-ling
What else?
You must be careful
Someone wants to kill you
I know
This morning I received two bullets
Yes. Internal injuries are even harder to treat
Even those who know no medicine know this
From then on
There were many rumors
That someone wanted to murder Ching-ling
or someone wanted to shut her up forever
in fact, these wouldn't come true
At least, while I'm alive
no one would dare harm a hair on her head
But we haven't had a reunion since
Not that we didn't want one
we simply had to avoid speculations
But how could we imagine
that ten years would pass before we met again
So much happened in ten years
Nationalist were still fighting Communists
Chinese were still fighting Chinese
And the Japanese took advantage of the situation
Chinese stop fighting Chinese
Unify the Country! Fight the Japanese!
Stop civil war now
Damn, these students are a nuisance
I think you should fight the Japanese first
Leave the Communists till later
What do you know about military strategy?
You know why the Ming dynasty fell?
Because they fought the Japanese invaders before the Manchu clan
And in the end the Manchurians took the country
The Japanese are only a disease of the skin
the Communists are a sickness of the soul
But our skin is all torn open now
That's why I'm going to Xian
Marshal Chang and General Yang those bastards
How dare they collaborate with the Red Army
Chinese stop fighting Chinese
Stop the civil war
Stand together against foreign invasion
Do it
Chinese stop fighting Chinese
Stop the civil war
I know the strength of the Japanese
If we meet them head on we'll be crushed
So first, unify China. Then we can endure a long war with Japan
China is such a big country to occupy
And a prolonged war will drag the Japanese down
I am leaving
Here comes Chiang Kai-shek
Chinese stop fighting Chinese
Connect me to Xian
What? The lines are all down
Is Minister Chan there?
What do you mean he's not there?
I am H H Kung
Quiet! Play outside
The Xian train station and airport are shut down?
Then connect me to Party Central
The lines are all busy? Cut in for me
Ching-ling Big sister
I'm glad you're here
Don't let this get out Yes, Madam
Ching-ling, you're here, too
Let's go in first
So have you found out who's behind this?
Yes, it's Marshal Chang and General Yang
They kidnapped Kai-shek! Then I understand
They want him to stop civil war and ally with Communists
Marshal Chang is totally mad
What's this? A mutiny?
They want to tear down heaven?
What's this 'heaven' talk?
You think it's still the Qing era?
Era? This is the chaotic era
How dare they kidnap the Generalissimo
Frankly the war has reached such a stage
that even I think Kai-shek should be arrested
We have a chance if the parties unite
Now we waste our resources killing one another
Chang merely kidnapped Kai-shek Others may go further
What's the matter, Officer Ho?
Madam, we're decided to bomb Xian
What? You must not
Why not?
Right, time is short we can start bombing tomorrow
But the Generalissimo is in Xian
Officer Ho
Lucky you are here to lead those idiots
If you're someone else I'd have thought you a traitor
And have you shot
I don't get it
Under the pretext of saving the Generalissimo
someone may want to seize power
But you, of course, you won't
Of course, I won't but
But what?
The plan was passed in the meeting so that it won't be difficult for you
Then please arrange another meeting with me present
So that it won't be difficult for you
I wouldn't dare trouble you, Madam
But... 20 divisions have been already dispatched
Cut the bull shit
Even if 200 divisions were dispatched just recall them at once
Yes, yes
Well, in Madam's opinion what should we do now?
We should send someone to Xian to negotiate
It's very dangerous-whom should we send?
I will go myself
The problem now is Kai-shek He is bad-tempered and stubborn
Only I can talk him over
May-may
What is it, Ching-ling?
Let me call the Communists
That may help
Didn't you just say Kai-shek deserved arrest?
Yes, but he doesn't deserve to die
And he cannot die
I'll arrange things for you
And also get the media to exert pressure on the rebels in Xian
Thank you, Sisters
Cut the bull shit
Ah Hwa, if anything happens just shoot me
Madam
Take it I won't die in the hands of just anybody
Madam, I've heard those Northern warlords are fierce
Be careful
Madam
Madam, this way please
May-ling, what are you doing here?
I heard that you're been injured
and can't come here yet So I'm here to see you
Have you seen a doctor?
Yes
Madam, the doctor comes everyday
I know you world treat him well
Thank you Marshal Chang All your service
The Generalissimo protects China
It's our duty to protect him
Sir, Madam, please take your time
How are things in Nanking?
Nanking is... full of conspiracies
The great danger now is not Marshal Chang Nor the Communists
It's those who claim to save you
those who plan to bomb Xian
Son of a bitch
Kai-shek, have you thought it over?
If you were willing to cooperate with the Communists
Never! No way
Another two weeks and I could have wiped them out
Kai-shek, your temper! It's ruined so many things
But this time... Impossible
If the Japanese are my greatest enemy
then the Communists are my second greatest
Well
Why not work with your second greatest enemy first
to destroy your greatest enemy?
I really don't know what they want
Can't we just pay money and fix things?
If money could solve everything we'd have common language
And the world would be a simpler place
Special report from Xian
After agreeing to Marshal Chang's 8 demands
Generalissimo Chiang has been released
Bravo
A toast to that
I'll drink to that, too
Cheers
Make him fight the Japs! Now
Verbal promise is no good
Make him fight the Japs! Now
Be careful
No, you put it on, it's cold
Make him sign the agreement
Are you all right? I'm fine
Let's return to Nanking at once It's a nightmare here
What's the matter?
Pilot, what's happening?
It's totally dark down there I can't see a thing!
The power at Nanking airport must have been knocked out
Ah Hwa, what's going on?
The lighting facilities down there are out We can't see
Madam, our fuel is running out
And we have to keep circling till we see the runway
May be the runway is too dark to see
I've an idea What?
Believe it or not
money really can solve problems
Ah Chung, let's go make some calls
Lord, please let us land safely Upon return to Nanking
I'll build a great cross on top of South Mountain in thanks
Look
There seems to be some light
Madam, what's that?
They're car lights, car headlights
What's going on?
It must be Big Sister
Most car owners in Nanking are her friends
She must have mobilized them to light up the runway
Pilot, let's land
Countrymen, Kai-shek now declares that
we stop the civil war and form a united confront against Japan
Hooray
The headlights of the cars lit up the runway
and also lit up May-ling on the political stage
After the Xian Incident
May-ling moved happily into the spotlight
To you, who are enjoying the security and serenity of you own home
I wish to bring a message from the women of war-ridden China
It is this
if you wish to avoid the calamities that are befalling China now
and the killings and the mutilation of your loved ones
boycott Japanese goods
until Japanese militaries have left our soil
Don't push, B626 There's enough for everyone
Say, Thank you Madams
Thank you Madams
Amidst the thank you's of the orphans
The three of us got back together again
To many Chinese
The Song Sisters' visit to the battle fronts
was symbolic of the reconciliation between Nationalists and Communists
After all, it's been 10 years since we last appeared together
Though we decided to step onto stage together again
We were not sure
Who would step off first
It's time for me to go Where're you going?
I promised Him that after trip I'll go to Hong Kong with him
Hong Kong?
There people don't care about politics just finance
I'm tired of this political life
Com on
My brave soldiers
Tomorrow, wear the helmets I brought you
Go to the front and fight the Japs
Then sound the bugles for victory and come back home
Thank you, Dr. Kung
Madams, please move closer together
Sisters, I must go now
The future of New China depends on you
But have we found the New China that
Father wanted us to find?
You remember the orphans? They didn't even have shoes to wear
And it's been 30 years since the Revolution
Talking about New China, Madams?
Just chatting
I'm just thinking
in future someone may turn your lives into a movie
And they'll find the finest actresses
They won't find better actresses than us
Honey... honey
It's time to go home
Take care
May-may, when you return to Chung King please take care
What? Ching-ling, you're not going back with me either?
No, I intend to go to Shanghai
After all his should be the end of the show
Ching-ling you're been by yourself for 20 years
Aren't you lonely? Come to Chung King with me
Thank you, May-may
Don't they, say
Chung King is a city of conspiracies?
Look! Japanese bombers
Are you all right, Madams?
Madams, let's get out of here
A good show... has been ruined
A woman who brings too much luck to her man...
Loses her own
Someone wands to replace me and make me step down
Someone is jealous I might be First Lady
Before, we were slaves of old China!
Now, we're slaves of slaves of Old China
Order! Order! This is China
Japan surrendered
Fire
The peace that victory brought didn't last long
Soon China faced a total civil war
Finally, the Liberation Army took over the country
Nationalists retreated to Taiwan
Communists founded the People's Republic of China
They are Charlie Soong's daughters
The new women of new China ones who'll do great things
But have we found the New China...
That father wanted us to find?
Chiang Kai-shek and Soong May-ling
left with party officials and followers
for Taiwan in 1949
They never returned to China
Soong Ching Ling was the only
Soong family member to stay in China
She and the other family members
never saw each other again
From this story to that, there's no end
From this end to that end there's a story
all about a skinny man With barely enough skin on his face
When he opens his mouth he closes his eyes
When he opens his eyes he closes his mouth
Madam, it Dr Sun hadn't died so young
Would the history of China have been different?
Lf?
There are no... if it is in history