I know from my personal records
that my father was Chinese,
and my mother Russian.
They were professors at Tangshan University.
They both were killed in the earthquake in 1976.
Except me, no one of my family survived.
Just three years old then,
I was left alone in the world.
The orphanage became my home.
There I have lived since.
THE CHINESE BOTANIST'S DAUGHTERS
TANGSHAN ORPHANAGE
Goodbye, Matron.
Are you leaving?
Remember, the head of the Botanical Garden of Kunlin where you are going
is Professor Chen.
He is a famous herbal medicine specialist.
This internship is a valuable opportunity.
A month and a half is not long, but you will learn a lot of things.
We will need your knowledge when you come back.
Hello.
Sir, I'd like to speak to Professor Chen.
You are speaking to him now. What do you want?
My name is Li Ming.
I am an intern and going to work
- in your Herbal Medicine... - Excuse me, comrade.
Do you know what time it is?
It is already 21:08.
How dare you bother a professor at this time!
Father, what do you want me to do now?
First, prepare some seeds,
then carefully remove the weeds.
Professor Chen?
- You are Li Ming, the intern? - Yes.
You seem to have a problem with timing.
Yesterday you broke my rule by calling me at 21:08.
Today you are an hour late.
We are already having a rest after the morning work.
Remember,
never bother a professor after 21:00.
Is that a bird?
Professor Chen,
this is a little present for you.
It was not necessary.
Long live Chairman Mao!
People who sold me the bird said he could say a lot of things.
But all of them of the time of the Culture Revolution.
What is your name?
Enough.
Arrange for her to stay.
Isn't it only a month and a half?
No need to make a room.
Li Ming, help me.
I want her to feel happy while she is here.
Long live Chairman Mao!
Lts Latin name is
Polygonum Multiflorum.
In Chinese we call it He Show Wu.
In herbal medicine it is used against kidney and liver diseases.
According to the ancient medical books,
our ancestors used it
to treat men's wet dreams.
Today, we use it against constipation as well.
The taste of its root is bittersweet.
Once you try you will not forget it.
As future doctors, each of you should taste it.
Come back, Comrade Li.
What's the matter?
Tell me what I asked you to bring us.
Shou Wu.
Exactly.
And what have you brought?
Wu Tou!
It is not Shou Wu! It is Wu Tou!
It is poisonous to humans. You know that?
Why didn't you open your eyes wide?
Luckily, I checked myself.
Otherwise, everyone here would be dead because of you!
It is a great privilege for you
to study in the best botanical garden.
A lot of people dream of coming here!
Whoever sent you here
must have been blind.
I am sorry.
You know, actually
I understand what you feel.
Like you, I also grew without a mother.
When I was ten years old,
she died.
You needn't go on.
Don't leave.
My father's temper is always like that.
He is severe with everyone. Not only you.
But in fact he is very kindhearted.
After a while you will see it yourself.
I've been tying to adapt myself to him for 20 years,
but still cannot endure his temper sometimes.
Father, your breakfast.
Father.
Breakfast.
My breakfast time is 7:30, not 8:00.
There are certain times for everything.
You should know that.
Take it away. I don't want it today.
This is
Erythrina.
A toxic leguminous plant.
Comrade Li!
Write it down: "Erythrina".
In the past
people soaked its fruits in water
for several days.
Then purified the juice
with sand filters
to obtained a poison.
These days,
people generally use it
for local anesthesia.
Professor Chen,
you are a fount of knowledge!
Officinal rosin is different.
You need to keep tramping it
until it turns snow-white.
It is very effective
against skin inflammations
and abscesses.
You are so beautiful.
Add some water, please.
Looking for Ginseng again?
Good morning, Master Wang.
Glad to see you.
When did you arrive?
Just now.
This time with an assistant?
This is Li Ming. She is under training here.
Ginseng is scarce this year.
Please.
Wait!
There, now we need not fear the snakes anymore.
The smell of orpiment will keep them away.
Li Ming, look.
These are Atractylis.
Two of them.
Careful.
You know, a long time ago, in the south of China
thieves carried a root on their waists.
If they were caught and whipped, it helped the wounds heal faster.
One of them, Zhao Kuangyin, later became a mighty emperor.
He gave this plant the name Crimson Whip.
You know, my father... has sometimes heart attacks.
But then he found an ancient remedy, based on Mountain Wisteria.
It was used to treat heart diseases in the past.
Although the Mountain Wisteria looks the same as that in the garden,
it is twice as heavy.
Look.
Its juice is snow-white.
Is his heart good now?
It is pretty well under control.
Ginseng is like a human. It has a soul.
You must tie them first.
Otherwise it would run away when you start digging.
An.
It's so interesting to be with you.
Professor Chen, your tea is ready.
Did you remember to put five grams less than in the morning?
I did.
Wait!
Hadn't An told you to use the rainwater for tea?
Yes.
Why didn't you use it then?
Isn't it full of rainwater?
It is.
You thought I wouldn't notice.
I can even tell
of which season the rainwater is.
An.
This is the place where I hurt my foot.
There are large stones here. Be careful.
The mud in this pond is my father's favorite.
I come here several times a year to collect it.
An.
Today the duck legs are neither hard nor soft.
Cooked exactly right.
I can feel it melting in my mouth.
Taste one.
Thank you, Professor Chen. I don't like them.
You don't?
They are delicious.
I think there is nothing better in the world.
You don't eat either?
I am not hungry today.
Both of you are so strange tonight.
An!
Brother! You got the wrong person! Here I am.
Sorry.
Ready?
- Ready? - Ready!
Rock, scissors, paper.
Scissors, rock, paper.
Rock, scissors, paper.
You lost again!
Dan!
Father is coming.
Father!
Will you ever grow up?
Always surprises!
Come, brother.
I'll get you acquainted.
This is Li Ming. She is an intern with us.
Hello, Li Ming.
Hello.
I hope I didn't hurt you.
I'm her brother, Dan.
You came right in time.
Let us, our family and Li Ming,
go for a little outing.
What is it?
A peasant wedding.
Think about it.
You are 26 years old. Not so young.
By your age I had already been married.
What do you think of her?
And you?
You're not seeing anyone, are you?
It seems we have the same problem.
I find they make a perfect couple.
As Li Ming's friend, you should help your brother
and get this marriage settled.
The sooner the better.
The oarsman is not very strong.
Don't want to brag but I can row much faster than him.
Do you believe me? I practiced and won the third prize.
Look at my biceps.
Press it. Come on, go ahead.
- It's as hard as... - I believe you.
How do you know that brother likes Li Ming?
And how do you know he wants to get married?
I talked with him about it.
He had no objection to my suggestion.
An, do you remember?
It was your favorite game back then.
You called it the Outdoor Cinema.
Come, Li Ming,
look at this.
An!
Come here.
Come, sit with me.
Let them get to know each other without you.
Real tigress!
Up so early?
An, while they are still asleep,
your brother needs help of a love adviser.
I have written a letter to Li Ming.
I want to know your opinion.
An.
Help your brother.
Look.
You are her closest friend.
Even sharing the underwear.
I will read it to you. Listen.
"Dearest Ming."
"Although we haven't known each long,"
"I insist in addressing you that way."
"Dearest Ming!"
Good beginning, isn't it?
It's tacky.
Listen further.
I am getting to the point.
"Dearest Ming."
"To me it seems we have known each other for a long time."
"Maybe you and I have the same feelings."
"I am a soldier and don't like to waste time."
Stop.
I don't want to listen.
"Let us be straight."
"My life and my career need a woman like you."
"Let us get married."
Aren't you ashamed?
Don't interrupt.
- Here is more... - I have heard enough!
I don't want to hear such nonsense.
You are pathetic.
Where are you going?
An!
I'm starving.
I have hardly eaten for two days.
Two days! Can you believe it?
You have cried.
I can tell.
Never mind.
It's better now that you have come.
Do you doubt me?
I am afraid.
Except for you
I will never fall in love with anybody.
What are these pigeons for?
These pigeons?
They are for the pilgrims
who want to make vows.
After they have made their vows
they release the pigeons.
Different vows require different numbers of pigeons.
Different numbers?
If two people want to love each other lifelong, how many pigeons do they need?
64.
How many to never part?
108.
The luckiest number.
The number of Tibetan Buddhists sutras.
You brother asked me to marry him. I refused.
You should marry him.
Then we will never be apart.
Just like we want.
Marry him?
My brother, he is only a soldier,
not an officer.
Due to the regulations, he cannot bring his family to his garrison in Tibet.
So, his wife can only stay at home in Kunlin,
with me and my father.
May our wish come true.
Never to part.
- How much sticky rice cakes have you left? - Five pounds.
Add two more pounds.
My son's wedding is the happiest event in my life.
Move that a little to the center.
That's better.
Congratulations!
Thank you. May they have a son as soon as possible.
We have laid eight bed-quilts.
Eight is a lucky number.
It will bring them good luck.
Who of you has the most children?
I have three sons and two daughters.
Father,
did you see my new tie?
Damn it!
Getting married tomorrow and can't find it.
Father, your tea.
An!
Come back!
Father, are you not well?
What is going on?
You haven't put a single tea-leaf.
What on earth is going on?
You even cried this afternoon.
An.
I've been waiting for you.
I knew you would come.
Let's do it.
My virginity belongs to you.
Not Dan.
And mine belongs to you.
I feel very honored, that my comrades,
my father's old friends,
and the Matron of Li Ming's orphanage came to attend our wedding.
I ask everyone to raise their glasses to my beautiful bride.
Cheers!
She doesn't drink. I'll do it for her.
I believe
if their mothers
could see this happy moment...
Cheers!
Li Ming, you are the bride. Offer the red cakes to the guests.
Li Ming,
give some to my comrades here.
My friends!
For the welfare of the bride and groom,
I would like to sing a song.
KUNLIN - MINGLI
Come with me.
Can she come with us?
Are you out of your mind?
We are having our honeymoon.
I don't want to go alone!
Don't let me go alone!
What is the matter with you?
Speak.
How come you are not a virgin?
Who screwed you?
Will you speak or not?
Speak!
Speak! Speak!
Will you speak?
Will you speak or not?
Speak! Speak! Speak!
I will kick it out of you!
You shall speak.
Sir, the meal you ordered.
Either speak or I will starve you.
Help!
Feel good?
This is the best sandalwood incense.
Take a good breath.
Here. You too.
Do you know
that Li Shizhen treated you the same way in the past?
It's horrible.
Horrible.
Have you seen her bruises?
Why has she returned without Dan?
He is going back to Tibet.
Have you seen her bruises?
I have.
Have you seen what he did to Li Ming?
Whatever happened,
he is my son.
TWO MONTHS LATER
Were there no duck legs in the marketplace?
- There were. - Why?
I haven't eaten them for several weeks. We shouldn't we get some?
Li Ming doesn't like them.
I hate duck legs.
I told you.
- Sir, the duck legs you ordered. - Thank you.
An!
Coming.
Father.
What took you so long?
Where is the newspaper?
Sorry.
We forgot.
Yesterday you forgot the milk.
Today, the newspaper.
What is going on in your mind?
Nothing goes well in this house anymore!
Someday we will leave together and go far away.
Far, far away.
It is impossible.
If I leave,
my father's life will fall apart.
So, you cannot leave him?
Neither the garden.
I received a letter from Dan this morning.
You have not written to him since you went back.
It's been two months.
I have not had time.
I don't see any problem between you.
He said in the letter
that you were not pregnant.
If you are not pregnant,
and at the moment he cannot come,
I think you should go to see him
or rent a house near his garrison
so that...
One night,
I came here to find you.
You were asleep.
As if you were dead.
There was an odd smell.
Before you came,
I was so lonely,
so terribly lonely.
But since you were here
I have never had
that feeling of loneliness.
This is my own recipe.
These plants
can be hallucinogenic.
Can evoke illusions.
Close your eyes.
Breathe deeply.
They say
the first time is the best,
the most magical.
I'm dizzy.
If you want to forget someone,
or something,
just repeat their names
twenty-eight times.
Earthquake!
Earthquake.
You cried.
I heard it.
Heard what?
A foreign name.
I was called by this name before I was three.
Vera.
That was my mother calling me.
Vera?
Yes.
Vera.
I heard,
I saw my mother.
She had gray eyes. Like mine.
Vera.
This is the first time I have seen her.
What was she doing?
I don't know.
She had short hair.
From now on,
I will comb my hair the way she did.
An!
Father, what's wrong?
What's happened?
You know that these peonies are vulnerable to the rain.
Why didn't you shelter them?
Look at them now.
They are drenched.
What are you doing these days?
Where is your mind wandering?
I am sorry, father.
I forgot.
Everyone can make a mistake.
Why be so upset about that?
How dare you speak to me like that!
Work is work!
It demands carefulness.
Forgetfulness is no excuse.
It is not you who is in charge here!
They are only peonies.
Why make so much fuss?
It is none of your business. I am talking to my daughter.
Talking to your daughter? One may think you're berating a servant.
Shut up!
You are evil!
You bring troubles and misfortunes.
I am not blind.
I see what you have done and keep it in my mind.
I regret...
I regret taking you in.
I know
we will never have peace as long as you are here.
You must leave. Right now!
If she leaves,
I will leave too.
You have changed so much.
I do not recognize my daughter.
You came yourself today!
Why haven't your daughter come?
From now on,
I am going to read the paper I buy myself.
Father, your wine.
An!
Give me some water.
I need to take the medicine.
An!
Demon!
You are a demon!
Long live Chairman Mao!
Let me talk to him.
We should leave the garden.
We will never come back.
Never.
Father!
Father.
COURT OF KUNLIN
I, Judge of the Court,
am going to read you Professor Chen's testimony
he gave our police officer
before he died in a hospital bed.
I, Attorney General,
would like to ask everyone a question.
Why has this case made such a stir in our society?
Why are people so angry?
Why is the government so concerned?
Because Professor Chen's testimony reveals the true cause of his death.
It was not a heart attack,
but another, much more dreadful disease.
The disease that his daughter and daughter-in-law both suffer from.
It is called homosexuality!
It is this perverse passion between people of the same sex
that led to our famous botanist's death.
Chen An,
Li Ming
committed an abominable crime
that neither criminal nor natural law,
neither morals nor the society can tolerate.
They must be severely punished!
Dear Matron,
thank you.
During the trial,
I only heard what you said.
You spoke so kindly of me growing up in the orphanage.
In fact,
that was the first time in my life I had heard such good words of myself.
Other people's testimonies in the court
mean nothing to me.
There is only one person who can judge me.
It is Chen An.
Perhaps,
it is our love.
Dear Matron,
I can no longer go back to study herbal medicine.
Since I have no family,
the orphanage is my only home.
So,
I want to ask you to do for me two things.
First, please pay back our county
the cost of the bullets for our execution.
About 7.8 yuan.
And second,
I would like to invite you to the Mountain Temple in Kunlin.
There put An's and my ashes together
and sprinkle them into the lake
so that
we both can rest in peace.