Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks (2002) - Wang Bing [ENG SUB - BEST QUALITY]

0:44 Tie Xi District, located in the city of Shenyang in northeastern China,

0:49 is the oldest and most extensive industrial manufacturing center in China.

0:54 Built in 1934 to produce armaments for the Japanese Imperial Army,

0:59 the factories were converted to civilian use,

1:02 soon after the People's Republic of China was established in 1949.

1:07 By the late 1950's, the factories were being

1:10 refitted with equipment provided by the Soviet Union.

1:12 Much of it WWII era stock captured from the Germans at the end of the war.

1:17 Most of the 157 Soviet-financed industrial projects in China during this period

1:20 were located in Tie Xi District and the surrounding industrial belt.

1:24 After the Lino-Soviet split in the early 1960's,

1:26 many of these factories and their workers

1:28 were relocated to the interior of China,

1:30 but over 100 factories remained in operation.

1:33 In the early 1980's, factory employment in the district was at an all time high.

1:38 As workers who had been "sent-down"

1:40 to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution,

1:42 began returning to the cities,

1:44 the workforce in Tie Xi District swelled to over one million people.

1:47 By the early 1990's, however,

1:49 most of these state-owned factories had begun to falter,

1:52 and were operating at a loss.

1:55 By late 1999, the factories began to shut down, one by one.

2:04 Hey!

2:05 Guan Ling!

6:42 1999, Shenyang Smelting Factory.

6:44 Built in 1934.

6:45 At one time, the factory employed 13,000 workers.

7:55 Shenyang Smelting Factory; copper smelting plant Copper smelters' break room Did

8:27 you hear Zhao Zhongxiang's hosting a show on CCTV?

8:30 They ought put me up onstage with him.

8:35 Standing there together, nobody would be able to tell us apart.

8:38 Everyone says I look just like him.

8:41 They ought to say he looks just like me!

8:44 I'd bet even he would agree.

9:03 I'm just having my hair cut.

9:08 At least I don't look as old as Jing Liang over there...

9:15 His hair's gone completely white.

9:47 Okay, finished.

9:52 Damn fine work!

9:57 Brush that off for me, will you?

9:59 Get all that stubble off my neck...

10:14 I'm going to take a shower.

10:18 It will only take me 10 minutes.

10:20 I have to go home tonight.

10:22 I've got something to do.

10:24 What's so important that you've got to do it tonight?

10:29 Going out to find a hooker, more likely.

10:37 What's your problem?

10:41 It's not like you've got a wife waiting up for you at home.

10:44 My wife isn't even home.

10:46 Then stop making excuses and play mahjong with us tonight.

10:50 Really why won't you play?

10:57 I just don't want to play, that's all.

10:59 You can play without me tonight.

11:01 -You can't afford to play, right?

11:02 No, it's not that.

11:03 If so, I'll lend you money.

11:05 It's not about the money.

11:13 Fuck, you dropped your wallet.

11:17 I can afford to play.

11:19 I just don't want to, that's all.

11:22 Come on...

11:25 it's too late to get anything done tonight, anyway.

11:27 I've got something tomorrow.

11:28 Don't we all?

11:30 But I need my sleep...

11:32 Oh, and you're the only one who sleeps?

11:34 I'm telling you, I'm sick of your excuses.

11:39 Everyone else is playing.

11:45 No, I can't tonight.

11:46 Fine, don't play, just spare us your excuses.

11:48 Here, Sange...

11:49 I saved you some fish!

11:51 What the hell was that you just dumped on my plate, asshole?

11:57 You trying to start a fight?

11:59 Fuck you...

12:01 What the hell did you dump on my plate?

12:08 All I did was give you some fish!

12:10 Oh yeah, asshole?

12:10 If you don't want it, forget it.

12:13 Fuck, I'm trying to be nice here, but I'm losing my patience.

12:20 You're always like this when you're drunk.

12:23 You don't know your ass from a hole in the ground!

12:27 I'll throw you in there, I swear!

12:30 I'm not going to bother talking to you.

12:32 Suit yourself...

12:32 don't fucking talk to me.

12:35 Like I said, I'm not talking to you.

12:36 I don't want to have to hurt you.

12:43 You scared to fight me, little guy?

12:53 Didn't you say you'd lend Lai Yi money, then change your mind?

12:59 No wonder he's mad.

13:03 Come on Lai Yi, sit down and play.

13:05 I'm not playing with that cheat!

13:09 Then why don't you get the hell out?

13:13 Fuck, as if I would lend you money, anyway!

13:17 See?

13:17 You're a liar and a cheat.

13:19 To hell with you...

13:20 You can't afford to play, just admit it!

13:23 Who says I can't afford to play?

13:25 Who says?

13:26 You don’t want to play, fine.

13:28 You're too fucking busy, whatever...

13:30 I'm not too busy..

13:34 I wouldn't lend you money anyway.

13:36 To hell with you, you lying cheat...

13:38 What's your fucking problem, anyway?

13:41 Is that any way to talk to people?

13:43 You're 40, you should know better...

13:46 Get out of here, get back to work!

13:48 You son of a bitch...

13:51 Lai Yi, go downstairs!

13:52 Who the hell does he think he is, talking to me like that?

13:59 Stop this and go downstairs.

14:00 What the hell kind of...

14:02 Go downstairs!

14:03 Swearing at people like that, what the...

14:05 Downstairs!

14:06 Forty years old, he should know better.

14:08 Lai Yi You hear the way he was talking to me?

14:11 Lai Yi, he was just joking...

14:13 Who talks that way, at 40 years old?

14:20 Lai Yi, get out!

14:21 You're drunk again.

14:21 Did you hear the way he was talking?

14:23 Saying "fuck" to people in the workplace...

14:24 You're drunk.

14:26 Get out of my way!

14:28 I’m going to kill you, you shit!

14:30 Say that again, and I'll kill you...

14:31 I'd like to see you try!

14:33 I’m not scared of you...

14:36 Fang, what's going on here?

14:39 He’s just drunk again.

14:43 I'll kill you, you shit!

14:44 You think you're so tough?

14:46 Fuck you...

14:47 You bastard...

14:52 Come over here!

14:52 Fang...stop it!

14:53 Fang!

15:06 Everyone get out of my way!

15:07 Fang...!

15:07 Think you're tough, you son of a bitch?

15:10 I'll kill you, I swear...

15:34 I was just drunk, I didn’t mean it.

15:36 This was all my fault...

15:37 I shouldn't drink like that.

15:54 It was just the drink talking...

16:13 Fuck, if Lai Yi didn’t want to play, that's all he had to say.

16:15 Why go and pick a fight about it?

16:17 Why did you even ask me?

16:21 Smelting factory, copper smelting plant,

16:23 Blast furnace workers Come on, put the hat on for me!

16:54 Oh darling, you know you want...

17:00 I'm going upstairs.

17:01 There's nothing to do here.

17:12 I'm going to try to stop up this leak.

17:13 Wait a minute....

17:13 The leak’s too big.

17:14 Fill this up with water, will you?

17:19 Smelting factory, copper smelting plant Fill this up with water, will you?

19:09 Did you make money on your stocks?

19:11 Yeah.

19:16 Copper-plating workers break room Radio broadcast:

19:24 "More and more high-tech companies are entering the market,

19:26 which is one reason we're so optimistic about this new stock offering...

19:33 Internet and high-tech companies are expected to continue..." Smelting factory,

20:32 copper-plating plant Be careful, it's dripping there.

23:13 Most stocks are 70 to 80 yuan per share.

23:16 That's the usual price.

23:17 The most expensive ones are 90, I hear we’re not getting wages next month.

23:39 Everyone’s saying so.

23:42 The bosses and cadres have it easy.

23:44 They don't do overtime.

23:45 I do.

23:46 We could take turns working.

23:49 When I work, you take the day off, and vice versa.

23:53 Or I could just take sick leave.

23:58 Sick leave?

23:59 You get 5 days off as it is.

24:01 That's 1 night shift and 2 swing shifts.

24:06 I was going to take two days sick leave but my mom said it would be bad luck.

24:09 She said, "Who ever heard of taking sick leave at New Year?" Bribe

24:11 someone with a carton of cigarettes and I bet they'll give you sick leave.

24:14 Or find another hospital.

24:16 Fuck, for a carton they'd probably write you a note for a month's sick leave!

24:19 More like a week..

24:21 I'll get a note from my hometown!

24:23 Get a doctor or a hospital there to write one.

24:28 It's easy to get a week.

24:29 The second week is harder.

24:31 Who says?

24:34 The most you'll get is a week.

24:36 Don't you need a doctor's stamp, too?

24:41 I can find someone to give me one.

24:43 I got a week that one time, didn't 1?

24:47 Can't get more than that.

24:48 Usually it's 3 days.

24:49 And you'll have to be careful the next time.

24:51 I'm going to ask for a full month.

24:54 I'll ask my dad to help me get a doctor's stamp.

24:56 He's a cadre, so he knows people.

25:00 He's a cadre, so he knows people.

25:02 She works at a hospital.

25:06 I just walk in, tell the doc I need some time off, and ask him for a note!

25:11 "How long you want?" he'll say.

25:12 "A year, or two?" "Oh, I don't need that long, doc.

25:14 Four or five months would be fine." He'll say, "Okay,

25:18 here's your note." I'll get a note from the chief doctor,

25:26 with one of those chief doctor stamps.

25:29 You know, the round ones.

25:33 I'll walk right into Shenyang Military Hospital and ask for Chief Doctor Zhang.

25:37 He'll give me an official stamp and say: "Here's your note, son.

25:44 It says you've got testicular cancer..." Miss Li,

26:28 could you take a look at this and tell me if it's okay?

27:25 Smelting factory, copper-plating workers' break

27:27 room- Did the temperature come down?

27:31 Yeah.

27:32 Did you open the valve?

27:34 As far as it would go.

27:36 What's the air pressure?

27:37 Between 0.4 and 0.6.

27:39 and 0.6 is normal.

27:51 Did you hear about the valve factory?

27:57 They just signed a contract with Three Gorges Dam.

28:02 Three Gorges...that's a big contract.

28:03 Bastards, at least their jobs are secure.

28:15 Three Gorges is a huge project...

28:19 Will the factory give us New Year's gifts again?

28:21 I don't know.

28:22 I bet it'll be canned goods.

28:23 They should give us rice and flour, at least...

28:28 Did you hear?

28:29 His son just joined the army.

28:31 He'll be a bigwig when he gets out, ha...

28:36 Not that it'll help him much when he gets out and starts looking for work.

29:01 They posted him to the military police.

29:05 That was fast.

29:07 It's only a few months of training.

29:11 It's a bad posting.

29:11 Nobody wants it.

29:11 You have to give people a lot of flak.

29:13 And when you get out, everyone hates you.

29:18 Or comes to beat you up!

29:27 Military police is the worst posting you can get.

29:32 It's a tough job...

29:33 Everyone hates the military police.

29:40 Did you check the high-pressure valve?

29:44 I checked.

29:45 It's at 75 degrees.

29:47 Open it a little more.

29:49 Okay.

29:53 Can't trust that guy to do his job right.

29:56 If it's not one problem, it's another...

30:33 Bring it down!

30:42 Throw that over here...

36:43 Blackboard reads: Five-day Schedule Copper plating workers' break room How

36:56 would you feel if I was always stealing your things?

37:01 Go ahead...

37:03 It wasn't us...was it, guys?

37:05 We didn't take anything.

37:09 Well, when your own things start going missing, don't blame me.

37:12 You know it only takes three steps to steal a phone from a locker?

37:16 Three steps?

37:17 What three steps?

37:22 One: Open the locker and take the phone.

37:23 Two: Run for the door.

37:25 Three: Call some whores!

37:26 You want to know who took your phone?

37:28 Just call him up and ask!

38:03 Cut!

38:04 That's a take!

38:06 Let's hit the showers.

40:36 Copper plating workers' shower room Just a second.

41:14 Let me arrange this straw.

41:32 There you go.

41:36 Block the exhaust with this straw.

41:44 Will the draft make a difference?

41:45 Nah, it's fine.

41:53 What are you doing?

41:53 Let's finish this up before it gets dark.

42:40 Foreman Dexing Zhou When you go into the smelting plant,

42:48 you should always wear a face mask.

42:50 Never go in there without one.

42:51 The fumes can irritate your nose and throat.

42:54 Copper smelting fumes are poisonous.

42:59 Lead emissions here are high, too.

43:01 Hundreds of times the national standard.

43:04 At least in the lead-smelting factories you know what you're getting into.

43:08 Not like this factory...

43:09 Emissions here are way too high.

43:12 The factory never says so, but everyone knows it.

43:19 We do advanced processing here, so they really should tell workers

43:24 to wear masks to avoid inhaling the particles.

43:28 But they don't say that anymore.

43:32 Being a smelter is a dangerous job.

43:32 You have to look out for yourself.

43:33 Especially temporary workers— half the workers here are temps.

43:41 Most regular workers have left.

43:45 They weren't getting paid anyway.

43:48 Some went into business or found other jobs.

43:52 The ones who couldn't are still here, just muddling along...

43:59 guys like us who didn't have enough money to go into business for ourselves.

45:03 There's your salary.

45:05 I'll give you Zhao Bo's money too, and you can pass it on to him.

45:10 Are new bills okay?

45:13 Nobody wants new bills these days.

45:16 I just want to see what they look like...

45:56 If you show up for work, they give you 200 a month.

45:59 If not, you still get 200, right?

46:01 Right.

46:03 So why bother at all?

46:22 By the way, the night shift guys forgot to change the filter.

46:28 Then change it yourself.

46:42 You didn't change the filter yet?

46:44 Which filter?

46:45 I changed it.

46:46 Are you sure?

46:53 You've got to change it every day.

46:56 All right, all right...

46:58 Those slackers on the night shift sure won't remember to change it.

47:02 Everybody's always slacking here.

47:04 It's like sabotaging the Party.

47:06 Nobody else cares if the filter gets changed.

47:08 Why should you?

47:08 What kind of talk is that?

47:10 I ought to fine you I'm not even getting wages!

47:16 I'll fine you the minute you get paid.

47:18 You can talk about fining me when they pay my back wages.

47:22 I will fine you, I swear.

47:29 Pay me the wages you owe me from last year, and I'll treat you to dinner.

47:32 Then you can fine me all you want!

47:35 Put in a request and I'll send you home right now.

47:38 I can't do that.

47:39 I'd lose my pension.

47:42 That's 30 years down the drain...

47:45 You should take what you can get.

47:53 If you get laid off this year, you won't even have last year's salary.

47:58 Thirty years...what a waste.

48:01 It's not so bad.

48:02 Just one bad year, out of thirty.

48:05 Thirty years.

48:06 What a joke!

48:07 They said we had a job for life.

48:10 Pensions, health care, a safety net.

48:20 Doesn't seem likely now.

48:21 They don't care if you get sick, much less if you die...

48:23 and forget about a pension!

48:27 Next thing you know, the CCP will start calling itself the Republican Party!

48:36 After 30 years, they ought to at least send you home with a pension.

48:40 Now they just send you home.

48:46 You have to be patient...

48:48 Why?

48:49 So I can wait for the factory to go bankrupt?

48:53 Could that happen?

48:54 Sure it could.

48:58 If the factory goes bankrupt, that's it.

49:00 We're all out of a job.

49:04 Things aren't that bad, are they?

49:05 They're pretty bad.

49:07 I'm sure that after New Year, you'll be back to work again.

49:10 Back to work?

49:11 What work?

49:12 There'll be work.

49:13 They're not going to let you stay idle.

49:18 One minute they say everything is fine, and the next you're out of a job!

49:23 Who knows what's really going on...

49:57 Shenyang Smelting Factory Smelting factory,

50:17 Lead smelting plant I'm going to take a look at the furnace.

51:36 Smelting Factory, Lead smelting furnace Quick,

52:19 get that on camera, running around, bare-assed...

52:31 Lead smelting maintenance workers' break room You call that chess?

52:44 Why would you move the rook there?

52:47 Shit, you're right.

52:50 What were you thinking?

53:03 Xiao Yang, that's the worst chess I've ever seen in my life!

53:09 You lost the game right there.

53:16 Damn...

53:25 Does this look like a "first rank" state-owned enterprise to you?

53:28 Sure, that's what they call us.

53:30 But take a look around this place!

53:35 Have you ever seen a sorrier bunch?

53:38 We're full of lead poisoning, all of us.

53:41 Nobody should spend too much time in a factory like this.

53:44 Every year, we have to spend two months in hospital

53:48 to have the lead taken out of our blood.

53:50 Anyone working here for long will find that his kids have health problems, too.

53:55 That's one hundred percent certain.

53:56 The kids are all born with too much lead in their blood.

54:00 It's even more dangerous for women.

54:01 Women shouldn't be working with lead in the first place.

54:04 It's too toxic.

54:13 This place used to have 4 shifts, running around the clock.

54:16 That was before the layoffs started.

54:18 If you get laid off, you know, you take a cut in salary.

54:22 200 month, that's all you get.

54:24 That's all I know.

54:28 We're the only ones left here, but we could get laid off any day.

54:40 One word from the boss, and the twenty of us are out of a job.

54:44 Most of us here are in our thirties or forties, married with kids.

54:49 We've got mouths to feed.

54:50 How are we supposed to feed our families if we can't work?

54:53 We're all hardworking guys.

54:54 We want the factory do well.

54:58 But there are too many people competing for jobs these days.

55:01 The layoffs have made things worse.

55:05 Everyone here has at least one family member who's out of work.

55:12 Notice all the workers here are men.

55:15 Hardly any women, right?

55:16 The factory laid them off and replaced them with cheaper temporary workers.

55:19 His wife got laid off.

55:20 So did mine.

55:21 We used to work together in this very same plant.

55:24 That was two or three years ago.

55:28 But who can you complain to?

55:32 After my wife got laid off, she started selling vegetables.

55:36 She's out there every day with her vegetable cart..

55:39 I get up early and go to the market to help her buy produce.

55:42 It gets light at three in the morning, so I've got to be up and out by four.

55:51 It's cheaper to buy vegetables at the market north of town.

55:58 I've been going there for years, buying three,

56:03 four, five hundred pounds of vegetables each time.

56:05 They're so heavy you can hardly push them,

56:08 and it takes an hour to walk back home.

56:11 They're so heavy, you've just got to take it slow, keep trudging along...

56:15 It's three or four miles to market.

56:20 Sometimes we don't sell them all.

56:22 Then we have to store them at my father-in-law's place.

56:27 He has a warehouse.

56:31 They use it to store electrical parts.

56:38 We stow the cart and the vegetables inside,

56:39 then get up early the next day to start again.

56:41 I only get four or five hours of sleep a night

56:45 and then I have to work all day at the factory.

56:47 Sometimes I can catch a nap during lunch.

56:49 We earn 10, maybe 20 yuan a day.

56:53 Some days we don't make anything.

56:56 Then it feels like a waste of time.

57:04 It's not easy work lifting produce...

57:06 The bags weigh 70 to 100 pounds each.

57:13 These days, most of the factory workers have one-child families.

57:17 You've got to make your kids study hard so they don't end up like us.

57:23 We didn't get much schooling in our day.

57:27 Now it's harder to find work.

57:32 You've got to do well in school and get

57:35 a good education if you want to find a decent job.

57:41 With only a junior high school education you'll never find work.

57:47 These days, even the army requires a high school diploma.

57:51 Most of us at the factory only have junior high school educations.

57:53 Not many of us made it to high school.

58:03 I'm trying to prepare for the worst, because I could get laid off any day now.

58:07 You see the way things are here...

58:13 A lot of workers have left already.

58:16 The ones who have left are a step ahead of the rest

58:20 of us That's the way you have to look at it.

58:23 Take a look around this place and you'll see what I mean.

58:26 All the empty rooms, all the padlocked doors...

58:31 You win every time.

58:39 Nobody can beat you.

59:11 Du Bin, I know you never wanted to see my face again, but today's your last day.

59:14 I wanted to say goodbye.

59:16 I know what you said but...

59:20 I had to say goodbye.

59:27 You've got some nerve...

59:49 Look, here's a present for you!

59:55 What is that?

59:55 It looks like some lint you pulled out of your pocket...

1:00:00 Try to leave with some dignity, will you?

1:00:02 Oh, you know you're going to miss me!

1:00:05 Go home, already...

1:00:07 You'll miss me, just wait and see!

1:00:09 Can't you at least try to leave a good impression?

1:00:12 I'm just saying you'll miss me when I'm gone...

1:00:17 Your turn.

1:00:18 What are you waiting for?

1:00:31 Stop talking, and I'll make my move!

1:00:48 Don't listen to Liu.

1:00:49 He doesn't know a thing about chess.

1:01:00 This was Du Bin's last day at the factory.

1:01:03 He was laid off from his job as a maintenance worker

1:01:05 in the lead smelting plant after an altercation with his supervisor.

1:01:50 Tie Xi industrial district freight railway Shenyang Sheet Metal Factory, 1999.

1:05:45 The factory, which once employed 6000 workers,

1:05:47 was built in 1943 to produce bayonets

1:05:50 for the Japanese Imperial Army and nails for civilian use.

1:05:56 From the early 1950's to the late 1970's,

1:05:59 the factory was expanded to its present size.

1:06:02 Though it posted a record performance in 1993,

1:06:06 by the second half of 1995 the factory was losing money.

1:06:09 On September 17, 1997, the Shenyang Sheet Metal Factory shut down.

1:07:48 Individual safety benefits everyone Careful craftsmanship means quality

1:07:51 products January 2000 Shenyang Electrical Cable Factory The factory,

1:08:28 built in 1934, once employed 12,000 workers.

1:08:31 Most of the factory plants are now idle,

1:08:34 and only a small number of workers remain.

1:08:43 Shenyang Electrical Cable Factory Production Records

1:08:46 Department Where'd you perm your hair?

1:09:17 How much was it?

1:09:18 Ten yuan.

1:09:19 Twelve, if you want it styled.

1:09:34 Can you get me some water?

1:09:39 What's that?

1:09:39 I said I'm thirsty.

1:09:41 Where's your cup?

1:09:52 Our production figures used to average 2 million yuan per month.

1:09:56 Sometimes 3 or 4 million.

1:10:01 This month has been the worst.

1:10:02 Production was only 40,000 yuan.

1:10:04 Production figures for the first half of this year were about 500,000 yuan.

1:10:08 This is the report for this month.

1:10:22 I'll put it on the back of my bike.

1:10:28 I lost some fish once, that way.

1:10:33 It fell right off the back of the bike...

1:10:34 I didn't even notice until I got home.

1:10:41 You have to be careful these days.

1:10:42 If you put anything on your bike, people will steal it.

1:10:45 That's true!

1:10:56 Who's in charge here?

1:10:57 We're collecting the heating bill.

1:11:01 The heating bill...

1:11:04 You need the factory manager.

1:11:07 He's in a meeting right now with the other supervisors.

1:11:11 Is it the bill for the factory?

1:11:13 Whose is it?

1:11:27 It's for workers' housing.

1:11:30 Oh, you need the manager, then.

1:11:32 We can't help you.

1:11:33 You're from building affairs, right?

1:11:37 Where are they meeting?

1:11:38 Over there.

1:11:43 Shenyang Electrical Cable Factory Accounting Department That comes to 62.7 yuan.

1:11:51 But I can't pay you unless you give me change.

1:11:53 How much?

1:11:55 -62.7 yuan, so you need to give me 31.4 in change...

1:12:00 Wait...

1:12:05 that should be 37.3.

1:12:08 How much are you giving me, again?

1:12:11 I'm giving you a hundred, So you give me 37.3 yuan.

1:12:13 Wait, how much am I getting?

1:12:15 62.7 yuan.

1:12:15 But you've got change right there!

1:12:17 I can't give all that to you.

1:12:19 I still need that!

1:12:21 I can't give it all to you, can 1?

1:12:23 I need it for other people!

1:12:30 No, not 32.7...

1:12:33 37.3.

1:12:44 What month is this for?

1:12:46 November.

1:12:48 I already paid you for October, remember?

1:12:51 That was thirty-what?

1:12:54 -37.3 yuan.

1:13:04 I owe you two cents.

1:13:05 No matter.

1:13:06 Keep it.

1:13:07 I don't have change, anyway.

1:13:09 Wait a minute, here's change.

1:13:12 Thanks.

1:13:12 Zheng, don't you owe me from last month?

1:13:15 No, I already paid you.

1:13:17 Oh.

1:13:17 Then who still owes me?

1:13:21 By the way, the computers are down because there's no one here to work them.

1:13:27 I have to calculate the pensions by hand so it's going to take a while.

1:13:32 You'll just have to wait.

1:13:35 Do we get our food subsidy this month?

1:13:37 What do you think?

1:13:39 The factory isn't even paying salaries!

1:13:42 How can you expect a food subsidy?

1:14:11 It's okay if you don't like it.

1:14:13 Tell me the truth.

1:14:15 If you think it's too small, I'll give it to her instead.

1:14:21 No, no, it's fine.

1:14:29 It's just a little small, that's all.

1:14:31 I think it'll stretch with wearing.

1:14:33 Isn't that right, Danzi?

1:14:38 Let me look in the mirror.

1:14:39 Looks fine to me!

1:14:40 Really, if you're afraid it's too small, you can give it to Miss Fu.

1:14:44 That receipt you gave us last time isn't even official.

1:14:46 We can't use it!

1:14:49 It's just that we're a little short-staffed right now.

1:14:52 We didn't do it on purpose.

1:14:56 Do you still have the receipt?

1:15:03 I gave it to them already.

1:15:11 Have you eaten yet?

1:15:13 No, not yet.

1:15:14 None of us have eaten yet.

1:15:24 If you don't like the sweater, give it to her.

1:15:27 You're not trying to take away my sweater, are you?

1:15:29 Not at all.

1:15:30 But if you don't like it, I'll make you an even better one!

1:15:32 Well, in that case, maybe you could knit me a slightly bigger one.

1:15:34 I'll give it to you as soon as I'm done.

1:15:36 Let's give this one to Miss Fu instead.

1:16:18 Is the color all right?

1:16:19 Oh, it's very nice.

1:16:21 They say it's a very flattering color for women over forty...

1:16:38 Are you sure it's all right?

1:16:39 We should get going.

1:16:40 Are we coming back after we eat?

1:16:43 Sure, we'll come back here.

1:16:58 Finish that, and we'll go together.

1:17:01 After all, it's New Year.

1:17:02 We should celebrate.

1:17:04 Celebrate the new millennium.

1:17:10 Millennium years are bad luck.

1:17:13 That's right, bad luck!

1:17:14 Well, everyone else is celebrating.

1:17:16 We should too.

1:17:18 Go find Miss Xiang.

1:17:53 Tell them to hurry up so we can leave.

1:18:02 That's a change.

1:18:03 The boss is trying to get us to leave work early!

1:18:05 Do you want some water?

1:18:40 Xiao Xiang?

1:18:41 Where are you?

1:19:11 Where are the others?

1:19:20 As factory manager, I just want to say that I

1:19:22 look forward to working together again in the coming year.

1:19:26 I promise to do my best to help make this the best year ever...

1:19:30 Cheers!

1:19:34 Good speech!

1:19:37 Here's to a joyful and prosperous New Year!

1:19:39 May it bring you happiness and success!

1:19:43 Thank you.

1:19:48 Well said!

1:19:49 Now drink up!

1:19:51 You're like the girl in that song...

1:19:56 "A pretty girl in my boat, a gently rocking boat..." Is it my turn?

1:19:59 I'd just like to say that I hope we can always be together!

1:20:05 Could you stand us?

1:20:06 Of course I could!

1:20:08 I just hope that none of you ever leaves me That's all I wanted to say.

1:20:19 Were you, uh...thinking of anyone in particular?

1:20:21 You, of course!

1:20:25 I'd like to wish everyone a happy millennium.

1:20:28 You mean millennium bug!

1:20:29 Right, happy millennium bug!

1:20:44 And I hope that in the coming year,

1:20:46 everyone will have enough work enough food to put on the table,

1:20:50 and more good times like these.

1:20:53 So let's work hard to make it happen!

1:20:57 Lastly, I just want to say how much I miss Danzi What can I say?

1:21:07 You've said it all!

1:21:08 You're the secretary!

1:21:09 You have to say something.

1:21:11 The secretary should speak last, do the summing up.

1:21:14 The last speech is always hardest.

1:21:17 You can't drink until you make a speech!

1:21:22 Today we've wine, today we'll toast...

1:21:26 Though we may not have wine tomorrow...

1:21:29 Today we'll drink like fools!

1:21:32 The song, a distant melody I'll meet you in my dreams

1:21:41 Mourn the days gone past My love for you is

1:21:51 evermore The wind she sweeps away today And leaves me

1:21:59 but this poetry Your shadow haunts each line And with these words,

1:22:11 my love I bless you on your way...

1:22:33 The general manager's speech was the same as last year.

1:22:38 He said that if we have another bad year,

1:22:43 we'll have to shut down and lay everyone off.

1:22:47 He said it's like raising kids- sometimes you have to let them go,

1:22:53 let them make their own way.

1:22:56 That's what he said- "I can't take care

1:22:59 of you anymore." "I did the best I could,

1:23:03 but now you have to fend for yourselves!" We're on our own.

1:23:08 That goes for factory departments, too.

1:23:09 They're all going to be privatized, spun off, or hired out.

1:23:11 He said the factory doesn't have the time

1:23:15 or the money to look after us any more.

1:23:19 Every day people are hounding the general manager for money.

1:23:23 When one of the departments couldn't pay pensions,

1:23:26 he had to borrow 40,000 from another one.

1:23:32 Otherwise those pensions wouldn't have been paid.

1:23:34 As it is, he's got retired workers coming into his office every day,

1:23:39 cursing and telling him that if he can't do his job, he should get the hell out.

1:23:47 They say that right to his face!

1:23:51 Every day it's something.

1:23:54 Now it's the bondholders, asking for their money back.

1:23:59 Some of them bring their entire families.

1:24:02 I'm so busy dealing with bondholders I don't have time for anything else.

1:24:06 And what am I supposed to tell them?

1:24:07 That we can't afford to pay them?

1:24:09 I can't cope with another year like this.

1:24:12 Nobody could.

1:24:16 Every day it's some new mess, right?

1:24:18 I'm telling you, this is no way to live.

1:24:20 Maybe the factory should privatize.

1:24:24 Let them fend for themselves.

1:24:26 I can't deal with it anymore.

1:24:28 We've got to cut back, privatize, become financially independent.

1:24:35 Some of the departments already have.

1:24:38 That's the plan right now, anyway- to privatize everything we can.

1:24:42 Privatize the departments and sell shares.

1:24:46 Twenty thousand from one investor, eighty thousand from another.

1:24:53 The state will probably still hold the largest block.

1:24:55 The general manager said that's what we're going to try next year.

1:24:58 But will it work?

1:25:01 Maybe not.

1:25:03 All we can do is try it and see.

1:25:04 It's like Deng Xiaoping said:

1:25:05 "Groping for stones to cross the river." If it works, great.

1:25:09 If not, we try something else.

1:25:11 Next year is going to be even more difficult than this one...

1:25:22 Let me tell the world China's fate is hers to make Let me tell the future

1:25:34 China's relay has begun Great leaders past and future

1:25:42 Lead us to a grand new age Oh!

1:25:47 Guide us forward on our way Onward to a grand new age Sing The East is Red!

1:25:58 Arise!

1:25:59 The future is in our hands...!

1:26:04 Let us tell a tale of spring Reform and opening,

1:26:11 Great prosperity Guide us forward on our way Lead us to a grand

1:26:20 new age Hold the banner high Here

1:26:25 begins the future Shenyang Smelting Factory March,

1:27:55 2000 Lead smelting plant Leave that.

1:28:32 We'll get someone else to do it later.

1:28:39 Foreman Lead smelting furnace workers' break room Another game?

1:32:28 Lead smelting plant, routine annual maintenance and repairs.

1:32:33 Repairs and maintenance being carried out

1:32:36 by temporary workers hired by the factory.

1:32:39 During the repairs, all regular production workers are idled.

1:33:18 I'm telling you, it won't go.

1:33:23 Ready!

1:33:26 You have to close that gate.

1:33:28 It doesn't matter if it's open.

1:33:36 Which gate do we close?

1:33:39 Lead plating plant, annual maintenance and repairs.

1:33:47 It won't work unless all the gates are closed.

1:33:50 Ready!

1:33:51 Let's go!

1:33:57 Keep going...

1:34:06 Keep going...

1:34:16 You're almost there.

1:34:26 Okay, stop!

1:34:35 I don't have a wrench.

1:34:38 Can't adjust it without a wrench.

1:35:57 Okay, just leave it.

1:35:59 Just repair the hole.

1:36:36 Weld it, then.

1:36:39 Are we going to weld it today?

1:36:41 No, just do the bolts.

1:36:43 They're still loose.

1:36:47 We can't finish welding today, anyway.

1:36:50 Should we move this back?

1:36:53 No, just finish what you're doing, then come back down.

1:36:56 We're already finished.

1:36:57 That's it for today, then.

1:37:00 We'll finish the rest tomorrow.

1:37:06 Are the bolts in straight?

1:37:09 Are they straight?

1:37:10 Yeah.

1:37:11 We'll start on that area tomorrow.

1:37:15 Let's move.

1:38:13 Pass your tools down to him.

1:38:20 Careful, hold onto the rail.

1:38:27 Just toss those tools down there...

1:39:00 Fuck you!

1:39:02 I'll raise two cents.

1:39:04 That's all?

1:39:06 I've got a deuce.

1:39:07 Deuces won't help you!

1:39:08 He's holding higher cards.

1:39:11 Raise four cents and call.

1:39:16 I've got the higher card.

1:39:17 That's all?

1:39:18 Four cents!

1:39:18 No respect, I tell you...

1:39:22 What were you holding?

1:39:23 I'm not telling.

1:39:25 Mine's higher.

1:39:27 I'm beat.

1:39:33 Damn, I got bad cards.

1:39:40 Draw your cards first, then you can raise.

1:39:47 What are you doing?

1:39:48 You ought to...

1:39:49 A little modesty please?

1:39:52 It's hard to be modest when I'm winning!

1:40:02 No respect...

1:40:06 A king for me, deuce for you.

1:40:10 Can't get any respect around here...

1:40:39 Go ahead and draw.

1:40:40 Take the money, it's yours.

1:40:52 Who are you filming?

1:40:55 He's the big boss, you know.

1:40:57 Not the big boss...

1:41:00 Assistant not-so-big boss.

1:41:05 Hey, hey...what are you doing?

1:41:10 Fuck, he had a ten...

1:41:13 No respect...

1:41:20 No respect at all...

1:41:21 He doesn't have a seven.

1:41:22 Come on, I need a seven!

1:41:29 Don't hold back...

1:41:33 You see the way it is around here during the annual repairs.

1:41:41 All we do is mess around all day...

1:42:13 Can you lend me some change?

1:42:15 I'm not lending small change.

1:42:19 How about a hundred, then?

1:42:20 A hundred?

1:42:20 That isn't even enough for a decent hooker!

1:42:25 Here's your hundred.

1:42:30 All right!

1:42:31 Let's play...

1:43:24 Be careful not to step on it.

1:43:27 Keep laying those bricks...

1:43:51 Hey, the boss is here No, I only came because it's payday.

1:44:09 Figured today there'd at least be a good game of mahjong on.

1:44:13 Figured today there'd at least be a good game of mahjong on.

1:45:12 Hey Mao, that wall seems to be bulging a bit.

1:45:26 Take out two of those bricks.

1:45:28 No, it's fine...

1:46:11 Where have you been?

1:46:12 We've been waiting!

1:46:13 Who's waiting?

1:46:15 Everyone.

1:46:18 Well, they said we were getting paid today,

1:46:20 but we're not Think you're a match for me?

1:46:44 Place your bets...

1:46:52 Are you playing?

1:46:53 No.

1:46:59 At least stay and eat with us.

1:47:01 You don't even have enough for yourselves.

1:47:03 Have a bite, at least.

1:47:04 There's hardly enough for a bite.

1:47:10 Even so, share and share alike.

1:47:55 Bring anything good to eat?

1:47:57 Eggs.

1:48:00 Too much cholesterol in eggs.

1:48:25 Damn, it's been a long first day!

1:48:31 You call this a day?

1:48:32 It's not even noon yet!

1:48:35 We used to work all day, every day, without a break.

1:48:39 Now we don't even have spare parts to fix the equipment,

1:48:43 so there's less work to do.

1:48:47 I make 440 yuan a month now.

1:48:51 That's 300 less than I used to make.

1:48:54 We can't afford replacement parts.

1:48:57 Even if we took the equipment apart, we couldn't put it back together.

1:49:01 That's why we don't bother.

1:49:03 Anyway, my shift is over.

1:49:06 Okay, let's move it!

1:49:11 Stop!

1:49:16 If you use that stick for leverage,

1:49:19 we can get it up on the rollers then move it forward.

1:49:23 No, not like that...

1:49:28 All right, let's move it!

1:49:32 Push it forward, that's it...

1:49:34 Okay, stop!

1:49:42 We need to lift it up again.

1:49:47 I'll just pry up the front end.

1:49:52 Ready?

1:49:52 Here we go...

1:49:54 Okay, stop right there.

1:50:08 We'll roll it forward, then turn left.

1:50:15 All right, that's good enough.

1:50:19 Fuck, I need a break.

1:50:20 Yeah, let's take a break.

1:50:25 Back to the break room!

1:50:26 -Lets go...

1:50:30 It's hot in here.

1:50:34 I'm covered in sweat.

1:52:49 So the deal is, you two get thirty yuan each, I get forty.

1:52:54 I thought it would be 250 altogether, but it's only 100.

1:52:58 We got cheated.

1:52:59 So it's 30 for each of you, 40 for me.

1:53:24 I wouldn't do this again for 100!

1:53:54 There are seventy bags left.

1:54:08 I'm fucking exhausted!

1:54:11 This is damn hard work.

1:54:14 What did you expect?

1:54:27 My fingernails are killing me!

1:54:30 I couldn't lift another bag.

1:55:11 Fuck, my fingernails are killing me!

1:55:15 That's funny, mine feel just fine.

1:55:29 And those bills he gave me- I think they're fakes.

1:55:33 He wouldn't dare.

1:55:35 It's true, a lot of the new bills are fakes.

1:55:37 I should check the serial numbers.

1:55:43 There are too many fakes floating around these days...

1:56:17 This is damn tough work!

1:56:19 What did you expect?

1:56:20 Fun and games?

1:56:38 Hey, is Wang Ran still here?

1:56:40 He left.

1:56:40 He went home?

1:56:42 Yeah.

1:56:44 Oh.

1:56:45 His wife just called for him.

1:56:47 Those bags are heavier than they look.

1:56:48 You can sprain your back lifting them.

1:56:49 Even the ones that look light, aren't...

1:56:52 It's tough work.

1:56:59 It's true, they're heavy.

1:57:00 Can't even fucking lift them.

1:57:02 They must weigh 200 pounds!

1:57:06 At least.

1:57:09 I couldn't lift a hundred.

1:57:11 2007?

1:57:11 They felt heavier than that!

1:57:13 Definitely.

1:57:14 What are you looking for?

1:57:15 A bucket to wash my clothes.

1:57:17 Why wash them now?

1:57:19 Can't you wait until Monday?

1:57:21 You're tired enough as it is.

1:57:25 But what if I'm working Monday?

1:57:26 Hell, it's not like you've got a contract!

1:57:31 Yeah, you do this work too long, it'll kill you...

1:57:34 You have to admit it's good work, though.

1:57:36 I'm telling you...

1:57:36 I'd quit my job in a minute if I could do this every day!

1:57:40 I'd be set for life.

1:57:45 It's decent money, you can't complain.

1:57:49 Fifty yuan for two hours is good money.

1:57:56 350 yuan for a week's work.

1:57:58 What's to complain about?

1:58:01 Listen to him talk!

1:58:02 And he's a cadre!

1:58:04 I still say 350 a week isn't enough!

1:58:09 It's a lot more than you usually make.

1:58:11 We're not talking pocket change here...

1:58:15 Last month, you guys made...

1:58:18 what?

1:58:18 200 yuan??

1:58:21 If only I were stronger, I'd be glad to keep doing this work.

1:58:26 It's better than most jobs out there.

1:58:31 Besides, you get used to it after a few days, right?

1:58:43 I was panting pretty hard by the end.

1:58:46 But other than that, I felt fine.

1:58:51 I used to do this goddamn work all the time and never felt tired...

1:58:59 I'm telling you, I don't mind this at all.

1:59:01 I'm not even that tired.

1:59:03 How long until quitting time?

1:59:06 About an hour.

1:59:11 Fifty yuan a day's not bad, but it's still not enough.

1:59:13 Next time I'll ask for more.

1:59:16 Hey, it's money in your pocket and only takes a few hours a day.

1:59:20 So why not take the work?

1:59:24 Maybe if we worked in pairs...

1:59:26 No, that wouldn't be fair.

1:59:28 You'd end up doing most of the work.

1:59:35 But you know you need the money.

1:59:38 Fuck, I used to do this kind of work when I was younger.

1:59:44 Used to load trucks all day.

1:59:49 No big deal.

1:59:52 It might be easier to work in pairs.

1:59:57 That way, it's not so tiring.

1:59:59 Hell, at least you don't have to load them onto the trucks.

2:00:02 There's not a bastard alive who could manage that alone...

2:00:16 Zhuzi...

2:00:23 Zhuzi- Do you have any change?

2:00:28 Why?

2:00:29 We want to divide the money now, so we need to break this bill.

2:00:31 Can't it wait until Monday?

2:00:33 If you don't have change, just forget it.

2:00:37 We'd just feel more comfortable if we divided the cash now, that's all.

2:00:40 I'll take your hundred for this fifty but it won't be a very good deal for you!

2:00:48 In that case, never mind.

2:00:51 Besides, can't it wait until Monday?

2:00:52 Sure, I guess so.

2:00:54 Aren't you coming back on Monday?

2:00:55 There's another shipment.

2:00:57 I'll do it.

2:00:58 I'm just worried about him.

2:01:00 I'll do it, but not alone.

2:01:06 It's only a few hours, right?

2:01:09 And it's good work.

2:01:12 It's almost 4:30, isn't it?

2:01:14 Not even close.

2:01:19 Whose jacket?

2:01:20 I'll just throw it here.

2:01:21 Fuck, don't throw it there!

2:01:24 It'll get all dirty.

2:01:26 It's not dirty here.

2:01:32 You think it's any cleaner over there?!

2:01:34 At least it's cleaner than there.

2:01:39 Whose watch is this?

2:01:49 Now, don't go crying when I beat you...

2:01:51 We'll see who ends up crying.

2:01:58 You shouldn't have bothered showering.

2:02:02 You'll be sweating soon enough.

2:02:11 See, I'm already beating you.

2:02:20 Is that your move?

2:04:54 Get this place on film now, because it won't be around much longer...

2:06:38 Go, go...get away from there!

2:06:48 Watch that oxygen hose!

2:06:52 Move that hose!

2:07:19 We're going to have to seal that opening with clay.

2:07:23 If we don't seal it, there'll be trouble.

2:07:33 Okay.

2:08:01 Tell them to get down from there!

2:08:04 Goddamn supervisors— they're not even taking this seriously.

2:08:07 Nobody does his job around here.

2:08:12 The pressure seems high.

2:08:14 -It is high.

2:08:18 It's leaking all over the place down there.

2:08:25 Make sure the opening's sealed.

2:09:03 Stay back there...

2:09:04 This molten copper's volatile.

2:10:35 The factory finally got government approval to file for bankruptcy.

2:10:38 That's good news.

2:10:38 I hear we get 20,000 yuan each.

2:10:40 I'd settle for 10,000.

2:10:42 No point hanging around here, anyway.

2:10:45 We'll be lucky to get that much.

2:10:50 10,000 seems low compared with what Xu Guoging and the others got.

2:10:54 They got 17,000 yuan.

2:10:56 Who did?

2:10:57 Xu Guoging.

2:10:58 Who said that?

2:10:59 A guy who came to the factory yesterday.

2:11:02 Can't remember his name...

2:11:05 He cut a deal with someone, treated them to dinner and drinks.

2:11:10 He got 9,000 up front, and they're supposed to give him 8,000 later.

2:11:16 The factory said they'd pay him the rest in September.

2:11:20 The factory won't be here in September!

2:11:22 Well, he got it in writing!

2:11:25 That doesn't mean anything.

2:11:26 You could get it in writing from Zhu Rongji himself,

2:11:28 So is Xu technically laid off?

2:11:30 More like "bought off"— He got severance pay.

2:11:32 And the factory agreed to that?

2:11:33 Sure.

2:11:33 And he gets 240 a month for two years, from the local government committee.

2:11:39 240 a month for two years...

2:11:41 That's not bad.

2:11:48 This whole place is going under.

2:11:50 Lai Yi says there's work in handong, in the smelting plants there.

2:11:54 What does he know?

2:12:00 Did you see how scared that guy looked today?

2:12:04 Those were some strong winds.

2:12:05 I heard they even blew down one of the telephone poles.

2:12:08 Scared the hell out of me.

2:12:10 Did you see me take off running?

2:12:12 They blew off some tiles from furnace number 4.

2:12:16 Those were damn strong winds...

2:12:22 Is there any water?

2:12:24 No.

2:12:24 I'm going up.

2:12:31 I want to wash my face.

2:12:34 When the factory closes, we're out of luck.

2:12:37 Half of us probably won't find jobs.

2:12:41 Nothing to do all day, except maybe steal...

2:12:54 The copper smelting furnaces here are the oldest in all of China,

2:13:01 but they still work.

2:13:10 And you can feed them anything, not like those new high-tech furnaces.

2:13:22 You can feed these furnaces any old garbage as fuel.

2:13:25 The new ones require better raw materials.

2:13:31 Is the temperature down?

2:13:34 Not yet.

2:13:35 Well, there's nothing we can do about that.

2:13:39 Is that opening still sealed?

2:13:41 Yeah, it's fine.

2:13:42 How's the air pressure?

2:13:45 It's 0.12.

2:13:47 Good, that's normal.

2:13:54 If these factories were better managed, they wouldn't be losing money.

2:14:03 From start to finish, smelting is a profitable business.

2:14:12 3000 yuan pure profit, per ton.

2:14:18 One shift can produce 100 tons of copper.

2:14:23 Three shifts a day, that's 300 tons.

2:14:27 300 tons.

2:14:30 300 tons at 3000 yuan per ton...

2:14:33 that comes to 900,000 yuan.

2:14:42 900,000 yuan per day.

2:14:45 Figure twenty-five days per month of regular production and you get...

2:14:58 22,250,000 yuan a month.

2:15:01 Let's just say 22 million a month.

2:15:15 ...how much?

2:15:17 Over 200 million.

2:15:19 And that's pure profit.

2:15:22 Besides your raw materials and labor costs and fuel, you're talking pure profit.

2:15:35 Say I spend 5 yuan on raw materials and I sell my finished product for 30 yuan.

2:15:47 That's 25 yuan left.

2:15:53 If you subtract labor and fuel costs Let's say 15 yuan.

2:16:01 You're still left with 10 yuan.

2:16:19 That's why copper smelting is a profitable business.

2:16:24 You need raw ore, of course.

2:16:28 The price of the ore depends on the quality, right?

2:16:32 That's the real problem— poor quality.

2:16:35 The high level cadres only buy goddamn low-quality ores.

2:16:41 Shenyang's got copper mines everywhere.

2:16:45 But what they do, see, is mix copper dust with common riverbed clay.

2:16:49 That's where they get the The stuff's complete garbage...

2:16:53 Do a chemical analysis of it and I guarantee you'll find it's mostly clay.

2:16:57 Goddamn it...

2:17:01 If only they'd use decent quality ores we wouldn't be in this situation.

2:17:06 The materials we're using now are nothing more than rocks.

2:17:08 There's no gold in that stuff.

2:17:10 This factory is paying gold prices for something that's basically just dirt.

2:17:15 Is it any wonder we're losing money?

2:17:24 This is a problem for the government, a problem for the factory managers.

2:17:29 There's nothing we can do about it.

2:17:33 The buyers here cut deals with suppliers.

2:17:38 They bring in poor quality ores, and pocket the rest of the cash themselves.

2:17:48 Raw materials being fed into the copper

2:17:50 smelting blast furnace Hurry up and get inside.

2:18:31 -Got a cigarette?

2:18:32 -What?

2:18:36 Why should I give you a cigarette?

2:18:40 Come on, let's play.

2:18:56 Copper smelting blast furnace workers changing

2:18:59 shifts Workers cleaning up after the mishap

2:19:26 at the copper smelting blast furnace It's a nice-looking blade, isn't it?

2:21:48 Checkmate!

2:21:50 This factory is...

2:21:52 20 million in debt for electric bills alone.

2:22:01 Water bills are another 10 million.

2:22:09 That's 30 million, just for water and electric.

2:22:15 Bond debt owed to outside investors and employees is another 30 million.

2:22:23 If you add coal and gas, you have to figure we're at least 70 million in debt.

2:22:32 I hear they're not even going to pay back the bondholders.

2:22:39 But it gets worse...

2:22:41 there are workers' back salaries.

2:22:43 That's at least 2000 per worker.

2:22:51 It adds up.

2:22:53 I know...

2:22:57 Fuck, this factory is drowning in debt!

2:22:59 It's got to be at least 100 million...

2:23:01 And if you add other outside debt, it's almost too high to count.

2:23:07 There's more, too.

2:23:13 Right— we owe 7000 tons of copperplate

2:23:18 for contract work that hasn't been delivered.

2:23:22 And the factory already spent the money!

2:23:26 That's 7000 tons of copperplate we're going to have to pay back very soon.

2:23:35 All of the copper and gold around here is for contract work.

2:23:40 It doesn't belong to the factory.

2:23:42 It belongs to someone else.

2:23:43 All the factory earns are labor costs.

2:23:51 Damn it, I'm telling you...

2:23:53 this is the bosses' fault.

2:23:55 They've gotten rich running this factory.

2:23:59 What kind of society are we living in?

2:24:05 It's just like, you know...

2:24:07 what they say in biology.

2:24:09 It's a life or death struggle.

2:24:12 People, plants and animals...

2:24:14 We're all part of the same big food chain.

2:24:17 We depend on each other for life.

2:24:21 It's always the same struggle, whether it's people or animals.

2:24:30 What I'm talking about here is survival of the fittest.

2:24:39 The weak become extinct.

2:24:42 You can't get a piece of the pie, a piece of the market?

2:24:48 Well then, you die out.

2:24:49 That's just the way it is.

2:24:52 A lot of people are out there wondering: "What the hell?

2:24:53 I can barely afford to eat!" Doesn't take a scientist to understand why.

2:24:57 It's just the way things are today.

2:25:02 If everyone's in the same boat, struggling just to make a living...

2:25:05 well, it starts to get you down.

2:25:07 You start to lose hope and give up.

2:25:10 We're all people, right?

2:25:15 We all want the same things from life.

2:25:18 But if you look around and see that other people have things you don't...

2:25:22 well, it makes you start to wonder.

2:25:24 You're the same as everyone else, and yet you're falling behind.

2:25:31 You can't keep up with the crowd.

2:25:34 You see other people out there,

2:25:35 they've got their hookers and their dinners out and drinks.

2:25:37 They're making 500 a month, same as you.

2:25:39 They can afford food to eat.

2:25:40 They can afford to raise their kids.

2:25:42 While you're busting your ass and still barely managing to get by.

2:25:45 You start to wonder, "What's wrong with me?" How can anyone go on like that?

2:25:50 That's the way it is, all over.

2:25:52 More or less the same.

2:26:00 Give me two sheets of sandpaper...

2:26:06 That's the truth, but a lot of people out there don't want to hear it.

2:26:11 I know we're not what you'd call "educated",

2:26:15 but we read the papers, we watch the news.

2:26:18 We know what's going on out there.

2:26:20 We know how our lives compare...

2:26:25 Copper smelting workers' break room One month later

2:26:29 Did you hear they're planning to widen Second Street?

2:26:34 They're calling in the military police to keep an eye on things.

2:26:37 I thought it was First Street.

2:26:39 No, it's Second Street.

2:26:43 They're bringing in the MPs to keep watch during the demolition.

2:26:47 Otherwise, people will steal things.

2:26:52 It doesn't have anything to do with workers or protests at the factory.

2:26:59 I heard some of the workers are planning a protest after May 1st.

2:27:04 All the retirees know about it.

2:27:11 Yeah, Xiao Yuan told me.

2:27:14 He said the retired workers are going to hold

2:27:17 a protest to demand that the factory pay them their pensions.

2:27:23 I asked him where he heard it, and he said his dad told him.

2:27:29 I said that whoever told his dad must have been a spy or something.

2:27:33 They ought to arrest the guy.

2:27:34 If the factory manager finds out who's organizing the protest,

2:27:40 there's going to be trouble.

2:27:53 I'm going to go steal some supplies.

2:27:55 Hope nobody notices me taking them.

2:27:56 Go ahead.

2:27:57 Nobody will care.

2:27:59 Maybe I can sell them to earn some cash.

2:28:02 You're not going to earn much on them.

2:28:05 Maybe enough for a drink or two.

2:28:07 Yeah, and that's about all...

2:28:08 Rumors have been flying for the past month.

2:28:15 They say that the factory is going bankrupt.

2:28:18 There are shortages of everything.

2:28:25 We used to get trainloads of coal,

2:28:31 but now it's just a small truckload, not even enough to run the furnaces.

2:28:47 We're going bankrupt, any day...

2:29:03 Where's Zhao Bo?

2:29:07 Have you been drinking?

2:29:12 Yeah, I bought this.

2:29:13 Want some?

2:29:15 No.

2:29:15 Did you eat yet?

2:29:16 Yeah, I already ate.

2:29:19 Don't go downstairs again.

2:29:20 There's nothing but ash down there.

2:29:21 There's some bread up here, too.

2:29:25 Why don't you eat it for lunch?

2:29:27 I promised to bring it down to someone, but it's already been over an hour!

2:29:32 I'm going back down.

2:29:33 I already ate.

2:29:39 Have you eaten yet?

2:29:41 Yeah.

2:29:44 What time is it?

2:29:46 I It must be at least 12:30.

2:29:48 It's 12:00.

2:29:51 You going down?

2:29:52 Yeah, I'm going out for a smoke.

2:30:01 Oh, courage, don't fail me now...

2:30:15 There's water for showers.

2:30:32 What time should I come in tomorrow?

2:30:36 Why come in at all?

2:30:37 Why bother?

2:30:37 There's nothing left to do here.

2:30:39 I thought I'd come in and see if the factory is bankrupt yet...

2:30:44 I think there's something wrong with my arm.

2:30:46 It's going numb.

2:30:49 Maybe you're dying.

2:30:52 Hey, if I have to go to the hospital, will the factory pay for it?

2:31:01 What do you think?

2:31:03 They probably won't pay for 100% of it, will they?

2:31:07 Who knows, these days...

2:31:10 Well, I'm going to ask them.

2:31:15 Come on, let's hit the showers.

2:31:20 Worrying about the factory is a waste of time.

2:31:22 Let's shower and get out of here.

2:31:29 Will anyone be in the clinic now?

2:31:33 You're wasting your time...

2:31:59 What's the extension?

2:32:02 123, right?

2:32:05 No, that's not right.

2:32:07 What's the number?

2:32:09 I'm telling you, nobody's there.

2:32:25 We're all getting laid off soon, anyway.

2:32:58 Copper smelting blast furnace workers What time is it?

2:33:09 How long until we get off?

2:33:12 An hour?

2:33:19 Two more hours.

2:33:21 Two more hours, that means we'll have to load the furnace again.

2:33:25 Stop worrying about what time you get off.

2:33:56 If I cut my foot again, they're going to have to replace my foot!

2:34:03 Fuck, that looks bad.

2:34:04 Here you go.

2:34:08 See?

2:34:08 I got cut twice!

2:34:22 What the hell...?

2:34:24 Don't worry, they've got it under control.

2:34:31 Blast furnace foreman Zhou Qixing The main thing right

2:34:38 now is to give the workers some sense of stability.

2:34:40 Hey, remember that foreman from the sheet metal factory?

2:34:44 He lives in Nanhu now.

2:34:47 Well, he's a pedicab driver now.

2:34:52 Now that the factory's bankrupt, he's a laborer, like the rest of us...

2:34:57 Are you in charge?

2:34:59 Yeah.

2:35:01 I'm going to ask the foreman!

2:35:02 Go ahead...ask your goddamned foreman.

2:35:42 Smelting plant internal supply railway Zinc smelting

2:36:08 plant raw materials receiving depot Temporary workers

2:36:30 unloading shipments of raw materials for the zinc

2:36:33 smelting plant Not many deliveries these days.

2:40:05 Any news about the factory yet?

2:40:08 None at all?

2:40:09 Everyone's talking about it.

2:40:12 There are a lot of rumors that the factory is going bankrupt.

2:40:17 But nobody knows for sure Well, it won't be long.

2:40:28 Look at all that empty space.

2:40:30 We're not even getting shipments of raw materials these days.

2:40:38 If we keep working, we can finish by 4:00.

2:40:42 This is the only shipment today.

2:40:46 I can't leave until you finish unloading.

2:40:50 1200 bags, right?

2:40:53 There must be 1200 bags left.

2:41:20 Smelting factory, zinc plating plant The finished zinc plates,

2:42:22 after undergoing chemical processing.

2:43:29 It's against regulations to make these, you know...

2:43:52 They take a lot of time.

2:43:58 They're nice, though, don't you think?

2:44:09 I was sent down for nearly two years It was a bad time to be a student...

2:44:31 Back then, nobody cared if we learned anything.

2:44:33 The teachers never made us study.

2:44:37 Even in junior high school, you didn't have to go to class.

2:44:40 You knew they'd give you a diploma anyway.

2:44:43 All you had to do was show up on exam day.

2:44:47 Even if you didn't turn in an exam, they'd still pass you.

2:44:51 They sent us down as soon as we graduated.

2:44:55 That was it...

2:44:56 .we had no skills, no real education.

2:45:00 It was the same for everyone my age.

2:45:04 None of us got any education.

2:45:06 Right now, if you gave me a grade-school textbook,

2:45:08 I could read it okay, but that's about it.

2:45:17 You know that we never even studied phonics?

2:45:21 Phonics is basic stuff, right?

2:45:23 But I never learned it.

2:45:25 I don't think they ever taught us.

2:45:30 These days, I can read okay.

2:45:32 I can read most of the grade school characters.

2:45:39 But when it comes to science, chemistry or physics, I'm pretty lost.

2:45:50 Chemistry's a complete blank, and I doubt I could understand a biology textbook.

2:45:56 I could do a lab experiment, sure,

2:46:00 but if I had to read about it in a book, I wouldn't understand anything.

2:46:06 As for history, literature, geography...

2:46:11 I know as much as the next guy.

2:46:14 But that's just common knowledge.

2:46:18 I have a tough time with math.

2:46:20 Sure, I know the basics things like addition and subtraction,

2:46:23 multiplication and division.

2:46:26 But I can't do fractions or algebra.

2:46:33 Not that you need much math to work in a place like this.

2:46:39 In grade school, I never had much respect for my teachers.

2:46:44 Nobody did.

2:46:44 Back then, our heroes were the kids who struggled against authority,

2:46:47 or turned in blank exam papers.

2:46:50 We went to school, but we never listened to the teacher.

2:46:55 Nobody listened in class, but the teachers couldn't complain.

2:47:00 If they did, we'd struggle against them, or put up big character posters.

2:47:06 We never studied for exams, either.

2:47:10 We'd just come to school one day, they'd tell us the exam topic,

2:47:17 and pass out the exam papers on such-and-such a topic,

2:47:22 and then you'd take it home.

2:47:23 They let you look up all the answers at home,

2:47:29 then turn it in the next day at school.

2:47:31 The plant's closing in two days.

2:47:33 What?

2:47:33 We've got two more days.

2:47:34 Are you serious?

2:47:35 Yeah.

2:47:35 They're shutting down the zinc smelting plant in two days.

2:47:40 Do we still have to come to work on Monday?

2:47:44 The factory manager was just here for the meeting.

2:47:50 He changed his driver so that nobody would recognize him,

2:47:53 and kept the car circling outside, waiting for him to come out.

2:47:57 He drove off the minute the meeting was over.

2:48:02 I felt sorry for him...

2:48:05 he looked terrified.

2:48:07 So, the plant is closing.

2:48:11 There won't be any work done around here these last two days...

2:48:15 If you're going to steal those tools, you'd better do it soon.

2:48:20 We've only got two more days.

2:48:23 At least there's no work to do now, so nobody will miss them.

2:48:29 You can hide them some place safe, then sneak them out on your last day.

2:48:35 Your brother works over in maintenance, doesn't he?

2:48:37 He doesn't have anywhere to put them.

2:48:39 Doesn't he have a toolbox?

2:48:41 Yeah, he's got a toolbox, just like the ones we use.

2:48:43 Fucking idiot...

2:48:45 Who's an idiot?

2:48:46 Your brother.

2:48:47 I'm telling you, it's not that simple.

2:48:49 Nobody will even notice.

2:48:50 But where is he going to put it?

2:48:53 It doesn't take up that much space.

2:48:56 Listen, it's not that complicated.

2:48:58 Just hide your tools over there today, and take them when you leave tomorrow.

2:49:04 Forget it we'd never get past the guards.

2:49:07 But they're our tools.

2:49:08 They belong to the factory!

2:49:15 You going to take a shower?

2:49:17 No.

2:49:31 I can't believe we're bankrupt.

2:49:32 It happened so fast...

2:49:53 On April 29, 2000, the Shenyang smelting plant closed

2:49:56 its zinc smelting plant and sent all the workers home.

2:50:04 Copper smelting plant,

2:50:05 furnace maintenance workers' meeting If you start slacking off,

2:50:11 you'll only be hurting yourselves.

2:50:12 But we've still got work to do here.

2:50:14 If you start slacking off, you'll only be hurting yourselves.

2:50:17 For now it's business as usual.

2:50:20 I want you all to keep doing your jobs, and be especially conscious of safety.

2:50:34 Du Aibin broke his hand recently, and I don't want any more accidents.

2:50:50 So look out for yourselves.

2:50:54 Remember: "Safety first!" We've got to keep working,

2:51:00 and take this one day at a time.

2:51:03 Do the best you can, and don't get sloppy.

2:51:09 There's a chance we might get bonuses.

2:51:12 So if you don't get your bonus because you've been slacking off,

2:51:17 you won't have anyone to blame but yourself!

2:51:37 We should turn off the lights.

2:51:41 Yeah, conserve electricity...

2:53:21 June 9, 2000, Shenyang smelting factory, copper smelting plant.

2:53:31 On May 30, 2000, the Shenyang smelting factory closed

2:53:33 its copper smelting plant and sent all copper smelters home.

2:56:02 June 11, 2000 The last copper plating plant left in production.

2:59:14 That's too big.

2:59:15 What's wrong with it?

2:59:22 You'll never get it past the guards.

2:59:27 Well, at least I can try...

2:59:33 It's over.

2:59:34 This place is bankrupt You came just in time

2:59:43 to see this place go out of business.

2:59:44 This place go out of business.

2:59:49 Ours is the last plant still open, and we close tomorrow.

2:59:58 Even last winter wasn't this bad.

3:00:04 This time we're closing for good.

3:00:17 The factory still hasn't paid our salaries for June!

3:00:26 They owe some people a whole year but there's no money left on the books.

3:00:41 Guo said he just got paid.

3:00:43 I asked, and they said no.

3:00:47 So far, no one's been paid.

3:00:49 Liu didn't get paid yet.

3:00:51 He wouldn't anyway.

3:00:52 He hasn't shown up for work in a month.

3:00:54 Some of them are supposed to get paid up until the end of the year.

3:00:59 That's more than we'll get.

3:01:49 Guess it doesn't matter what time we come in tomorrow.

3:01:51 200 should be fine.

3:01:54 I'm not used to coming in at 8:00.

3:02:06 By the time I get used to it...

3:02:13 By the time I get used to it, the factory will be bankrupt!

3:02:19 8:00 isn't that early.

3:02:21 It's no big deal Let's go.

3:04:01 On June 6, 2000, the Shenyang Smelting Factory closed its

3:04:04 last copper plating plant and laid off all remaining workers.

3:06:07 Soon after this,, all laid-off lead smelting workers are required to travel

3:06:12 to a hospital 30 kilometers away for their last round of medical treatments.

3:06:17 The treatments last for one month, and are held four times each year.

3:06:38 June 13, 2000 Lead smelting workers arrive at the hospital

3:07:38 Look what reading porn has turned me into...

3:07:55 Hell, there's nothing else to do around here.

3:08:03 What's that?

3:08:04 Same old game?

3:08:07 Man, I'm out of batteries.

3:08:18 See?

3:08:18 That little light's not on.

3:08:19 And I just got to level ten...

3:08:32 I'm going 10 bed.

3:08:35 Let me take a peek at that book!

3:08:38 Just be careful...

3:08:41 don't drop it on the ground or anything...

3:09:11 Bet you couldn't play that if we threw something in there!

3:09:17 Give him the sheet music.

3:09:28 Where is it?

3:09:32 It's in that bag.

3:09:34 In the bag?

3:09:41 Be careful...

3:09:41 don't step on his case.

3:09:45 And play the whole song this time.

3:09:48 You always stop in the middle...

3:09:49 we want to hear the whole thing.

3:09:51 No stopping this time, okay?

3:09:52 You always do that...

3:10:09 Floating on the river Delicate bamboo Soaring

3:10:19 in the distance Lofty peaks of blue The eagle,

3:10:26 so heroic Spreads his wings and soars I'm off to fight,

3:10:30 my darling I'm off to fight the war To take

3:10:38 the place of men who fall And heed the Party's call...

3:11:02 Where am I supposed to go again?

3:11:12 Hey, can I take one of those boxes when you're done using it?

3:11:16 Sure.

3:11:16 They're right over there.

3:11:24 I can't find my name on this list.

3:11:25 What is this list, anyway?

3:11:27 The list of patients with lead poisoning...

3:11:34 I think I have another shot this afternoon.

3:11:36 Can you absorb another one this soon?

3:11:38 Sure, why not?

3:11:39 It takes a while to absorb.

3:11:41 It's a slow process.

3:11:44 It's three shots in all, right?

3:11:49 Remember I told you about my dad's dogs?

3:11:52 Well, he asked me to kill one of them, so I beat the dog to death.

3:12:00 We had two dogs— one male, one female.

3:12:02 The male bit my dad.

3:12:08 Didn't want it anymore, huh?

3:12:10 Well, it bit him pretty bad.

3:12:12 I was so mad when I heard, I said we ought to Kill it.

3:12:17 My dad was pretty mad, too.

3:12:18 He said if I wanted to kill it, go ahead.

3:12:23 Let me help you with that needle.

3:12:34 Does it hurt?

3:12:41 Do I have another shot tomorrow?

3:12:43 How many have you had?

3:12:45 Just one.

3:12:46 Then you should have another one tonight.

3:12:49 Where did you go last night?

3:12:50 I didn't go for my shot.

3:12:52 I forgot.

3:12:57 Too busy having fun, I guess.

3:12:58 I got one the first day, but not yesterday.

3:13:06 Is this swelling normal?

3:13:07 It isn't going down.

3:13:10 I think that's normal.

3:13:21 The medicine isn't going in!

3:13:27 Take the needle out.

3:13:29 It's swollen.

3:13:32 Does it hurt?

3:13:35 The swelling should go down on its own, right?

3:13:38 Yeah.

3:13:45 Hard to find my veins...

3:13:48 That's because you're too fat.

3:13:55 It was no problem yesterday.

3:14:17 Did the needle go in?

3:14:19 No, it didn't.

3:14:20 It didn't even go in.

3:14:24 You just have to use more force.

3:14:27 Forget it then.

3:14:33 Don't keep trying.

3:14:36 You're supposed to relax your hand.

3:14:40 It's hard to find a vein.

3:14:42 My veins hurt.

3:14:46 This time should be all right...

3:14:55 Does that hurt?

3:14:57 He's fat, that's why you're having trouble finding a vein.

3:15:00 Does it hurt?

3:15:01 If it hurts, forget it.

3:15:04 Yeah.

3:15:04 My arm hurts.

3:15:06 Then forget it.

3:15:07 Take the needle out.

3:15:10 Maybe they ought to give you the injection in your ass, instead!

3:15:26 Try here.

3:15:27 I already got one there.

3:15:30 Try this area.

3:15:37 Maybe this area will work.

3:15:45 You can't find a vein because you're too fat.

3:15:48 I think maybe my veins got tangled up somehow...

3:16:05 The injections contain a chelating agent to rid

3:16:07 the bloodstream of lead and other harmful chemicals,

3:16:12 though it also eliminates other beneficial minerals from the blood.

3:16:15 For this reason, the workers are required to stay in hospital for one month.

3:16:24 Hello?

3:16:24 Testing, testing...

3:16:30 I think it works.

3:16:33 It works?

3:16:38 Unplug that, will you?

3:17:03 You either agree to play mahjong, or we'll have to beat you up!

3:17:08 We're not taking no for an answer!

3:17:11 You've got nothing better to do.

3:17:17 Come on, let's start the game!

3:17:19 You invited me to play last night, so I'm inviting you tonight.

3:17:22 Come on, Chen!

3:17:23 Hey, you should know that these guys lost yesterday, and didn't pay up.

3:17:29 They didn't?

3:17:30 That's no way to act.

3:17:32 That's right— you lose, you pay up.

3:17:36 At least I always pay my debts.

3:17:39 Come on, let's go!

3:17:40 You've got to pay your debts.

3:17:43 We're playing eight rounds tonight.

3:17:44 Are you in or out?

3:17:48 I'm not taking any excuses.

3:17:50 I'm serious.

3:17:51 I can't.

3:17:53 Maybe tomorrow.

3:17:54 Hurry, maybe we can still sell his saxophone out on the street!

3:18:03 What's he going to do about it?

3:18:07 If you're too afraid to light those, give them to me and I'll do it!

3:18:13 Are you playing?

3:18:13 If you say no, I'm going to burn these.

3:18:15 All that work, up in flames...

3:18:20 Are you playing?

3:18:48 Come on, you've got to play!

3:18:50 Seriously...if you don't play, we'll have to beat you up.

3:18:54 Don't think we won't.

3:18:59 But I can never sit still through a whole game...

3:19:01 That's no problem.

3:19:02 We'll find you a stick to sit on!

3:19:10 We really needed you yesterday.

3:19:11 We were short one person.

3:19:14 Tell them where you went last night.

3:19:20 You know what this guy was doing?

3:19:22 Sleeping?

3:19:22 No, he was up all night.

3:19:25 How do you know?

3:19:26 Were you there?

3:19:29 Liu told me.

3:19:30 They were in the next town, with a bunch of working girls...

3:19:34 See what you're missing?

3:20:54 Look...I caught a moth.

3:20:58 Don't stir up the water...

3:21:04 One person can do that, if you use a stick to hold the bag open.

3:21:08 We'll try it with two people, because the bag will be heavy.

3:21:11 All right...let's go!

3:21:19 Aw, hell...

3:21:20 we didn't catch a goddamned thing!

3:21:23 There are some tiny shrimp in there.

3:21:27 I'll bet most of the fish in this pond are already dead...

3:21:40 It's hard to do this with two people.

3:21:43 Let's gather up these little fish.

3:21:45 There.

3:21:50 That's all of them.

3:21:54 That's it.

3:21:57 Let's try over by that dam.

3:21:59 Let's go.

3:22:02 Hey, this bag's got a hole in it.

3:22:13 I'm going to switch bags.

3:22:27 It's leaking.

3:22:30 This one's got an even bigger hole in it.

3:23:35 Come on, give us a smile...

3:23:41 Who's that?

3:23:52 I don't care if she's your wife.

3:23:53 I want to sit next to my best mate!

3:24:15 Why aren't you drinking?

3:24:18 I thought we were best mates.

3:24:20 That means you've got to drink!

3:24:31 Lets go...

3:24:36 The police are coming.

3:24:38 What, to take pictures?

3:24:40 Really, they're coming.

3:24:41 Someone called them.

3:24:43 They heard someone was found floating in the fish pond.

3:24:48 Well, they're definitely coming.

3:24:57 They'll probably wait until afternoon, when the weather cools down a bit...

3:25:22 Some time that morning,

3:25:23 lead smelting plant worker Yang Mou accidentally drowned while

3:25:26 trying to catch fish in the pond behind the hospital.

3:25:31 Just last night, he was sleeping upstairs.

3:26:32 There are rats, I'm telling you.

3:26:33 Can't you hear them in there?

3:26:35 First they fed the fish...

3:26:38 ...and threw a net as soon as they saw any.

3:26:46 There aren't any fish in that pond.

3:26:48 Sure there are.

3:26:50 Maybe, but not many.

3:27:01 The weather report said it was supposed to be sunny.

3:27:06 I wonder if it's raining back home.

3:27:15 We sure needed the rain.

3:27:19 If only he'd decided to stay in and play cards or something,

3:27:24 this never would have happened.

3:27:30 He just got here yesterday.

3:27:33 Here today, gone tomorrow...

3:27:39 Bet your flowers will be glad for this rain.

3:27:42 They sure will.

3:27:47 Like water to a thirsty man...

3:27:50 True words, very true.

3:27:56 They're meeting with the next-of-kin today, aren't they?

3:28:01 Yeah, they're at the factory now.

3:28:04 They're meeting at the factory?

3:28:07 Guess they didn't want them crying and carrying on here.

3:28:14 Looks like it's going to rain.

3:28:16 Was there any trouble with the family yesterday?

3:28:20 No, nobody had told them yet.

3:28:22 They didn't even know?

3:28:23 The top three honchos from the factory were here yesterday.

3:28:30 I saw the car, but I figured it must have been the family.

3:28:35 They only notified the family today.

3:28:44 It was so hot I guess they wanted to get him to the morgue quickly.

3:28:52 Still, they should have told the family earlier.

3:28:55 I'm telling you,- They handled this all wrong.

3:29:00 Exactly.

3:29:01 They should have had the family here when they pulled him from the pond.

3:29:10 Otherwise, they're going to wonder if he committed suicide or something.

3:29:19 But the police took pictures.

3:29:22 That's still secondhand evidence.

3:29:25 But they're photos from the scene.

3:29:28 Usually in a case of drowning,

3:29:30 they let the family see the place where it happened.

3:29:34 They handled this all wrong.

3:29:42 Today the family is meeting with one of the lower-level managers.

3:29:49 It's not even somebody senior.

3:29:55 The boss won't even be there.

3:29:59 They want to see how the family reacts.

3:30:05 Then if there's a problem, they'll send in the boss.

3:30:13 He'll make an offer, say 20,000 and the family will ask for 30,000.

3:30:20 They're worried that the family is out to make some money...

3:30:42 We welcome you not with wine, Nor with Tibetan tea, Nor with silken scarves,

3:30:50 But offer up a joyful song To the Liberation Army Oh!

3:30:57 Welcome this, our liberation...

3:31:33 "Tie Xi District Workers' Village" The factory's mostly deserted now.

3:31:41 I'm going over tomorrow anyway to see if there's any news.

3:31:46 They might need a few people to keep watch over the place.

3:31:52 It's hard to say what happens next.

3:31:58 The factory is definitely bankrupt.

3:32:00 It might reopen if they can sell it but we have no say in that.

3:32:07 That's for management to decide.

3:32:09 I don't know how we'd be affected if it reopened.

3:32:12 It's not clear yet.

3:32:14 They're keeping a lid on it for now.

3:32:18 Nobody's saying anything just yet...

3:32:21 If the factory does reopen, there would be shareholders.

3:32:28 We might have to buy shares, say 10,000 yuan each.

3:32:33 But if things don't work out and they fail again,

3:32:37 we wouldn't get our money back.

3:32:40 You could kiss it and goodbye!

3:32:42 That's right, goodbye.

3:32:43 That's 10,000 yuan, gone.

3:32:44 Your shares might not mean anything.

3:32:47 They're not going to give you any of the equipment, right?

3:32:52 They'll auction it off, but you won't get the whole 10,000.

3:32:59 You might get a few thousand, but you'd still lose seven or eight thousand.

3:33:09 How much money do you earn fixing bicycles?

3:33:12 I'm not working today.

3:33:14 Did you buy that hat with the money you earned?

3:33:22 I earn five or six yuan a day.

3:33:27 Fuck, you'd make more collecting bottles!

3:33:34 Then you could rent this place out.

3:33:44 For five or six yuan a day it's hardly worth it.

3:33:46 It keeps me busy.

3:33:47 You'd still be better off collecting bottles.

3:33:48 Like I said, it keeps me busy.

3:33:55 The bankruptcy was official on August 9th.

3:34:00 They held a meeting, but the workers weren't invited.

3:34:05 I think we read it in...

3:34:08 The China Commerce Morning Edition- Yeah, that's right.

3:34:11 I think the headline went something like:

3:34:15 "Massive State Owned Enterprise Files for Bankruptcy" August 20,

3:34:26 2000: the Shenyang Smelting Factory goes bankrupt Hell,

3:35:36 there must be a meter of steel sunk

3:35:39 into that soil No wonder everyone's out there digging it up.

3:35:46 They're trucking it out every day.

3:35:48 They'll be digging for years...

3:36:18 Shenyang Sheet Metal Factory Call and tell them that the truck can't come today.

3:36:58 There are rules about paying back bond holders in a bankruptcy.

3:37:03 The machine tool plant still owes over five million yuan in employee bonds.

3:37:09 They probably won't pay back half.

3:37:14 Fucking bastards...

3:37:16 Fuck that manager Zhang!

3:37:17 This is all his fault.

3:37:20 I tried to see him but his people said, "No!

3:37:22 You're not allowed in!"- Where did everyone go?

3:37:25 Out to lunch.

3:37:26 When will they be back?

3:37:28 Soon.

3:37:28 Can you give them this pension paperwork?

3:37:31 Who is it for?

3:37:32 For Liu Yita.

3:37:34 Liu Yita?

3:37:34 And don't tell me it's not your job.

3:37:37 Let me see if it's complete.

3:37:40 Hey, you've got contacts upstairs...

3:37:42 is there any news on employee bonds?

3:37:45 They'll pay them when they sell this building.

3:37:48 I thought they already sold it.

3:37:54 They did, they're just waiting for the money.

3:37:58 They'd better pay me, or else- Or you'll give them hell, eh?

3:38:03 You'll get your money, don't worry.

3:38:05 They're paying employee bonds first.

3:38:07 Hey, this envelope has the wrong name.

3:38:11 Look below it, there's another name.

3:38:19 Liu Yifa.

3:38:20 Why does that sound so familiar?

3:38:22 You wouldn't know him.

3:38:24 He's retired.

3:38:26 He gets 216 yuan a month.

3:38:27 He retired early, that's why he doesn't get paid much.

3:38:34 How's your husband?

3:38:35 He's still at the same job.

3:38:36 Still raking in the money, eh?

3:38:39 Put this over there, will you?

3:38:45 So I don't forget it, that's why!

3:38:47 Sorry to trouble you.

3:38:49 Thanks again.

3:38:50 I appreciate your help.

3:38:51 It was my pleasure.

3:38:57 You're only nice to women, you know that?

3:39:03 It's my only fault...I can't help it.

3:39:05 I've always been a ladies' man.

3:39:08 It gets expensive, though.

3:39:10 My wife always complains I spend too much money on these trips.

3:39:14 Fuck, I've been here 20 times, spent over 2000 yuan,

3:39:17 and I still haven't seen a penny of that bond money!

3:39:21 I can't keep asking my wife for money!

3:39:26 At least I bargain the hookers down to 30.

3:39:31 3 tricks a day at 30 each means a hooker can make over 20,000 a year.

3:39:36 That's more than old guys like us could make...

3:39:41 Those laid-off factory girls are willing to do it for 20 or 30.

3:39:46 It ain't bad work.

3:39:47 Top or bottom, everybody wins.

3:39:49 This is what society's driven us to.

3:39:52 Understand what I'm saying?

3:39:54 No, not really.

3:39:55 Why is sex so cheap?

3:39:58 Layoffs.

3:39:58 That's why there's a glut.

3:40:04 Fuck, it just makes me angry.

3:40:05 Understand what I'm saying?

3:40:06 No.

3:40:11 Shenyang Sheet Metal Factory Workers' break room This umbrella doesn't work.

3:40:54 There's not much left here.

3:41:16 Fuck, look at these two.

3:41:18 Both of them blinked.

3:41:42 This place is deserted.

3:42:24 This was the break room.

3:42:29 How about these lockers?

3:42:32 They're in pretty good shape.

3:42:35 There's still some good stuff around here...

3:42:38 Fuck, they've looted everything.

3:42:55 Look, somebody's worker I.D.

3:42:57 card...

3:44:16 Give me a drink of that.

3:44:18 It's just beer.

3:44:19 Why don't you stay for a while?

3:44:19 I have to get home soon.

3:44:20 I'll wait until the truck is loaded.

3:44:24 The truck's still here.

3:44:27 Last time it came back around 1:00.

3:44:38 Hey, take a look at that...

3:44:44 The Shenyang Sheet Metal Factory offices The factory was bankrupt in 1998,

3:44:53 but we had to wait for approval.

3:44:57 The city has a limit on the number of bankruptcies it can approve in a year.

3:45:01 And ours was big one— 600 million.

3:45:03 Come in, we're just talking.

3:45:08 The city has a limit of 300 million per year.

3:45:12 We were twice the annual limit.

3:45:20 That's why it took so long.

3:45:23 We had to wait for three years before we finally got approval.

3:45:29 The city made us wait a long time.

3:45:35 Hey, look— two sets of books.

3:45:42 Hey, not on camera, man...

3:45:43 It's okay, he's a friend.

3:45:44 There's this one...

3:45:46 I know, I know.

3:45:50 These are trucking records.

3:45:52 I know already...

3:46:05 October 28, 2000 The Shenyang Sheet Metal Factory being dismantled.

3:46:09 The Shenyang Sheet Metal Factory pays retired workers their salaries.

3:48:04 Have they paid salaries yet?

3:48:06 What, not yet?

3:48:07 Why stand around here waiting, then?

3:48:20 It's already ten-thirty.

3:48:21 Fuck this...

3:48:22 They won't be paying salaries today.

3:48:28 Zhao says they're going to pay us tomorrow.

3:48:31 Zhu, give me one of those good cigarettes.

3:48:33 I don't have any good ones.

3:48:35 I thought you got paid!

3:48:37 Why'd you buy the cheap ones?

3:48:39 I haven't been paid in full yet.

3:48:40 If you can't stay any longer we can wait in line for you.

3:48:45 Why'd you buy these ones?

3:48:47 I needed change, so I bought the cheap ones.

3:48:50 What number are you?

3:48:52 What's your number?

3:48:54 Number 1856.

3:48:55 Hell, they don't even go that high!

3:48:57 Who do you think you're fooling?

3:49:00 Hell, we have no say in any of this.

3:49:02 We have to take what they give us.

3:49:07 They could offer 5 yuan, and you wouldn't have any choice.

3:49:12 Nothing you can do.

3:49:16 I wonder what's going on.

3:49:18 How much did you get?

3:49:20 Fuck...

3:49:20 less than 300 yuan.

3:49:21 That's not bad— some get even less.

3:49:25 Who does?

3:49:26 There was a crippled guy in here earlier...

3:49:29 he only got 280.

3:49:32 That's not so bad.

3:51:42 February 24, 2001 Chinese New Year Happy New Year!

3:52:35 In the winter of 2000-2001 the Shenyang Electrical Cable Factory,

3:52:38 unable to pay its heating bills,

3:52:40 decided to temporarily cease production and send

3:52:41 all remaining workers home for the winter.

3:52:48 March 14, 2001: Workers return to their jobs after a long absence.

3:52:52 Something stinks in here.

3:52:54 It's probably a dead rat.

3:52:56 I think it's coming from that drawer.

3:52:58 Be careful.

3:52:59 Don't let it bite you.

3:53:06 Are there rat droppings?

3:53:07 No, I don't think so.

3:53:09 It smells like someone farted in here!

3:53:11 You're right.

3:53:11 I smelled it last time, too I should leave you my phone number.

3:53:22 Write it down.

3:53:23 I'll put it in the book later.

3:53:29 What a dreary place this is...

3:53:49 In the months the factory was idled,

3:53:51 the water pipes froze and burst, flooding the entire factory floor.

3:54:42 Let's go, hurry up.

3:55:02 Hurry up.

3:55:23 You don't have to close those.

3:56:06 Shenyang Smelting Factory workers' housing Factory worker Li Jingliang

3:56:13 and his family All you do is hang around all day.

3:56:24 Fuck, he's still sleeping?

3:56:30 They're letting hardship cases sign up.

3:56:32 It's a kind of welfare.

3:56:35 How do we sign up?

3:56:37 There's a form.

3:56:38 It's easy.

3:56:39 Where do you sign up?

3:56:40 At the local government office.

3:56:44 Hell, I shouldn't have to fill out a form.

3:56:46 It's obvious we're a hardship case.

3:56:47 You have to go there to sign up.

3:56:49 They're sure not going to come looking for you!

3:56:51 I could sign up in my mom's neighborhood.

3:56:57 Who's the mayor there?

3:57:01 Is it Chen Zhigao?

3:57:05 My wife and I are both laid off.

3:57:09 If they don't believe us, I'll show them the layoff notices.

3:57:12 Is it a one-time payment?

3:57:15 It's a subsidy.

3:57:18 So, they pay us a subsidy every month?

3:57:21 Yeah.

3:57:21 They give you the poverty line allowance.

3:57:23 It's about 200 a month, maybe more.

3:57:28 The government owes us 5,300 in unemployment insurance.

3:57:38 Unemployment insurance is 220 per month.

3:57:42 For two years.

3:57:48 But they give it to you all at once.

3:57:55 God knows we could use it.

3:57:58 Hey Li!

3:57:59 Are you a hardship case yet?

3:58:00 If so, better tell it to the mayor...

3:58:01 If you're a hardship case, we must be destitute.

3:58:04 Everyone's a fucking hardship case.

3:58:05 No one has a job around here.

3:58:07 Of course, they've all been laid off.

3:58:08 If that's not hardship, what is?

3:58:10 You could always ask the mayor to give you a personal loan!

3:58:12 Yeah, I'll ask him for the special "poverty line allowance".

3:58:17 What's the poverty line in Shenyang?

3:58:22 226 yuan per month.

3:58:23 It's definitely over two hundred.

3:58:25 It's 226 yuan per month.

3:58:30 Fuck, who can live on 200 a month?

3:58:33 Li Jun, didn't you say you wanted to use the shower at my place?

3:58:36 200 a month is barely enough for food.

3:58:38 I need a shower, but it can wait.

3:58:44 I'll just wait until tonight...

3:59:19 March 30, 2001 The Shenyang Sheet Metal Factory is demolished.

4:04:08 Rainbow Row is a working class neighborhood located within the Tie

4:04:11 Xi Qu industrial district in the city of Shenyang, northeastern China.

4:04:16 It was known for many years as "Handmaiden's Grave",

4:04:19 because local legend has it that an indentured servant girl in the employ

4:04:23 of a wealthy household lies buried in an unmarked grave nearby.

4:04:27 Much later, the name was changed to the rather more upbeat "Rainbow Row".

4:04:33 Starting in the 1930's, the neighborhood experienced a population boom,

4:04:40 as Chinese from other regions came here

4:04:43 to find work in Japanese munitions factories,

4:04:46 or to flee the fighting during World

4:04:48 War !I and the subsequent Chinese civil war.

4:04:52 The late 1970's and early 1980's brought about another influx of residents,

4:04:57 as students who had been "sent-down"

4:04:59 during the Cultural Revolution began returning

4:05:01 from the countryside to settle down and start families in the area.

4:05:04 Today, most of the residents of Rainbow

4:05:06 Row are industrial workers employed in nearby factories.

4:05:11 December 1999 Give me a hand with this.

4:05:30 Bring it over here...

4:05:42 Tie Xi District municipal government fairgrounds China Charity

4:06:01 Lottery promotional event Welcome to the China Charity Lottery!

4:06:15 We've got big prizes for lottery ticket holders,

4:06:17 plus special prizes for "double-A" ticket holders!

4:06:21 And the lottery has only just begun...

4:06:26 Prizes include these minibuses for lucky "double-A" ticket holders!

4:06:35 Now, we all know that in this world, there are no saviors, never have been.

4:06:41 You've got to rely on your own talent, your own hard work, brains and brawn.

4:06:48 Success, even in the lottery, means investing a little time and money.

4:06:53 Success, whether in business or in life, requires an investment.

4:06:58 It's the same for the lottery.

4:07:00 But an investment in the China Charity Lottery,

4:07:02 is an investment in yourself and your country.

4:07:06 It's a chance to aid society and worthy charities,

4:07:10 and a chance to win something for yourself.

4:07:14 What better way to spend your money?

4:07:20 Not on cigarettes- Smoking's bad for your lungs!

4:07:24 Not on drinks- Drinking's bad for your stomach!

4:07:27 Saunas are too expensive.

4:07:30 So are discos.

4:07:32 Not on mahjong- Gambling's bad for society.

4:07:36 The lottery is both economical and profitable...

4:07:40 Your good fortune starts with the lottery!

4:07:44 Bring out the cars, please!

4:07:47 Just look at these beautiful cars.

4:07:50 Soon they could be yours!

4:07:57 Sir, how much did you spend on lottery tickets today?

4:08:04 Thirty yuan.

4:08:06 Let me introduce our winner, Ma Xueping.

4:08:08 He's from Tie Xi District, a hometown boy I bet you're all proud of him.

4:08:13 Ma Xueping, age 37, ticket number 242...

4:08:23 Let's give him a red ribbon!

4:08:25 So, now that you've got fortune and fame, you must be feeling pretty happy!

4:08:31 Sure, I'm happy.

4:08:32 Aren't you just thrilled?

4:08:35 Yeah, thrilled.

4:08:36 Of course you're thrilled- Because it's all for a good cause!

4:08:46 So Xueping, you're a hometown boy...

4:08:50 Where do you work?

4:08:52 Huh?

4:08:53 I said: Where do you work?

4:08:55 I'm sort of between jobs right now.

4:08:57 Between jobs, eh?

4:08:58 How long has it been?

4:09:00 Six months?

4:09:02 Oh, about ten years...

4:09:05 My, that's a pretty long break!

4:09:09 Nice to have a break, though.

4:09:11 So how do you spend your time?

4:09:15 Hanging around the house, mostly.

4:09:17 Oh...then where do you get the money for lottery tickets?

4:09:21 I borrow it.

4:09:37 Let's see if I won anything.

4:09:45 One look at this comedian, and you just know he's from the south!

4:10:58 Try your luck with the lottery!

4:11:04 If luck is on your side and you're holding two "A" tickets,

4:11:10 you'll win the grand prize!

4:11:15 A big round of applause for our singer!

4:11:22 Let's hear it for him...

4:11:31 To thank this young lady for helping the lottery,

4:11:34 I'm going to give her this lovely scarf I How about that?

4:11:40 Let me put it on her.

4:12:05 Raise your veil and let me see your face...

4:12:10 and let me see your face...

4:12:13 Your round, rosy cheeks are like the autumn apples...

4:12:18 Your round, rosy cheeks are like the autumn apples...

4:12:55 Tie Xi District, Rainbow Row January 2000

4:13:05 The fairgrounds after Chinese New Year You collecting metal?

4:13:43 Scrap metal?

4:15:10 Here, I sold it all.

4:15:36 The police station?

4:15:38 But we didn't steal anything!

4:15:52 This stuff is ours.

4:15:55 We found it.

4:17:03 I lost my beeper.

4:17:05 Were you at Chao Ran's house?

4:17:07 Yeah.

4:17:12 Bobo, age 17 It's fucking cold in here!

4:17:23 Bobo's mother Don't think about asking me for money.

4:17:27 Your dad didn't get his salary again.

4:17:29 No salary again?

4:17:31 What a joke.

4:17:35 Give me another orange.

4:17:37 For someone who's not bringing in a salary, you sure do eat a lot...

4:17:41 Where's the half I gave you?

4:17:43 I dropped it on the floor.

4:17:47 Oh, then forget it.

4:17:49 I don't want it.

4:17:53 You never eat regular meals, mom.

4:17:59 I'm out of here.

4:18:01 This place is depressing.

4:18:04 Bye, mom.

4:18:07 Just stay out of trouble!

4:18:09 What's that supposed to mean?

4:18:16 Hey, it's warmer than I thought.

4:18:21 It's snowing outside.

4:18:34 Who's at the store?

4:18:38 Nobody.

4:18:41 I'm going to have a look.

4:18:47 I don't have my beeper today.

4:18:50 I thought I might have lost it.

4:19:02 Then my mom lost my keys.

4:19:30 Rainbow Row, The "Lucky Swan" market February 14, 2000- Where's Shen Shen?

4:19:36 She went out.

4:19:37 I left my beeper somewhere.

4:19:39 I thought I lost it.

4:19:50 That's her!

4:19:50 Get her on tape, quick!

4:19:53 Where are you going?

4:19:58 Hey, don't leave!

4:20:25 I just want to give you some flowers.

4:20:29 Is that okay?

4:20:31 Suit yourself...

4:20:32 Wait, where are you going?

4:20:35 Can I come see you tonight?

4:20:39 What did you say?

4:20:53 Fuck this.

4:20:54 I'm tired of chasing after Nana.

4:21:04 I can't get anywhere with her!Fuck it, I say.

4:21:08 She's always leading me on.

4:21:11 But she won't actually go out with you?

4:21:18 She said she doesn't want to see anyone.

4:21:23 I told her that if she didn't fucking I'm

4:21:28 not there ten minutes before she starts acting all embarrassed.

4:21:35 Why keep hanging around, then?

4:21:40 Because persistence counts.

4:21:43 That's right!

4:21:43 And she's never actually said no...not directly.

4:21:45 But she's always hanging around, leading me on.

4:21:50 She keeps bringing up Wang Yao and other girls, and saying she knows them.

4:21:56 It's like she's trying to find out if I like anyone else.

4:22:03 She's always talking about Wang Yao.

4:22:06 How does she know Wang Yao?

4:22:07 Who knows?

4:22:08 But she seems to know everything about me.

4:22:15 I told her if she doesn't want to go out with me, just come out and say it.

4:22:21 Maybe she likes the chase.

4:22:26 You think so, Shen Shen?

4:22:27 She could just say no, right?

4:22:29 But she keeps leading me on.

4:22:32 You think maybe she likes you?

4:22:34 How could she?

4:22:35 I used to bully her in school.

4:22:38 I burned her arm with a pencil once.

4:22:44 She still got a big old mark there.

4:22:46 Afterward, she said she never wanted to talk to me again.

4:22:48 She fucking hates me now...

4:22:53 But it was an accident- I didn't mean to do it.

4:23:00 I did a lot of bad things back then.

4:23:03 How could you burn someone's arm?

4:23:08 Hell, I wouldn't do that to a corpse!

4:23:12 How long has she been with what's-his-name?

4:23:14 Chen Hao.

4:23:15 Two years.

4:23:16 You think they'll split?

4:23:17 Why not?

4:23:18 It happens.

4:23:19 How old is he, anyway?

4:23:21 Same age as me.

4:23:28 Why so tired, Bobo?

4:23:30 I was up past 2:00 reading a book, but my mom made me turn out the light.

4:23:36 I wanted to read until 3:00.

4:23:38 Damn, time flies when you're reading.

4:23:40 I didn't get to sleep until around 3:00, then I woke up at 9:00.

4:23:56 I'm exhausted.

4:23:59 I just want to go home and crash.

4:24:02 Why don't you go home then?

4:24:10 Because I have to wait for Chi Ying.

4:24:11 I have to ask her something.

4:24:13 Just don't bring her in here.

4:24:15 She's annoying.

4:24:18 I want to ask her to help me with Nana.

4:24:22 I had to really talk her into it.

4:24:26 Chi Ying's going to help me get some flowers for Nana.

4:24:35 Why don't you buy them yourself?

4:24:35 Forget it.

4:24:36 It's too cold outside, and I don't know where to go.

4:24:38 There's a flower shop on 13th street.

4:24:41 I'm just going to borrow some.

4:24:43 I'll ask Chi Ying if I can use her flowers.

4:24:52 Oh, Li Xu's mom called for him.

4:24:55 She sounded worried.

4:24:57 Really?

4:24:57 That's strange.

4:24:58 She didn't mention it when I talked to her.

4:25:03 It's easier to borrow Chi Ying's flowers...

4:25:07 Li Xu's mom asked me where he went.

4:25:10 I said he was with Whitey.

4:25:16 Will they let you borrow their flowers?

4:25:19 They don't need them, anyway.

4:25:21 They're just going to wilt, right?

4:25:22 But won't she mind?

4:25:23 They're her flowers.

4:25:24 Aw, Chi Ying doesn't need flowers.

4:25:26 I'll pay them 5 yuan for the flowers, then I'll give them to Nana.

4:25:33 Does Qin Ying know I'm using these?

4:25:34 No, I said I was keeping them for her.

4:25:36 It's okay, nobody knows.

4:25:52 But what if her boyfriend walks by and sees us with her flowers?

4:25:56 What are we going to tell him?

4:25:59 Just rewrap them, he'll never know.

4:26:03 Thanks for helping me with this.

4:26:04 I hope Nana likes them...

4:26:06 But wait...

4:26:07 what if we get caught?

4:26:09 Just blame it on me.

4:26:11 All right, all right...

4:26:13 It's our secret!

4:26:15 I'm still worried we'll get caught.

4:26:18 We won't, you idiot.

4:26:20 Oh god, here he comes!

4:26:22 Shit, now we're found out.

4:26:26 We're fucked, you found us out...

4:26:28 What?

4:26:29 We're were playing a little joke.

4:26:31 You know, for Valentine's Day.

4:26:33 You going home?

4:26:34 Yeah.

4:26:34 Hurry, take those home before they freeze.

4:26:37 Take the balloon, too.

4:26:42 Don't let your family see you with two bouquets, though.

4:26:46 They'll start to wonder.

4:26:49 Wonder about what?

4:26:50 I'll say I bought them for myself.

4:26:53 Don't you get it?

4:26:54 They'll think you've got an extra boyfriend.

4:26:55 You should have seen this guy trying to buy me flowers!

4:26:59 He walked into the most expensive shop.

4:27:03 He would have spent all his money if I hadn't stopped him.

4:27:08 When you give these to Nana...

4:27:10 I'll hide them behind my back!

4:27:14 Say I asked you to deliver them, and then...

4:27:16 Wait!

4:27:16 What if her parents are home?

4:27:18 That doesn't matter.

4:27:20 Just make me sound good...

4:27:25 Tell her I rode my bike for miles in the snow so I could buy her those flowers.

4:27:31 You can make up some sappy story, right?

4:27:33 And remember to act natural!

4:27:52 Let's go!

4:27:54 Zhang Nana's House Nana, it's me.

4:28:16 I don't want his flowers!

4:28:18 Go away, go away...

4:28:19 Oh, come on!

4:28:25 If I take his flowers, he'll think it means something.

4:28:28 No, he won't.

4:28:33 Yes, he will.

4:28:34 It's Valentine's Day.

4:28:40 It's freezing out here!

4:28:42 I won't let you back inside until you take them!

4:28:45 Come on, don't be rude.

4:28:47 Come on, I'm begging you!

4:28:50 Please?

4:28:58 Oh, all right.

4:28:59 Bye!

4:29:00 Maybe I could bring Bobo over to see you sometime?

4:29:04 We did it!

4:29:04 She took them.

4:29:05 Li Xu, age 17 I can't believe those flowers of Chi Ying's cost 50 yuan.

4:29:10 I bought my girlfriend a balloon for 3 yuan and she lost it.

4:29:14 I was so damn mad at her!

4:29:18 You bought her a balloon?

4:29:21 Yeah, we bought three balloons and we each gave one to our girlfriends.

4:29:27 But then Qin Ying lost hers.

4:29:29 I told her to tie it so she wouldn't lose it and then it flew away.

4:29:34 The idiot...

4:29:35 Mr.

4:29:36 Chi, proprietor of the Lucy Swan market Ducky, age 17 Just flew away...

4:29:43 So she lost the balloon, who cares?

4:29:43 Why keep talking about it?

4:29:44 At least you didn't lose your girlfriend!

4:29:49 That balloon cost me three yuan!

4:29:51 You'd be even madder if it cost you your girl, though.

4:29:53 I'm not so sure about that.

4:29:54 I was mad because I told her to tie it, and she didn't even listen.

4:30:01 I heard they're demolishing some houses.

4:30:03 Is yours one of them?

4:30:05 Yeah.

4:30:06 You live in that courtyard, right?

4:30:13 So I left the general manager a message

4:30:15 that this store is going to be torn down soon.

4:30:18 I said he'd better deal with it, or I'd come to his office and start trouble!

4:30:21 I also said that if they didn't deal with the unpaid

4:30:25 salaries I'd leave the store and ask for- what's it, something-pay?

4:30:32 Severance pay?

4:30:33 Right, severance pay.

4:30:34 They asked if I'd be willing to continue my contract.

4:30:38 I said it depended on the other store managers.

4:30:41 If everyone was asking for severance, I'd do the same.

4:30:45 Of if someone wanted to share the contract on the store,

4:30:51 that would be fine with me.

4:30:57 I could come up with the money.

4:31:01 Can I use the phone?

4:31:03 Sounds like you'd like to stay here.

4:31:06 Sure, I would if I could.

4:31:10 So later I get a call from the general

4:31:14 manager thanking me for agreeing to stay on.

4:31:22 He said that when the other managers heard I was continuing my contract,

4:31:28 they decided to stay and continue theirs.

4:31:32 So I helped him save all those contracts.

4:31:39 If he would have lost them, the whole company would have gone bankrupt!

4:31:44 They were four, five months behind in paying our salaries.

4:31:49 That was the situation.

4:31:52 Is it better now?

4:31:54 Hell, no.

4:31:57 We haven't gotten salaries in a while.

4:32:00 Looks like you'll have to pay yourself.

4:32:09 You leaving already?

4:32:10 Guess I should head home, too.

4:33:22 Rainbow Row A neighborhood funeral procession Two for me, two for you.

4:34:09 But that's only two cents!

4:34:13 You should give me morel 1,2,3,4,5,6, 7 cans.

4:34:22 You give me seven cents.

4:34:24 You owe me five cents!

4:34:25 Give me back those two cents.

4:34:27 Forget it, I'm not selling.

4:34:28 Let's go!

4:34:32 If you're not selling, give me back those two cents!

4:34:34 I'll sell for seven more cents.

4:34:37 Seven cans.

4:34:38 What do you mean, seven more?

4:34:41 I gave you 20 cents already.

4:34:43 Forget it, then.

4:34:46 I already gave you two!

4:34:51 Wait, okay, here's two more.

4:34:53 I don't want it!

4:34:54 I'm not selling...

4:34:56 You stole my two cents!

4:34:58 I didn't steal it.

4:34:59 You gave it to me!

4:35:03 I'll only sell them for seven more...

4:35:05 Forget it...

4:35:07 we're leaving.

4:35:10 We're not selling to you!

4:35:20 If you fucking touch one hair on my head, I'll kill you!

4:35:25 Fuck you!

4:35:26 Afraid to fight, you chicken?

4:35:35 Why don't you go home and suck your mom's dick?

4:35:39 I'll get you for that, you little shit!

4:35:42 Oh yeah?

4:35:43 Well, your mom shows me her panties!

4:35:44 Your mom's panties are uglier!

4:35:46 Come here, you bastard!

4:35:47 You big fat prick!

4:35:49 You shit-for-pants...

4:35:58 Where the fuck have you been?

4:35:59 I haven't seen you for days...

4:36:21 Tofu!

4:36:23 Tofu!

4:37:09 Bobo's house Bobo and his friend Whitey (age 17) What an awful Valentine's Day!

4:37:21 One with no flowers, another with no chocolates.

4:37:24 Things are tough all around.

4:37:26 What, Whitey didn't get any chocolate?

4:37:28 No, I was talking about my sister.

4:37:34 Don't eat all the chocolates!

4:37:35 We have to leave some for your mom.

4:37:37 Did you hear me?

4:37:39 Forget about it.

4:37:41 But we said we'd bring some to your mom!

4:37:42 I just want to sing an old love song Don't eat them all!

4:37:52 Leave some.

4:37:55 I can't believe you're going to eat them all.

4:38:00 They say the old love songs are the best- What?

4:38:12 Leave some for your mom.

4:38:13 Don't you two ever stop fighting?

4:38:15 Even for just a minute?

4:38:18 We're supposed to bring your mom some of those!

4:38:19 If you were standing up, it would be a fistfight!

4:38:23 And she's taller than you...

4:38:26 Don't you start with me, or I won't ever help you again!

4:38:34 What a pain you are.

4:38:35 Okay, no chocolates for you!

4:38:37 Oh, it never ends...

4:38:40 I can't forget this hatred...

4:38:53 Did you see that?

4:38:54 I kicked his head!

4:38:56 Kicked him?

4:38:56 Hell, you almost wrapped your ass around his head!

4:39:02 Help, she's killing me!

4:39:05 Say you're sorry!

4:39:06 I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

4:39:09 I can't believe you fucking kicked my head!

4:39:14 Want me to do it again?

4:39:15 If you can...

4:39:16 Okay, here I go!

4:39:19 Don't move.

4:39:20 Here I go...

4:39:21 Bet you can't do it.

4:39:23 Brace me, Yi Xiu!

4:39:24 You're going to get hurt...

4:39:28 Oh, fuck!

4:39:29 All right!

4:39:30 Come on, sexy!

4:39:37 She hurt herself.

4:39:40 Ow, my arm...

4:39:46 I shouldn't have wasted my chocolates on you.

4:39:49 Hey Whitey, your shoes are dirty.

4:39:56 There's ash on them or something.

4:40:12 Look at him go to work!

4:40:16 You know I'm a dreamer...

4:40:21 I can't believe the way you treat me.

4:40:23 Don't ever ask me for help again.

4:40:25 Am I right?

4:40:27 Stop nagging.

4:40:28 Who's nagging?

4:40:28 It's all your fault, picking my leg up like that...

4:40:47 She's ignoring you, Whitey.

4:40:56 Lost a little face there, eh, Whitey?

4:41:04 Hey, Lu Yao!

4:41:06 Wait a minute!

4:41:19 I want to ask you something!

4:41:23 Wait a minute...

4:41:32 Don't let her go!

4:41:38 This should be fun.

4:41:39 At least it's something different.

4:41:41 Guess she doesn't want you, Whitey.

4:41:45 And it seemed to be going so well...

4:41:47 Game over.

4:41:48 She doesn't like you.

4:41:58 I'll never speak her name again...

4:42:39 Watch where you're going, idiot!

4:42:54 How the hell did that happen?

4:42:55 I have no idea...

4:43:00 Did you see the way she fell?

4:43:16 Take it easy!

4:43:30 So this chick thinks she's as tall as me!

4:43:33 She thinks we're the same height!

4:43:36 It's hilarious...

4:43:38 She wears high heels.

4:43:44 Hey, let's get some beer...

4:43:50 Want to get some beer?

4:43:51 No, it's too far.

4:43:52 Or we could hang out somewhere else...

4:43:57 Want your bus pass back?

4:44:00 I'll give it back...

4:44:03 For a kiss.

4:44:05 Forget it!

4:44:07 Just one kiss?

4:44:16 Give up?

4:44:21 No way...fuck you!

4:44:24 Shit, you're strong!

4:44:27 Need some help?

4:44:29 Hey, what's going on here?

4:44:35 Look at all those legs!

4:44:38 Fuck you...

4:44:48 You're lucky I didn't jump in there.

4:44:51 I would have crushed you all.

4:44:53 Why'd you wake me up?

4:44:54 I was sleeping soundly...

4:45:18 I know a guy who bought some trucks last year and made some money from it.

4:45:23 They've got some trucks for sale at the rubber factory right now.

4:45:29 I went to take a look at them today.

4:45:33 You can hire them out for construction work.

4:45:39 They're 1990's, but they don't have papers.

4:45:45 They'd cost 60,000 if you bought them new.

4:45:51 My friend gets them from his nephew, who has connections in Beijing.

4:45:57 Are they big trucks?

4:45:59 Yeah, they're cargo trucks like the ones they use at the Three Gorges dam site.

4:46:04 He got 5 trucks for only 120,000.

4:46:09 They cost 20,000 each, plus another 20,000 to pay off the guy.

4:46:15 Only 120,000 for 5 cars?

4:46:16 And you can resell them for a higher price.

4:46:19 It's easy money.

4:46:21 We could buy some ourselves, make some money on the deal.

4:46:26 If we had the money to buy 5 trucks, we could easily make 20,000 on each.

4:46:48 This pen doesn't work.

4:46:51 Use another one, then.

4:47:00 Chinese Lantern Festival Late February, 2000- How many?

4:47:11 What?

4:47:12 How many firecrackers?

4:47:14 How many firecrackers?

4:48:21 What's wrong with you?

4:48:22 I just don't want to go, that's all.

4:48:26 You're afraid you're going to run into your ex-girlfriend, aren't you?

4:48:27 I don't want to see her, looking like this.

4:48:29 Oh, but you look good enough for me?

4:48:35 I don't care.

4:48:36 We're going!

4:48:37 Chi Ying says that if she runs into that girl, she's going to slap her face!

4:48:44 I will!

4:48:45 Really?

4:48:46 I'll slap her right now.

4:48:47 Let's call her up!

4:48:51 Are you getting this on film?

4:48:55 I'll call her right now!.

4:48:57 She's not home.

4:48:59 Who are you calling?

4:49:00 Meimei.

4:49:00 Why?

4:49:10 What are you going to say?

4:49:12 Meimei's going to freak out about this.

4:49:15 Nobody's answering.

4:49:17 2383-777- What's the number again?

4:49:21 2383-7777- You have money for the phone call?

4:49:24 No.

4:49:24 Then how can you call?

4:49:26 I can borrow some.

4:49:28 Sorry, no loans allowed!

4:49:33 Hey, don't break my phone!

4:49:35 She's nuts.

4:49:37 I wish you damn kids would stop hanging around here all the time.

4:49:42 Chi Ying's an idiot...

4:49:57 This card represents the girl you have a love-hate relationship with.

4:50:02 This one!

4:50:04 Don't bother reading fortunes.

4:50:06 It's hopeless.

4:50:10 Hey, you stay out of it!

4:50:26 She's the one who will stay loyal to you.

4:50:27 It must be her.

4:50:28 Do you really think so?

4:50:37 Now, among these four girls...

4:50:41 who would never abandon you, look after you in sickness or in health?

4:50:52 It's got to be her...

4:50:54 This is the big question!

4:50:57 That's her!

4:50:57 She's the one...

4:50:59 I was never good at writing things in school.

4:51:03 Perseverance always wins out.

4:51:07 Hey, what are you looking at?

4:51:11 What are these, chicken scratches?

4:51:12 You're looking at the wrong side...

4:51:13 What the hell is this?

4:51:16 It's just a first draft, you idiot.

4:51:20 I'm going to rewrite it tomorrow.

4:51:23 You people have no artistic sensibility...

4:51:26 Let me see your love letter!

4:51:28 You'll tear it.

4:51:29 No, I won't.

4:51:31 Why are you so embarrassed?

4:51:32 I'll let you see it later.

4:51:33 Let me see...

4:51:36 Let me see.

4:51:36 Don't be shy!

4:51:37 Don't tear it, okay?

4:51:38 I spent a long time on this letter.

4:51:43 It's a first-time love letter.

4:51:47 I wanted to find the perfect words.

4:51:51 Not so loud...

4:51:54 I've decided I can't give up on you.

4:51:57 This letter is to tell you my...what?

4:51:59 Innermost feelings, my innermost feelings.

4:52:01 I don't want to waste our time, or interfere with, with...

4:52:06 I can't read this.

4:52:08 With your studies Oh, he wrote the wrong character!

4:52:12 And it's been distracting me from my job.

4:52:15 If you don't answer this letter I promise I won't ever bother you again.

4:52:23 So don't worry.

4:52:24 I still care about you.

4:52:26 From the first time I saw you, I know I cared about you.

4:52:32 I go to your school sometimes, but I never call out to you.

4:52:35 Just seeing your face is enough to make me happy.

4:52:39 Maybe this is wishful thinking on my part, maybe this is all one...one...

4:52:42 Oh...one-sided love!

4:52:48 Well?

4:52:50 What do you think?

4:52:52 Your letter isn't half as good as mine.

4:52:53 In your dreams.

4:52:54 If you want, I'll give you- One of my letters to copy.

4:53:01 Asshole...

4:53:01 I mean it when I say that if you don't feel the same way,

4:53:07 there's nothing I can do to change that.

4:53:08 But I would be very grateful if you would consider me your friend,

4:53:14 just a regular friend.

4:53:19 You can talk to me about anything.

4:53:21 Please believe me...if you ever have a problem and want to talk,

4:53:27 just call my beeper.

4:53:30 Something, something...

4:53:31 and I'll be there.

4:53:35 I'll be your faithful listener.

4:53:38 I know you think I'm a bad person but you're wrong about me.

4:53:42 Maybe you don't understand me.

4:53:44 Maybe you don't want to.

4:53:45 But that's your own decision.

4:53:46 When you get this letter, I will be waiting for your answer.

4:53:51 Your brother has my beeper number.

4:53:52 So please call me soon...

4:53:56 His letter wasn't as good as mine.

4:53:57 Right, Shen Shen?

4:53:57 Yeah.

4:53:58 Is it good?

4:54:00 No.

4:54:01 I can't believe you're still chasing this girl!

4:54:03 Bye!

4:54:21 What day is today?

4:54:29 No, there's no hurry.

4:54:31 Finish what you have to do.

4:54:33 I'm at the Lucky Swan.

4:54:36 You know the number.

4:54:40 You going over to Liu Bo's later?

4:54:44 No, it's nothing important, really.

4:54:47 Okay, bye!

4:54:48 His voice sounded funny.

4:54:52 Kind of sounded like...

4:54:58 Someone's stuck in the mud over there!

4:55:00 I swear, I wrote it myself.

4:55:03 It sounds so fucking insincere!

4:55:06 What?

4:55:07 It's insincere.

4:55:10 It doesn't even sound like you.

4:55:12 You're trying too hard to sound intellectual.

4:55:14 We're all intellectuals here!

4:55:16 We are?

4:55:17 What's three plus five?

4:55:19 Um...

4:55:19 eight.

4:55:22 If you really wrote it, recite it for me.

4:55:26 I can't.

4:55:26 I forgot the words.

4:55:29 If you wrote it, you'd remember.

4:55:31 Intellectual, my ass.

4:55:32 You can't even add 3 and 5.

4:55:34 Quick, what's three plus five?

4:55:35 Eight!!

4:55:37 That letter was even worse than yours.

4:55:39 But the truth is that they're both...

4:55:41 pretty fucking shit.

4:55:42 There's no way he wrote it himself I

4:55:45 I'll bet you can't even spell half those words!

4:55:53 Got a call?

4:55:58 258681...

4:56:02 It's the repair shop.

4:56:08 You going over there?

4:56:16 What do you think?

4:56:20 Hey, don't tear it!

4:56:22 Admit it.

4:56:22 Who wrote it?

4:56:23 I did.

4:56:24 Tell us the truth!

4:56:25 I wrote it.

4:56:26 Looks like we'll have to use force.

4:56:28 I know who wrote it.

4:56:30 Shao Yuan.

4:56:31 How could he write something that bad?

4:56:34 You should have asked me to write it.

4:56:37 I'd help you.

4:56:38 Where are you going, Yong Chun?

4:56:41 Will you really write it for me?

4:56:43 Sure...

4:56:43 Tell her if she loves me to write it in a letter...

4:56:57 Want me to come with you?

4:56:59 You coming?

4:57:33 Luzi ("Donkey"), age 18 We come over, and you ignore us!

4:57:43 What are you doing, anyway?

4:57:49 See you later, Wang Zhen.

4:57:51 I'm going home.

4:57:56 Don't get yourself murdered on the way!

4:57:58 Fuck, same to you...

4:57:59 Then you could keep Anzi company, wherever he is.

4:58:07 Wang Zhen, age 18 Bobo, you're blocking the road.

4:58:16 Wang Zhen's mother You won't split firewood that way.

4:58:20 It's too hard.

4:58:29 Home already, Mr.

4:58:31 Wang?

4:58:32 You should move your bike out of the way.

4:58:34 Why don't you move yours instead?

4:58:37 Wang Zhen's father That firewood is split too small.

4:58:58 What are you looking for?

4:58:59 These logs split better.

4:59:09 Where did you wash your hair?

4:59:12 At home.

4:59:16 You'll never break firewood like that...

4:59:28 Watch your step there...

4:59:33 Wang Zhen's house Wang Zhen's grandmother Wang Zhen

5:00:08 en Leizi I think I found a job today.

5:00:16 It's not a sure thing, though.

5:00:18 What kind of job?

5:00:20 Moving medical equipment.

5:00:22 They haven't said if they'll hire me.

5:00:25 If so, it's a three month contract.

5:00:30 What's it pay?

5:00:31 450 a month?

5:00:32 Yeah, about 450.

5:00:36 Bet there's no room for advancement.

5:00:38 What room for advancement?

5:00:42 I mean it won't teach you anything.

5:00:45 What's to learn?

5:00:47 Well, if you became an apprentice or a master or something,

5:00:51 you could make more money.

5:00:55 What are you doing for work?

5:01:05 Beating people up.

5:01:07 Mostly mafia types, you know.

5:01:14 There was this guy at a sauna, in one of those private rooms.

5:01:18 They rent them out for 50 yuan an hour, or something...

5:01:23 Anyway, the guy pulls me into the room and starts beating me,

5:01:31 tries to make me kowtow.

5:01:35 But the big boss sees it, and gives me the signal.

5:01:41 One of our guys slips outside, and comes back with a big iron bar.

5:01:49 We all start bashing the guy.

5:01:54 After that, his crew starts trailing me everywhere I go, for about a week.

5:02:02 My boss at work found out about it and helped me smooth things over,

5:02:11 like he did that time with the TV set.

5:02:20 That one cost me about 14,000.

5:02:24 Put me even deeper in the hole.

5:02:27 We had pretty rough fights back then.

5:02:29 Did you ever see the photos we took?

5:02:32 There was blood all over the walls, blood splattered everywhere...

5:02:42 I was brawling almost every day, for a while there.

5:03:24 I guess they're at the market.

5:03:25 You think?

5:03:26 I don't know.

5:03:28 But they're definitely not home.

5:03:30 Go find him for me, will you?

5:03:33 Ren Huan, age 17 I don't want to go over there.

5:03:42 Just tell him I want to see him.

5:03:44 He'll know what you mean.

5:04:01 Ren Huan's house Shit...the dog hasn't been fed all day.

5:04:28 Beat that, ha!

5:04:32 How many cards did you have left?

5:04:42 Why so nervous?

5:04:43 It's just a card game.

5:04:56 The thing about Leizi is you can't believe a word that kid says.