Two Stage Sisters

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TWO STAGE SISTERS

Screenplay:
Lin Gu, Xu Jin, Xie Jin

Director:
Xie Jin

Cinematography:
Zhou Daming, Chen Zhenxiang

Starring:
Xie Fang as Chunhua

Cao Yingdi as Yuehong

Green waters wind...

around the mountains.

There's opera singing...

on stages everywhere.

On stage, both tragic...

and happy figures are seen.

Who knows what's beyond the stage...

can understand the stage.

The Year 1935

Catch her!

I saw her running south!

Here. Hurry! Chase her!

What are you doing?

She ran this way!

What's the matter?

Probably the child bride again.

Don't pay any attention.

Why search for the child-bride here?

We're not a charity;

we can't help you.

Go back to your mother-in-law.

No! I won't!

Let me stay with you.

I'm willing to do anything.

Boss, look...

Master Xing, you are a local.

How can we keep her?

Don't we want to return here to perform?

Go! I'll take you home.

Go home!

- Hold on!

You're too soft-hearted.

Calm down. Listen to me!

Look at her. This child is smart enough

to leave the mountains.

Look, her eyes can talk.

Her figure's not bad.

She's excellent material!

OK.

Ah Xin's soft-hearted.

Let me be clear.

Master Xing, will you be responsible

for her?

Yes. I will.

This is my daughter Yuehong.

OK? What's your name?

Zhu Chunhua.

Come. Sign here.

Pay attention. The contract is very clear.

We aren't responsible for

your health or funeral.

Three years of apprenticeship,

four years of singing. Understand?

Hurry. Or we won't perform tonight!

Made up like this,

no one will recognize you.

- She's Miss Ding.

- I sing Little Painted Face

At the study door,

a branch of plum blossoms.

In the trees,

hundreds of birds fight.

Happy magpies fill the trees singing.

They come and go...

on the branches.

In front of the door,

pairs of happy magpies.

Announce that good fortune has arrived.

The happy magpies announce

good fortune is here.

And wish for your...

safe journey home.

Let us dock.

You sing beautifully.

I found some good business!

Third Master Ni wants you

to sing at his house.

Chunhua, Yuehong, quick,

put on your makeup.

Come on, hurry!

I see him... wearing

a gold and purple cap.

In his left ear he wears a small gold earring.

I see she is a beauty...

from a humble home,

clever and quick.

Though skilled with a brush,

it's hard to paint her face.

On his chest hangs a dragon

and phoenix lock.

In his right hand he holds a gold

kingfisher fan.

Third Master Ni says you must be tired,

and to return home.

Yuehong stays behind to get paid.

Come on, the sedan chair awaits the lady.

Please thank Third Master Ni,

but Xing Yuehong must refuse.

We share everything.

I can't get you out of this.

Don't go! Master Xing.

Every actress has to deal with this.

What kind of man are you?

Fine. Fine.

Get the one playing the male role.

Stop!

What is it?

Let's go inside.

Go away!

Say something!

Our boss only wants Xing Yuehong.

Let go!

The police are grabbing people.

Sister Chun!

Little Xiang, help the Master on board.

Yuehong, go quick!

Don't worry, captain.

I'll bring her to you later.

Arrest her!

In compliance with the gentry request,

female actors are banned...

to maintain public morality.

The actress Zhu Chunhua

has violated the law...

and has disturbed the peace...

attacking and injuring a policeman.

Justice will be served.

In the judgment of the court

the penalty is...

three days public punishment

for Zhu Chunhua.

This all the money my daughter

and I have.

OK. I'll go apologize...

and smooth things over for you.

Hurry up! We're leaving.

Will you be back?

This is your home.

It's my mother-in-law's home.

What's your name?

My name is Chunhua.

Chunhua! The boat is leaving!

Year after year is hard...

year after year they sing.

Homeless everywhere...

everywhere is home

As long as the river waters...

forever flow.

Traveling the world...

following the flowing waters

"The Queen of Shaoxing Opera, Shang Shuihua,

to Perform in Shanghai"

You must lead pure and stainless lives.

You must be serious actresses.

So many...

"Funeral expenses payable within

three years"

Uncle Ah Xin,

how do we repay the money?

Don't worry. At worst,

you'll sell your bodies

to pay for your father's burial.

But you won't have to.

The money I lent you

is your salary for the next three years.

It's really a rare opportunity!

You are to perform in Shanghai.

Are we going to Shanghai?

You also want to go?

Shanghai is a dazzling place.

Its avenues are paved with gold.

But the manager of the Shanghai Opera

is only looking for one male player

and one female player.

What will they do

if we leave them?

Let's stay in the country to perform.

We've come to see you off.

Please eat some sweet dumplings.

Sorrows and joys, partings

and meetings are to be shared.

A journey of thousands of

miles in all directions.

Sisters through thick and thin...

make an offering together.

The bitter melon and the bitter leaf...

have the same root.

The Year 1941

I'm looking for Manager Tang.

You are the female role

and you are the male role.

Am I right?

Manager Tang,

you have sharp eyes!

OK, I'll try them out.

I'll see how the audience reacts.

Come thank Manager Tang.

"Due to illness, Miss Shang Shuihua

will not perform tonight"

"We appreciate your patience

and understanding"

"Newcomers Zhu Chunhua

and Xing Yuehong will perform tonight"

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