Up the Yangtze

00:32:28:02 Most of the tourists are French this time.

00:32:29:2

I first traveled to China a few years ago with my grandfather.

As a child, he used to tell me stories

about the mythical Yangtze river.

I believed that somehow

I would get to see the China that he remembered.

Instead we found a brand new country being created.

I'm heading upriver on a luxury cruise boat

towards the Three Gorges Dam,

the largest hydro-electric project in the world.

Already the area has undergone massive flooding.

Imagine the Grand Canyon being turned into a Great Lake.

An estimated two million people will be relocated

when the dam is finished.

They call these cruises 'The Farewell Tours'.

People want to wave goodbye before it all disappears.

The first stop on the tour is Fengdu.

It's known as the Ghost City

because your soul must come here

to pass through the Gates of Hell to be reborn.

Most of the residents have moved across the Yangtze

because the Ghost City will soon be flooded.

I used to work in the...

in the old city as a coolie.

I used a pushcart to carry luggage

from the boats that docked next to the shore.

After the old city moved across the river,

they took down your old house,

no matter who you were.

I had to find a place on my own

so I built a hut next to the shore.

Right here where no one lives I can plant some vegetables.

There are dots on this one.

That doesn't look so good. Let's move on.

I think my family is living a pretty good life.

I think the downside would be that

the house we're living in is not in very good condition.

But the good side is that we have good food.

Because I know that many of my classmates don't eat as well as we do.

I want to go to high school after middle school.

High school?

Where's the money for that?

Many of my classmates are going to high school.

Now we're in a socialist society that demands knowledge.

We need to go to high school.

Besides, the country needs well-educated talent.

So middle school is not enough.

It's not that I don't want you to go.

Because if you go alone,

do we just forget about your little brother and sister?

It's better if you go and earn some money.

Then you can afford to go later.

How can I make that much money?

We'll see then, if you can't make that much...

Good evening everyone.

Welcome aboard our ship, the Victoria Queen.

Good evening everyone.

Welcome!

And my name is Ernie Kemm,

and the gentleman who is doing the translating for me

answers to the name of Campbell Hur.

Or you can choose to call me Campbell Soup or Ben Hur.

Either one.

Ok. I know a joke.

It's just a joke about what's going on in China.

There's American leader and Chinese leader.

They're sitting on the back seat of their limousine.

And they're driving on the road of life.

Then there comes a crossroads:

On the left it says Socialism.

And then go on the right, it says Capitalism.

The American leader says, "Oh, let's go right."

But the Chinese leader says,

"Ok, let's also turn right." "But let's turn on the left indicator."

That is what is going on in China.

But people don't really care.

As one famous Chinese leader said,

"The colour of a cat doesn't matter."

"No matter if it's black or white,"

"as long as this cat" "can catch rats or mice,"

"it's a good cat."

Chairman Mao Zedong was so inspired to dam The Three Gorges,

he composed this poem after swimming across the Yangtze:

A bridge will fly to span the north and south,

Turning a deep chasm into a thoroughfare;

Walls of stone will stand upstream to the west

To hold back Wushan's clouds and rain

Till a smooth lake rises in the narrow gorges.

The mountain goddess if she is still there

Will marvel at a world so changed.

The water will soon rise when the Three Gorges Dam closes.

I'm really worried.

But even if my heart worries, there is nothing I can do.

The Three Gorges Dam is a national project, not private.

The higher level of government distributes the money.

But when the money trickles down through the hands of people,

like corrupt officials, it just disappears.

My father was a minor village official for the old government,

so after liberation he was labeled a counter-revolutionary.

Which means it was a bad background, anti-revolution.

Our farm collective persecuted my family

so we fled my hometown.

My mom starved to death in the Great Famine of the 1960s.

It was like this during Chairman Mao's time.

Before I think my dream was to go to university

and be a scientist.

But now I think it's impossible.

I'd say maybe let Yu Shui go to work.

I think that's what she should do.

We can't make enough money for her to study.

How can she go to school when she only scored 400 points?

She can only go to work.

Let her go to work first...

Of course I'm worried that

if we let her go study then we'll be short of money.

But if we don't she may blame us later.

When the water rises and the Three Gorges gate closes,

where can you farm?

You can't even have a life.

She'll be fine working on the boat.

Some of her classmates are working on the Fengdu boats.

The Chinese believe that success is defined by five key influences:

fate, luck, environment, virtue and education.

You can't change your fate

but you can predict your luck.

By improving your character, environment, and skills

you may have a better chance at success.

I've been told countless stories of peasants becoming millionaires.

Hello?

If you have nothing to do, Chen Bo Yu is leaving.

Come and join us.

The mood's not right!

Let's go to Wild Cat to dance.

Don't be like this, Lingering in my mind,

You'll find out how lonely I am.

In my dreams, I've kissed you a thousand times...

When the boat managers came to our school,

they told me they hired me

because I have two advantages:

First I'm good-looking, and second I'm good at English.

I am ambitious.

I'm never satisfied with what I have.

I don't want a flat and tasteless life.

Tonight is about having fun.

Tomorrow will be about my career.

Career is the top priority!

When I come back in the New Year,

I guarantee you guys more fun than you can handle!

In my opinion you are still students.

Whenever you have difficulties in your life,

As your buddy I can help you with the money I earned.

give me a shout.

Soon I'll be earning my own money.

I'll have more than you guys.

Let's fill it up.

Drink up to show that we share the same passions, right?

Okay, brothers forever!

Life long brothers! Forever.

Whoa, what the fuck?

Remember when you leave to listen and obey.

Otherwise it's no good.

Go get me some more rice.

Go get it for your father.

C'mon, be quick. Be good.

Mom, can you see me off?

See you off? There's no need.

You know your way.

Besides, you're a grown-up now.

You're a middle school graduate.

I don't read.

I might take you to the wrong boat.

You're not a real mother! It's not worth it!

Stubborn temper!

Come and collect the plates!

It's your responsibility! Hurry up!

You're having too much fun. It's your turn to clean.

Remember to clean the table later. Remember that.

You know that our family is poor. You can't compare us to others.

You understand the situation, no?

We don't even have anything to eat. How can we afford to rent a house?

I know you don't want your parents to suffer.

Your hard work will pay off.

I know it's because your father and I don't have the skills

that we have to exploit you.

If we had a choice, how could we do this to you?

You know your father isn't educated. He can't read.

Whatever clothing you need, buy a little bit.

The rest of the money send back to your parents.

We'll put it aside.

In your daily life, eat well.

Don't save money on that, okay?

When you spend money on food, don't worry about us too much.

I'm going to give you an English name.

We'll call you Cindy.

What's your name?

Chen Bo Yu.

What's your English name?

Jerry. Here's Jerry.

Cindy