Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles (千里走单骑)

For unexplainable reasons…

...my son Ken-ichi and I have been estranged for 10 years.

There is a profound chasm between us...

...which hurts me deeply.

I want us to be close again.

I have learned that…

...Ken-ichi is in the hospital.

His wife, Rie, has asked me to visit him.

She has suggested to me…

...that it would be an opportunity...

...for Ken-ichi and I to speak to each other...

...and to improve our relationship.

Hence I have come to Tokyo.

You must be surprised at the changes...

...in Tokyo over the past 10 years.

Ken-ichi has been unwell for a while.

He's suffering from stomach pain.

It often disturbs him at night.

He hasn't been diagnosed yet.

Excuse me.

Give me a moment.

I'll tell Ken-ichi you're here.

He doesn't know that you've come.

Father is here to see you.

Why don't you let him in?

He's come a long way to see you.

Why should I see him?

Who asked him to come?

Did you?

I never said I wanted to see him.

Please don't talk like this.

Enough, I don't want to see him.

Father.

Please wait.

Father…

...he's sick and in great pain.

Don't take his words to heart.

Forgive him.

Let me talk to him.

This tape…

...was made by Ken-ichi in China.

It was broadcast as part of a TV special.

Please have a look at his work.

Make sure you watch it.

Please.

Mr. Takata, it's ready.

Thank you. Would you like a drink?

No, thank you.

I have another appointment.

- Do you know how to use a VCR? - Yes.

Let me introduce an expert in Oriental folk arts:

Mr. Ken-ichi Takata.

He is widely published on the subject.

We have some footage, shot by Mr. Ken-ichi, of a mask opera.

This opera originates from Yunnan Province.

This is Mr. Ken-ichi Takata...

...from the faculty of Oriental Folk Arts at the University of Tokyo.

- He's here to see you perform. - Thank you.

This is Mr. Li Jiamin. He's our lead singer.

This is amazing. You are incredible.

- He says you are incredible. - I could be better. I have a cold today.

Come back and I'll perform Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.

I'm not familiar with this particular opera.

It's a mask opera about Lord Guan.

Oh, I see...

The Lord Guan from the story, Romance of the Three Kingdoms?

He actually knows who Lord Guan is.

Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles is the greatest of all mask operas.

I'm the greatest singer of it.

Then this is a rare chance. Can't you sing a little for me now?

My voice is not up to it today.

Ken-ichi is leaving China tonight.

Then some other time.

It's a deal.

I'll come back to Yunnan next year.

I promise you an unforgettable performance.

How's the catch today?

Nothing much.

This is Takata.

Father…

...I've been calling and calling.

Have you been fishing?

I've received Ken-ichi's diagnosis.

Cancer of the liver.

It is terminal.

I haven't told Ken-ichi yet.

I don't think I have the courage.

He thinks…

...he will be discharged soon.

I've always hoped in my heart...

...that our family could enjoy a meal together...

...Father...

...Ken-ichi...

...and I.

Now I'm not sure…

...that's going to happen.

I need to find…

...the singer Mr. Li Jiamin.

I don't know what is out there…

...and I'm not good at dealing with people.

However…

...I feel compelled to go.

I need to do something for my dying son.

Mr. Takata.

Do you want to rest in Kunming or go to Lijiang immediately?

Lijiang, immediately.

Fine.

LIJIANG

Rie?

It's me.

I'm at Lijiang…

...in Yunnan Province, China.

Yunnan?

What are you doing there?

I'm filming Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.

You want to film it…

...for Ken-ichi?

Actually…

...I gave you that tape...

...so you could learn more about him.

Father…

...please come back.

No.

The travel agency has arranged everything.

Please don't be worried about me.

Just don't tell Ken-ichi…

...what I'm planning.

Please.

LI VILLAGE

Mr. Takata, this is Lingo. He's a village tour guide.

He speaks a little Japanese.

Lingo. Remember Ken-ichi was here last year?

He promised to film the mask opera.

This is his father.

So you're Ken-ichi's father.

His father.

Ken-ichi is my friend.

He's a very good friend.

- Lingo, how is everything going? - Just a second.

- Are you Li Jiamin? - No.

Lingo, I told you we only wanted Li.

It doesn't have to be Li. Other actors can also play Lord Guan.

No way. Mr. Takata only wants Li Jiamin.

If he insists on Li...

- ...there will be no show today. - Why not?

Look, Li enjoys a drink or two, which is usually fine.

Then, during a rehearsal, a stagehand mentioned...

...he had a bastard son.

This upset him so much…

...that he grabbed a wooden dagger...

...and stabbed the guy in the face.

He was arrested...

...and sentenced to three years in prison.

Please tell him…

...it doesn't have to be Li Jiamin performing.

All the actors are very good.

Once the mask is on…

...it doesn't matter who is behind it.

No one can tell the difference.

Even a native can't tell the difference between the voices.

So how could a Japanese person?

Does it really have to be Li?

His son wanted to film Li.

He is making this film for his son. No one else will do.

But Li Jiamin is in prison…

...for three years.

Even if he behaves well and becomes a model prisoner...

...he won't be released for a year or two.

Takata should come back. There will be other chances.

The show is always playing.

Jasmine…

...please help me.

Mr. Takata, this is not about money.

I'm in a difficult position.

I'm just a tour guide.

How can I get a foreigner…

...permission to film inside a prison?

It is impossible.

Please help me.

I really want to help.

But this is beyond my ability…

...and my job description.

Please forgive me.

My contract is only for three days.

I've been assigned other jobs.

I'll see you off at Kunming Airport.

I'm sorry.

Jasmine, please ask your boss...

...if I could employ another interpreter.

Hi, boss. This is Jasmine.

That Japanese tourist, Mr. Takata, who arrived two days ago...

...is asking for a new interpreter.

Mr. Takata…

...my boss cannot help with your plan to film inside the prison.

He also says he doesn't have another interpreter available.

Please forget about this idea.

Mr. Takata.

Is that actor, Mr. Li, so important to your film?

Excuse me.

Please turn around.