Floating City (浮城)

They called us "Dànjiā"

We lived in narrow boats

My baby!

According to folklore

when disaster happens at sea

the devil will substitute one life...

for another

You're Bo

from Sham Kei Wan?

Yes, from Sham Kei Wan's boat shelter

Here he is

Be careful

I told you he looks different!

Let's forget it

You just had a miscarriage

who knows if you'll ever get pregnant again?

Someone has to help with the boat

Don't look back if you have to sell your baby,

it'll only lead to tears

My mother lived and found a substitute for her baby

But a Chinese boy with blue eyes and a single ear ring

were more than she bargained for

This is our story

Tai!

Hurry up

Fion will be here any minute

I said it's time. Hurry up

Coming

- Hi Wayne - Hi

Do you like ice-cream?

- Yes - You do?

- There you go - Thanks

How come you are not dressed yet?

Nothing seems to fit

Where's your velvet jacket?

Hi. Dear

Hi, Lilian

Auntie

I brought some ice cream

help yourself, ok?

Ok

Try this one

Could you get my shoes out?

Can you tell him I don't want to go tonight?

Again?

All right, stay with the kids

We need to clear out the left over in the fridge anyway

Put these on

Don't worry about it. I'll hold the fort at home

Time to go

We've got to go

Bye

You're doing it again

Welcome, Mr. Bo

We've heard so much about the first Chinese "Taipan"

of the Imperial East India Company

It's a pleasure

Thank you, Mr. Tsang. The pleasure's all mine

This must be Mrs. Bo?

My wife is ill and couldn't make it. This is Miss Fion Wong

Miss Wong?

Miss Wong, am I right.. you are ...

You guessed right

Nice to meet you

Your father will be here too

The Governor just came into office

and looks forward to meet the city's elites

You're among friends tonight

Thank you

Thank you!

Nice to meet you. Cheers!

You finally made it. Congratulations!

Thanks, Cheers!

Cheers!

Hey, Red-head! You look like a half breed anyhow

Who am I?

Tai wouldn't fall asleep

without me by her side

But I wouldn't want to go to bed, if she were still awake

Today's a happy occasion

If mother were still alive.

she'd tell us to bring out the wine glasses and celebrate

But we can't just slip back

into the past

It can only be revived in heaven

I am back!

You must know your fish!

Hey, 'Mixed'. Why do you look so different?

Did you get pickled in salt water?

How am I different?

We look like this

you look like this parrot-fish!

Come to think of it

my cousin was the first to comment

on my visual nature

Father, did I get pickled in salt water?

What?

Why do I look like a parrot-fish?

Aunt Ten! Come here!

What?

What rubbish did you tell the kids?

Come here! I told you to watch your mouth

but you had to shoot it off!

Go back

Go back

Get the chicken!

Why? Are we celebrating?

Every time I asked this question

my mother would simply cook a chicken

If I persisted

she'd slap me!

They said we were carrots and peas

One day

we'd get married

A storm's brewing. You're still going out to sea?

We have no food left

My mother said we'd get married soon

But I don't have the money

Do you have any fish?

There's fish all around us

Then you're rich!

'Mixed', my mother said

your mother isn't your mother

No, your mother isn't your mother!

Your father isn't your father, either

Get lost!

Your father is a balloon. Your mother is a buffoon

Mother, she said you're not my mother

and father isn't my father

Who told you that?

Cousin

Can you ever keep your big mouth shut?

We'll marry as soon as I come back

There's no escape!

If they didn't set sail that evening

my cousin would've been lynched

I watched their boat disappear

into the horizon

Us boat people are lucky,

we've seen all the beautiful sunsets in the world.

They never came back

Chuen

Chuen

The priest said she didn't die

Her family merely went to heaven

We'd all end up there

but some needed to make an early departure

while others had to wait longer

They lived in our hearts

They'd jump when we jumped

and laugh when we laughed

They'd always be with us

If she'd gone to heaven

then where was I?

A few years later

we were baptized

The priest said

I could now look forward to asking her

all about heaven and earth

For you

Thank you

What does it say?

God's eternity

Do you want to learn to write?

I can arrange it

Who doesn't want to go ashore to study?

Nonsense!

We have to take care of our boat

Ever since I knew the Lord

I was always full of gratitude

Whenever father closed a door an me

the Lord would open a window to let me through

What are you looking at?

My cousin has gone ashore, she now works in a factory

I want to collect leftover from the foreign ships

We need the extra money

Why not go on shore?

On shore?

Mother said I'm too stupid to leave the sea

The priest told me to go to school

But you're the eldest

you will inherit your family's boat anyway

I can earn more money

then I'll buy you a pair of gold ear rings

Those ear rings

meant for my cousin

were now...

...Tai's

Fire, water, mountain, sea,

wind, rain, cow, lamp, dog...

Why aren't you at school?

I quit!

Can you write your own name?

"Dànjiā"-people have names, don't they?

Can't you speak...

Father

'Mixed' can't come anymore

The other parents don't want him

Gradually,

I entered the rebellious age