Two Stage Sisters (舞台姐妹)

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

- Go way. - Move.

Catch her...

There is no escape for you.

There she is. Hurry up.

- Where is she? - This way.

Be careful!!

This way, She ran this way!

What's going on?

Probably the child bride again. Don't pay any attention.

- Let's continue. - You can't walk away after winning.

Why search for the child-bride here?

We're not officers; we can't help you.

Go back to your mother-in-law.

No! I won't!

Dad...

Let me stay with you.

I'm willing to do anything.

Boss, look...

Master Xing, you are experienced.

How can we keep her?

If we take her, how can we return here to perform?

Get lost, move.

- Dad! - Go! I'll take you home.

Hold on!

You're too soft-hearted.

Calm down. Listen to me!

Look at her. She is smart, She can learn from us.

Look, her eyes can talk.

Her figure's not bad. She's talented!

Fine.

Ah Xin's soft-hearted.

Let me be clear.

Master Xing, will you be responsible for her?

Yes. I am responsible.

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... - Move away.

- Safe journey home. - Out of the way.

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...

You may stop.

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.

Wait...

Master Xing... We have a reputation to maintain.

I can't get you out of this.

Don't go! Wait.

Master Xing.

Every actress has to deal with this.

What kind of man are you?

Fine. Fine.

- Get the one playing the male role. - Yes sir.

Stop!

- What is it? - Let's go inside.

Go away! Run!!

Say something!

Our boss only wants Xing Yuehong.

Let go!

The police are grabbing people.

Fuck off.

Master.

Sister Chun!

Little Xiang, help the Master on board.

Yuehong, go quick!

Don't worry, captain.

- I'll bring her to you later. - Move away.

Arrest her!

Go quick!

Go!

In compliance with the gentry request,

female actors are banned...

to maintain public morality.

Praised by the people.

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 borrow more...

and smooth things over for you.

Chunhua.

Chunhua...

Sister Chun...

- Hurry up! - Get lost.

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...

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.

Remember...

Master

Dad...

"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. - Boss.

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.

Uncle...

What will they do if we leave them?

Let's stay in the country to perform.

Uncle...

Xing...

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!

Thanks.

OK, I'll try them out.

- I'll see how the audience reacts. - OK.

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”

Chunhua, get on stage.

Get ready.

I gave my heart to the bright moon.

But who knew the bright moon... was but a reflection in the gutter?

Good. Nice.

What a performance.

My tears are like the waters of the Xiang River, flowing without end.

Yan Laizhen! I curse your beauty!