Cyclo (Xich lo) (Xích lô)

My son, our family owes a lot to the cyclo taxi.

We work hard, day and night.

Eating and sleeping in the street. Pedalling all the time.

Some mornings, the backaches

nail you to the bed.

I don't know where it all leads.

This has been my life.

When I die, I'll have nothing to leave you.

If you can, see if you can find

something more worthy.

You're late!

Look again and see if I'm right.

"The People's Committee makes loans

"in line with the policy

"of fighting poverty. "

Where is it? Show me!

How old are you?

Eighteen.

Parents' occupation?

We're very poor.

Answer me, your parents?

My mother died in childbirth.

My father too, an accident...

How did he die?

A truck... he died instantly, with two passengers.

At Hang Xanh intersection, right?

Yes.

Who's left?

My grandfather, my sisters.

They study in the morning and work in the afternoon.

What do they do?

The eldest delivers water to the market, the little one shines shoes.

And your grandfather?

He repairs tires.

Who rents you the cyclo taxi?

The boss lady in Cholon.

Her name?

I don't know

How much per day?

5,000 dongs.

And the deposit?

200,000 dongs.

Okay, we'll consider your file.

We'll let you know.

Yes.

These days it hurts

when I piss. What about you?

Me too. It burns.

You've got to drink, it helps.

It makes you sweat, wears you out.

A doctor warned me, take anything to build muscles,

you end up impotent.

Yeah, right! Who can afford a doctor?

Better to see a butcher.

Shoe shine, sir, shoe shine?

You free, kid?

Cyclo!

Number 8, Le Loi Street.

How dare you steal our clients?

It's her...

This is our turf. If you want to live, get lost!

Beat it, you're on our turf!

Yes, you're my little fish.

So, how much?

It's a good day. 26,000.

5,000 for you, 21,000 for me.

No problem?

The thugs took a passenger from me.

Careful, each turf has its gang.

You hungry?

Want to eat?

Wash him, give him something to eat.

Go with him.

He was born that way, he must be your age.

Take care of your tooth.

You see, I told you.

Okay, that's enough, get out.

Come on Grandpa, it's late.

Yes, let's go home.

Bring tobacco for grandfather.

Is your shoulder better?

It gets worse every day.

Do you have any balm left?

Hardly any.

I'll bring some back for you.

Grandfather, take the scale

they sent us by mistake

and change jobs, it'll be easier.

See how it's done.

Someone comes, you wipe.

You invite him to try, 1000 dongs per person.

We shouldn't. The scale isn't ours.

Yes we can, we've waited long enough.

No one has claimed it.

Your shoulder's hurting.

You can't keep pumping tires.

Let's wait awhile.

On the old riverbanks. Leaves and flowers fade.

The sun dies, icy, shuddering.

Hesitant, I cross the hamlet.

My childhood, I remember you.

I remember your graceful silhouette.

You gazed at me, radiant, tender.

I remember the sun was setting.

On your ivory cheeks your rippling hair.

Put him to bed.

Tomorrow, I'll come see if you're dead or not.

Get up, little brother.

Go wash up!

If I, the Heron, die by boiling.

May it be in clear water.

To ease my children's suffering.

Follow them!

And not a word to anyone.

Bom has a fan made of palm leaves.

The Rich Man says, I'll trade you.

Three cows and nine buffalo.

I don't want your buffalo.

I'll give you

a pond full of fish.

I don't want your fish.

I'll give you

a raft of precious wood.

I don't want your wood.

I'll give you

a bird...

Tomorrow, come to the icehouse.

I'll tell you what to do.

Go now and be discreet.

What's the matter?

Who is it?

Why?

He stole my cyclo.

Don't be stupid, he works for the boss lady.

Let's go!

Wait here!

Don't go out.

Except to eat

and don't lock the door.

Close your mouth, it stinks.

Do you have any money?

No!

We stayed up all night again.

Let's go to sleep.

Can I sleep here?

Another time.

I don't want to do it.

I came

because you wanted me to.

I called, no one answered.

Can I come in?

Don't touch her.

It's her first time.

Would you like to pee?

You want to piss?

Peepee, you get it?

Understand?

Go on, pee!

Drink... go on, drink!

Drink and pee.

Pee, please!

Drink again!

Again, drink up!

That's enough! Piss!

And do it standing up!

I brought you two friends.

People are singing your praises.

You're a Samaritan.

You tried to save a drowning man?

The boss is happy.

She sent you this reward.

Damn, you're disgusting.

She wants to see you, for another job.

What? What did you say?

I don't dare.

I didn't ask your opinion!

You dare refuse?

What does he want? Say it again!

Open your mouth!

Open it!

This is a taste.

Next time it'll be straight.

Sabotage!

250 tons of mouldy rice.

Do you know who did it?

Imagine yourself in the headlines?

That's a life sentence!

Nameless river.

I was born sobbing.

Blue sky, vast earth.

Black stream water.

I grow with the months, the years.

With no one to watch over me.

Nameless is man.

Nameless is the river.

Colorless the flower.

Perfume.

Without a voice.

O, river! O, passer-by!

In the closed cycle.