King of Peking (京城之王)

Let me tell you a story kiddo.

There were two folks named Wong.

One senior, one junior.

They were movie people.

But not your typical movie people.

They were a team.

Like partners from old Westerns.

Lots of people talked about the Wongs back then.

They even made a movie about them two.

I forget the name.

It had one of those silly, grand titles.

When was that now?

Late last century.

But I remember the picture opened with a curtain.

I guess all movies did back then.

A bit higher.

Right there.

Hold on!

Stop!

Catch a Hollywood movie for a dollar!

This Sunday only! Just one buck!

Hollywood blockbuster for a buck! This Sunday only!

A buck!

A Hollywood movie for a buck! Gentlemen, come see this flick!

- Where? - The kindergarten!

Tonight only, a Hollywood movie for a buck!

Sir, wanna see a rip roaring, nail biting blockbuster for a buck?

Huh?

Never mind.

Riggs, prep the chairs.

Who's Riggs?

It's a game we play. Seen any '80s Hollywood movies?

Nope. - Lethal Weapon . Look it up.

You two, peg the bottoms! It's gonna get windy.

Little Wong! Get a cord.

Louder.

Add more bass. Good.

Right there.

Homework? - Nah, I'm building a volcano for fun.

You got skills. When I was your age, I was still counting my toes.

How much longer?

About ten minutes.

Buy your tickets!

Find your seats. Film starts in five!

Miss today and you'll have to wait till next month!

Listen up! Don't even think about sneaking in!

See my son? He's watching you like a hawk!

Next batch of popcorn's ready!

Hey.

This movie came out ages ago.

Don't watch it then.

Why would I want to?

I got the video at home.

Nutter.

Two minutes to show time. Radio silence. - Roger that.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

Seven.

Six.

Five.

Four.

Three. Two.

One!

Keep an eye out. Tell me when the first explosion happens.

I'll change reels.

What's this? Following me now?

Our son working here is child labour. - It's not child labour if he's not paid.

You said he wouldn't work for you. - You said I'd raise him since you can't.

You call this raising? - Enough. I'm just screening a film.

It's not like I beat him. You come all this way to bust my balls?

I don't want it.

I don't want it! Dad, it exploded.

Too early. It happens later.

No, it really exploded.

Turn on the hose, idiot! - Where?

Out of the way!

Hey, movie man. Give us a refund.

Right? - Yep.

Come on. You all had fun.

Why ruin the evening by talking money?

Can it be fixed?

Sure it can.

The Soviets build these like their tanks. Couldn't break it if I tried.

Your mum say anything I should know about?

She said you're a selfish pig.

Besides that. - She wants me to live with her.

You want that? - No.

You can be honest with me.

If I change my mind I'll notify you.

Notify me?

The Age of Innocence ?

Good call! That was a tough one.

Hey, what're you doing? That's school property, don't touch.

Now get to class.

Wake up. Don't want to be late. - I have appendicitis and chicken pox.

Nonsense.

- We didn't even go home. - You'll go home after school.

- Let's make a deal. - No deals.

I'll go to class if you take me to the fun park.

Win a Nobel Prize and I'll take you. Fair?

Big Wong, remember to buy school books.

He's two weeks late. - Got it.

They say in an argument, the one with a lawyer always wins.

Wong Senior had to read the letter three times to understand it.

It was an ultimatum.

Give up custody, or pay ten grand a month in spousal support.

Old Liu! How you been?

Got a sec?

I don't have any money. - Anyone owe you?

That's beside the point. What did I tell you?

You shouldn't have made the kid work. - He's a natural.

Better than me. Earns cash just as fast.

Yeah, cash you have to fork over.

You that dumb? How long could you keep paying her?

A month tops? Then she'll have the kid and your cash.

And you'll have nothing.

75!

Number 75!

Is number 75 here?

- Loan amount? - Ten thousand to start.

- Purpose of loan? - Spousal support.

- Bring your documents? - Yes.

- Damn, ten grand. - How much you earn?

He's a movie man. - Movie men are rich.

No, he just screens them. - We're not a charity. He's dreaming.

She's giving you an out. Weekly visits aren't bad.

My cousin has it worse. - Got a lawyer?

With what money? - Give up.

Cheaper too. - No choice really. Tragic.

Same as my cousin, exactly the same.

Hello, is this Dongdan cinema?

May I ask if you're hiring?

Huh? Janitor?

I'm a projectionist.

I want to recommend a projectionist. He's a genius.

Name's Wong. Wong as in "king".

But I've got a PhD in cinema from Leningrad.

The school dean's right here. He'll vouch for me.

Professor Sputnik speaking.

Robin Hood ? - Nope. Think the distant future.

What is it? - 2001: A Space Odyssey .

Closing up? - Wait! I saved a pancake for the kid.

Thanks auntie. - You're welcome.

Homework done? - Almost!

One times four is four, carry the five...

Is Guard Wen here? I called about a job yesterday.

Over there.

What's the janitor's pay?

300 a month. Minus a 100 finder's fee.

Finder's fee? - Everyone here pays it.

Don't worry, I'll accept the fee on the cinema's behalf.

So, you in or out?

You'll be the one living on site.

It's underground? - You gotta look at it differently.

Stand upright, then it's underground.

But stand upside-down and it's upstairs.

Kinda creepy.

True. Our last janitor lived down there 17 years until he died.

Guess the song yet? - Nope.

No running around, got that?

I promised the boss we'd keep quiet.

Come in and out through the garage.

Got it? What's that look for?

This is Riggs and Murtaugh's secret headquarters.

Other kids want in, but can't.

Come here.

See that?

First time I saw one of these, films were still black and white.

I was about your age. I thought Italy and France were all black and white.

Who knew they lived in colour.

This place is pretty good, huh? It's like a palace.

Done your homework?

The Lone Ranger ? - Not bad.

You're their janitor now?

Do these look like janitor's hands?

I'm a projectionist. Always was, always will be.

Tomorrow I'll screen them a classic.

What? - Smokey and the Bandit .

Which one? - All three.

No way. - Better believe it.

Word spread that I work here now.

Sold so many tickets they had to turn people away.

Hurry up Riggs! We got a job to do!

- Don't miss the reel change today. - Huh?

Smokey and the Bandit . - Not a chance.

Pay attention in class!

Hey.

How much you earn?

300. - 300!

Minus the finder's fee.

Finder's fee? Our last usher got 400.

She must be more qualified.

She's in middle school.

Instant noodles, spam, beef jerky!

Who said you could spit pips on the floor?

Instant noodles, spam, beef jerky!

Wong Senior took a hard look at the maths.

He'd never afford those payments.

He'd have to let the kid go.