The Empty Hands (空手道)

Onecool Film Production Limited

HK Film Production Limited

Toba Production Limited

Golden Scene Company Limited

Novus Capital (HK) Limited Present

Executive Producer: Chapman To

Associate Producer: Winnie Tsang

an HK Film Production Limited production

Hey, Mute Dog

500,

600,

700,

800,

now scram!

"$2,850"

You're only here as a punching bag,

do you really think you're the street champ?

Go back to teaching kids

"Street Champ"

"Hirakawa"

"The Fist and Zen are One"

999 What's your emergency?

Hello?

Sir, calm down

Please don't yell

If you are a mute, just make a sound

ls there anyone nearby?

If yes, please get them on the phone

Hello...?

The writer Lu Xun once said,

When I am silent, I feel replete

As I open my mouth to speak, I am conscious of emptiness

My dad is Japanese

His name was Akira Hirakawa

His company transferred him to Hong Kong in 1972

To be the manager of the kitchenware department at Daimaru

"Akira Hirakawa"

Then he met Ho Lai Mui

My mom

Besides working at Daimaru

He also taught Karate at Victoria Park after work

Back then Hong Kong was a place with people of all kinds,

and knowing martial arts was helpful

Maybe there weren't many Japanese people teaching Karate in Hong Kong

Dad had so many pupils that he decided to quit his job

And teach Karate full time

He spent all his savings on a 1,200sqft flat in Wanchai

The living and dining room became the dojo

So we ate and slept in the bedroom

When I grew up, dad slept in the hallway

I remember going back home every day after school

And hearing a group of stinky men exclaiming 'Osh, Osh Osh'.

It was really annoying!

I'm Mari Hirakawa

My dad gave me that name

Silent contemplation

Alright

Salute!

Salute each other!

"Chan Kent"

Seiyunchin

I hated Karate

But dad said I wasn't afraid of pain, and had a natural born talent

So he forced me to start training

Maybe he thought that I enjoyed it

I was planning to stop after achieving the brown belt

Black belt comes after brown belt

And it was really hard to achieve

I remember there was a time when he entered me into a competition without my consent

And I lost the competition

I'm never practicing Karate again!

I haven't touched Karate since then

During the financial crisis in 1989, my uncle asked mom for a loan

Mom asked dad to mortgage the dojo

But dad refused to do so

My uncle ended up committing suicide

After that, mom left us

That's what I can remember

I became lonelier after mom left

I didn't have any other friends besides Peggy

How did we remain such good friends?

I like her coz she's dumb

All boobs, no brains! She won't do any harm to me

...He isn't trying to be brave by being like this

It's because this is what's normal

Just admit that you want to give it your all

You wanna dive into the fiery pit that is love

Remember, I'm your musical lover, Calvin

- You're so horny! - Let me squeeze you!

- Let me squeeze you! - Let me squeeze you!

I have a black belt in Karate

Started competing when I was 10, and was the champion of the Youth section

I've wanted to become a security guard since I was a kid

I want to safeguard Hong Kong, and the voices of its people

I promise that nobody will get hurt in the parking lot once I start working here

Sounds good, where's your black belt?

"Hirakawa"

Awesome! You start tomorrow

You can call me 'Bulldog' from now on

It is now 2:08 am

We have the next caller on the line

This is your Music Lover Calvin, what's your name?

Is it my turn?

Hi

- Off work? - Yes

Must've been a long day

Are you new?

Yes, I'm Mari Hirakawa, I'm Japanese

Do you mind opening the gate for me?

Sure!

"When our motherland is well, we are well"

"When we are well, our motherland is well"

"If I do not love the motherland"

"The sun will explode!"

"When we are well, our motherland is well"

"When the motherland is well, we are well"

"If the motherland does not love me"

Why don't we ever go into your room?

That bed is not mine

I'm gonna leave

Don't leave so early, she gets off class at 3

Sleep a while longer

You really remembered!

Of course I did. They match

Happy Anniversary!

Thank you

Why didn't you use that money so that we can go on a holiday together?

I can get you this watch, and go on a holiday with you

Have you been to the Maldives?

Nope

I haven't been either

I heard it's sinking

Then...I'll do some planning

I promise that I won't go with anyone else

I'll only go with you

Really?

You're so good to me

Little dummy

I better leave soon

I'm having dinner with her tonight, can't be with you

It's alright, I'll eat with my dad

I'll see you at work tomorrow

Okay, I love you

I love you too

She has an ad hoc meeting,

why don't you come eat with me?

Dad, I have to head out, have dinner by yourself!

Over the next few years, my relationship with my father deteriorated even further

We always fought over Calvin

I didn't think I was wrong

I'm confident that he'll choose me one day

My father didn't agree

But I never listened to him

Because I know that nobody can make my decisions for me

Even if I lost in the end, it was still my own choice

Then he had health problems,

and not many people showed up at the dojo

His favourite student Little Piggy stopped coming too

Most of the teaching was done by Mute Dog

Last week, he fainted at home

And never woke up

When he fainted, I was at Calvin's place

THE EMPTY HANDS

Starring: Stephy Tang

Starring: Chapman To Yasuaki Kurata Stephen Au

Guest Appearance: Dada Chan

Produced by: Chapman To Tang Wai But

Written by: Chapman To Erica Li

Director of Photography: Tam Wai Kai (HKSC) Gaffer: Ko Wing Chai

Production and Costume Designer: Irving Cheung@

Edited by: Allen Leung

Original Music by: Veronica Lee

Action Co-ordinators: Chapman To Stephen Au Tommy Leung

Jack Wong Ryouichi lshijima Billy Lui

Line Producer: Aaron Lai Production Manager: Candy Ng

Directed by Chapman To

My dad is dead,

when would you come out and see me?

Ramen with cheese sauce

Mute Dog

Your zodiac sign is a pig right?

Wow, then you must be over 50

Time flies, I've been at the dojo for 20 years

Even the kids classes are empty,

and the Indian kid never pays his fees

I'm planning to close the dojo down

"Calvin: Can't talk"

I'm going first, take your time

You're getting old, rest up

Thank you!

Lucky that you're here, I sprained my ankle

You're welcome

Oh, you're here?

Why are there still students here?

Have they paid their dues?

He can finish this month's training

Why are you on the ground?

Are you okay?

I'm okay

What's your future plan?