The Scent of Green Papaya (Mùi đu đủ xanh)

Who's there?

It's Mui.

Ah, Mui...

I'll open the door.

You can come in.

Follow me.

THE SMELL OF THE GREEN PAPAYA

It's little Mui, our new servant girl.

Poor thing, she walked a whole day to get here.

If To was still alive, they'd be the same age.

Let's not talk about that...

Perhaps she's better off where she is now.

It's the curfew soon and Trung isn't back yet.

Mother's going to bed.

I'll go up and help her.

Ah, Trung...

Aren't you in bed yet, father?

Go back to sleep. The mistress said so.

I'll wake you to make the fire.

Remember... For this dish, the oil has to be hot.

Fry the vegetable.

Burn it for flavour.

Not too much or it gets all soft.

Then you put it aside.

You do the same with the meat.

Put that in the water.

Fat make the boiled vegetable shine. It looks nicer.

Whether it looks nice or not, we eat it.

But the masters are different.

Once it's cooked...

Then share it between 2 plates.

Don't forget to keep some for us.

There, grandmother has finished her prayers.

Put the vegetables in the water.

Whose mother is she?

The master's. Wash your hands.

She lost her husband just after the master was born.

Now, she spends all her time praying.

Quick, put some rice in a big bowl.

Is it all ready?

Yes, it's ready.

Mui, take grandmother's tray.

It's alright, I'll take it.

Take this one then.

Father, I'm eating out with Khuyen.

Have your nap as usual.

We'll be back for tea.

And me, can l?

No, you're too little.

Mui, go and get some more soup.

Mother would like you to keep her company during meals.

I'm going up too!

Take this upstairs.

Eat up. You're going to be late.

No classes now, grandmother. It's summer holidays.

Ah yes, that's right...

We're going, mum.

Khuyen and l will be back for tea.

Alright, I'll buy cakes.

Good-bye, madam.

Good-bye.

Mui, you can eat now.

Lam, eat up, dear.

Enjoy the meal, mum.

Here's your bowl. Eat.

There's no soup left. What a nuisance.

Upstairs or downstairs, we spread it out and have none left.

After, wash the dishes.

Who was that man with Mr Trung?

That's Mr Khuyen, Mr Trung's friend. Eat up.

Tin!

Thank you. Good-bye.

Good-bye.

Mui, wash your hands and go to buy 10 cakes.

In 3 months, you'll go home to visit your mother.

Thank you, madam.

Mui, hurry up. It's almost time to light the fire.

Little girl...

Your name?

I'm called Mui.

I see... You're Mui...

My name is Thuan.

It's almost time for prayers.

Is grandmother well?

Yes, she's well.

That's very good then!

Very good!

Thank you, little Mui. Good-bye...

Good-bye, Mr Thuan.

Where are you going?

For some fresh air.

Yes, in this heat, it's hard to sleep.

Watch out for the curfew.

What heat...

My God, what heat...

It's alright...

You can put your things away tomorrow.

You've worked enough today.

Get some rest.

Where are your parents?

Do you have brothers or sisters?

My father died three years ago.

My mother and my sister are still in my village.

Will you go to see them soon?

The mistress said in three months, I'll see my mother again.

That's good. The mistress is kind.

Before, who slept on this bed?

A servant like you and me.

She went home to get married.

Is the photo on the altar the grandmother's husband?

Yes.

When he died, he was still young.

Who's the little girl?

It's a sad story.

She was the masters' daughter.

Her name was To.

She died seven years ago.

If she was still alive, you'd be the same age.

How did she die?

A disease.

But the master thinks it's his fault.

Why?

Seven years ago,

the master left the house with all the family's money.

It was the third time he'd done that.

Before, when he'd spent it all, he came back.

But that time, he was away longer than usual.

But the other times, when he came back,

she didn't say anything?

Nothing. Not a single word.

She was happy. She cried for joy.

What about To then?

The curfew...

There, a little fresh air. The master must be back by now.

Three weeks after he left,

To fell ill.

And the day before he returned, she died.

He must have thought she died

to atone for the sins he had committed.

That's why he never leaves the house anymore.

Right, let's sleep...

Tomorrow, we have to be up early.

Mother...

Mother...

Mother...

Get up. It's time.

You're lucky.

At your age, you still have sweet dreams.

What did you dream about?

I don't know...

My God... I'd like to dream.

But I haven't dreamed for ages. Let's go and wash.

Some mornings,

I wake up with the image of an old woman in my mind.

Perhaps it's because I dreamed at night.

But I don't know if the old woman is my mother

or if she's me.

My God, who's in the kitchen this early?

Mistress, are you already up?

Any rice left?

Just enough for 4 or 5 days.

This is for the market.

Make sure there's enough to eat for a few days.

See these earrings?

The master has left with all the money again. My God!

Let's go and clean our teeth,

wash our faces, hands and feet.