Black Snow (Ben ming nian) (本命年)

Beijing Film Academy Youth Film Studio

BLACK SNOW

Based on the story by Liu Heng

Screenplay Liu Heng

Starring Jiang Wen as Li Huiquan

Cheng Lin as Zhao Yaqiu

Cinematography Xiao Feng

Art Director Li Yongxin

Sound Recording Wu Ling

Li Zhanwen

Director Xie Fei

Who's there? Quanzi?

Yes, it's me.

- Auntie Lou, it's me. - You scared me.

I thought you wouldn't be back till after Spring Festival.

I got out sooner than expected.

The Government has been easy on you.

That's the way things go.

No one's lived here for over a year. Tidy it up, would you?

I've already had breakfast, thanks.

Light the stove. Come and take some coal if you need it.

Thanks, I'll come and see you soon.

Number 30... Who is number 30?

Number 30?

- How much? - 1,000 yuan.

- What's your name? - Li Huiquan.

Oh, no. Wu Guizhi. That's my mother's name.

Hey, where's Bai Liben?

Bai Liben? Which one...?

The one who does the buying.

Oh, you mean "Skinny"? He died in a motorcycle accident.

- When? - A year ago. Stolen bike, too.

Our factory has been closed for eight months.

The authorities said it went bankrupt.

Everyone gets 40% of their salary.

That's barely enough for breakfast.

This isn't a good time for you to have come back.

Your mother was an honest person, one in a million. Then, suddenly... gone.

Your mother worked here most of her life.

You taking over when she retired wasn't an easy thing.

Aunt Fang, I'm Quanzi!

- Quanzi? - I'm out. I came to see you.

I was wondering who you were. Xiao Wu, we have a visitor.

- Sit down. - OK.

Aunt, these are for you.

How's Uncle?

What can I do for you?

Me? Oh, nothing. I mean, now I don't have a job.

Since I have lots of time, if you have any work, just call me.

It's good that you're out, but you should look after yourself first.

We don't need any outsider's help.

Chazi was sentenced to life.

He still has brothers here at home.

We don't consider him as family any more.

Just forget about him and get on with your own life.

Do you have any of his letter? I'd like... his address.

- I'll get it for you. - No!

Well, I'll be off then.

- There's no hurry. - No, it's OK.

Take your gifts with you.

Quan! Quan!

My dad said you're out of work. Keep them.

Fuck off!

Here's my brother's address.

- What class are you in? - Year 10.

- Do you miss your brother? - Not really.

He broke the law. What he did was terrible.

Piss off.

Hey, Quan!

What's up?

My brother's calling you.

Quanzi, hurry up!

See that girl?

She's cheating on me.

- I want to teach her a lesson. - OK, let's do it.

My hair's natural. A girl should be naturally beautiful.

And your eyebrows?

They're just like that naturally.

- You like them? - Of course.

What do you want?

Chazi, let go of me!

You bastard.

- What are you doing? - Let go of me.

We broke up ages ago. Why are you still chasing after me?

Let me go! No, no... Bastard!

Hurry up!

Zhuzhu!

Bastard!

Murder, help!

I thought you'd got asphyxiated from the fumes.

- What's up? Drink too much? - No, I didn't.

No? So what's with all the broken dishes?

You've been reported.

Why did you drink so much? Showing off?

Pay up! Pay for it like a man.

- How much? - If you had a job, I'd ask for 200 yuan.

Aunt Luo put in a good word for you.

Three dishes and two cups. 7.60 yuan in total.

Smarten up. Just out of jail and you're already in trouble.

- Your change. 2.40 yuan. - Forget it. Just give it to them.

Nonsense, I've already paid it for you.

Here's a receipt. 28 fen. I still owe you 12 fen.

Keep it.

Here, take half a pack of cigarettes.

All settled.

- Join me. - What were you inside for?

- Fighting. - Fighting?

Let me give you a light.

Still want to fight?

Just come and fight me whenever you want.

Think you can take me on?

What's there to laugh about? Be on your best behaviour.

From now on, report to the police station every month. OK?

You always say "yeah", then forget it. Remember to report.

I'm going.

- Stay and have some tea. - No, I'm busy.

Don't drink too much.

If you feel bored, just buy a book to read.

Come to the office tomorrow.

That's your trader's licence.

- Thank you. - Don't mention it.

Try your best. These are hard to come by.

The Year of the Dragon is here.

Dragon years are full of change.

- What are you thinking? - What does fate hold for this year?

- Mum. - Yes, I'm coming.

- Mum, come out, hurry! - Coming.

Mum, here he is.

- I hear you've got a PhD. - I haven't finished it yet.

We're going to see the ice lanterns in Harbin.

Come in and sit down.

- Quanzi's back. - A couple of weeks now.

Let's go and see him.

- You go in first. - Let's go inside.

Quanzi!

- He was just here. - Where has he gone?

Maybe he's gone out.

Mum, is Quanzi all right?

He was well behaved inside.

Mum, his parents are pressuring us into getting married.

Then why don't you?

I'd like to wait until he finishes his studies.

Why? You're 24.

This is your zodiac year, the Year of the Dragon.

It's a lucky time for you to get married.

- Hey, Quanzi! - What is it, Xiaofen?

- Look, I'm wearing a red belt. - What's that for?

My mum said it would bring good luck.

- That's just superstitious - My mum said it's my zodiac year.

- Red will ward off this year's bad luck. - Is that true?

Aren't you 12 years old? It's your year too.

You should wear a red one too. Go and ask your mum.

Really?

The Year of the Dragon is here!

Chazi,

Happy New Year...

I'm a free man.

Are you OK?

You must be working pretty hard.

Beijing is not too cold.

It must be freezing in Qinghai.

Skinny killed himself on a motorbike.

For three years I've been thinking that girl wasn't worth it.

Your parents are fine.

I've found a job. I start in the New Year.

No one looking over your shoulder. I like it that way.

You should work hard, think less, speak less

and make more friends.

People like us have nothing to fear if we have friends.

Goodbye, write to me.

I'm going to bed.

You're new here.

Hey, do you want a cigarette?

Don't have a stall yet? That sucks.

Give me one.

- Kind of late, isn't it? - The late film hasn't finished yet.

30 fen.

Just starting, aren't you?

Trendy clothes are the way to go.

General goods don't make money.

They're no good for business.

Trainers! Trainers!

Nike trainers!

- How much? - Very cheap.

Been fishing again?

Come here and have some fish.

He's back.

Quanzi, there's a letter for you.

Thank you, Auntie.

- I want to speak to you for a moment. - What is it? Tell me know.

Hey, just tell him, why don't you?

Officer Zhao has found a girl for you.

- I asked him to. - I don't need a girlfriend.

You have to go and meet her this time.

Maybe some other time.

There's no need to be shy.

You're already 24. Think about it.

With your mother gone,

I'm responsible for these things.

OK, maybe later.