YELLOW EARTH
Based on Ke Lan's ECHO in the Deep Valley
Scenario by Zhang Ziliang
In September, 1937, the need for unified resistance to the Japanese...
...by the Communists and the Kuomintang...
...forced Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang goverment...
...to recognize the communist Shaanxi-Gansun-Ningxia border region
However, the people of Northern Shaanxi Province...
...still suffered heavily because of the Kuomintang local government
Artists of the Communist Eighth Route Army came to collect folks songs
In this ancient place...
...the melody of Xintianyou hangs in the air throughout the year.
Early spring. 1939
Life is hard for seasonal workers.
They're hired in January, dismissed in October.
Scatter the grain. Scatter the bran.
The bride descends from the sedan-chair.
The new couple will live in harmony all their lives.
Kneel.
Kowtow three times.
May your son be a trader. May your daughter be nimble-fingered.
Everyone, this soldier has come from Yan'an to collect songs.
I'm Gu Qing. Call me Lao Gu.
Please sit down.
You must buy good liquor.
To treat both kith and kin.
Treat your friends fairly.
Eat with ivory chopsticks.
Use the silver flask and golden cups.
Four dishes grace the table.
Drink from big bowls at the wedding.
He sings well.
Yes, but he's fated to be poor.
He's over thirty, still a bachelor. He just sings bitter songs.
�The fish!
They're made of wood... just to give the idea of fish.
This is the bride.
This is the groom.
She is the daughter of Shuanniu.
Pay your respects.
Pairs of carp swim in the stream.
Pairs of goats skip on the hill.
Pairs of pigs share the same trough.
The new couple will have a happy life.
The ice on the Yellow River will not melt in June.
When I start to sing the truth, my heart feels like bursting.
Of the fine grains, the pea is the roundest.
Among human beings, a girl's life is the most pitiable.
Pity the poor girls, the poor girls.
Pairs of pigeons fly in the sky.
I miss my mother.
Sister.
Hanhan, you're home so late.
My good brother, waiting for me.
Talk things over; I must be going.
I hope I won't cause you too much trouble.
How old are you?
Born in the Year of the Dragon. I'm 47
What is your name?
Cuiqiao
And your name?
I've come here from the south to collect folk songs.
The Eighth Route Army will sing these songs wherever it goes.
Can you sing, Uncle?
Can you sing, Cuiqiao?
They say a girl who lives here sings very well.
Do you know her, Uncle?
I saw a wedding today at Lin Village.
The bride was the ninth daughter of Shuanniu.
She's so young.
Not really; her father says she'll de fourteen in June.
She's more than a child.
Uncle, it's different in the south.
Don't they marry?
Yes, but they sing a new song.
The sheep and goats walk separately. If you want a partner, choose your own.
- What does that mean? - They look for their own in-laws.
No matchmaker? No betrothal gifts?
What does that add up to?
The girls must be worthless, if they can just get up and go with a man.
They aren't worthless...
...but they're not for sale.
The world must change. The south has changed.
North China must change, too.
We farmers have our own rules.
Why are you still working the bellows? Firewood is valuable.
Heat water, so the officer can wash his feet and go to bed.
How old are you?
I'll do it.
My brother Hanhan can't talk properly. He looks after the sheep.
Please wash.
I'm Gu Qing. Call me Brother Gu.
- Do you get water from a well? - No, from the river.
- Is that far away? - Only three miles.
The water's not hot.
Pairs of pigeons fly high in the sky.
I miss my mother.
The gourds in the valley and the melons on the hill.
I don't want to sing that I was beaten.
In the embroidered purse is a round coin.
Suffering is for ever, sweetness is short.
The handsome cockerel crows on the window sill.
But to whom can I speak of my bitterness and hardships?
You were singing last night, weren't you?
Who said so?
How about this sewing?
That's pretty good. Can men sew, too?
It's nothing. In our army, women work in the fields and fight the Japanese.
They look smart with their short hair.
No one can read or write here. The wind ripped the paper; I'm sticking it back.
I put them up last years, they were redder then.
If you like good luck words, I'll write a couplet for you.
Good, but I haven't any red paper.
Anyway, we can't read, and our door frame isn't worth it.
So men can sew...
It's too swallow.
Have you only two children?
Tree; the oldest girl is married.
You arranged it?
Their mother died young; I must care for them.
- Is she happy? - She was at first.
Why?
She could eat enough at her in-laws. She didn't like it later.
She had nothing to eat there.
Is that the only reason? Maybe they didn't love each other.
"You have friends if you have meat and wine. Married love depends on grain."
No grain, no love.
She came here and said her husband had beaten her.
She said she wouldn't go back, no matter what
What happened then?
I told her it's said:
"If a boy gets married, it's happiness. If a girl gets married, it's sadness"
You can't go back on your word.
Even if you have to beg for food...
...you should still both grow from the same root.
You won't always have an empty belly. You may be rich one day. Who knows?
Uncle, can you tell me why your daughter is suffering?
It's fate.
What about Cuiqiao? What about her future?
What are you talking about?
It's cloudy, but it doesn't rain.
Maybe there will be a drought and the harvest will fail.
The grain is sprouting, we need rain.
You youngsters don't know, but the grain is never wasted.
You tread the yellow earth, you plough.
You must respect it.
Millet harvested two years ago. Please eat.
Father, try them on.
Your mother made better ones.
Last night, what was it you said you were collecting?
Folk songs.
They're just bitter songs.
Uncle, do you sing?
I'm not happy and not sad. Why should I sing now?
There are so many songs. How can you remember them all?
When life becomes hard, you remember.
Why do you collect bitter songs?
To put new words to them.
Soldiers of Cuiqiao's age will sing them wherever they go.
People will know why they are suffering...
...why women are beaten...
...and why workers and peasants should rise up.
When our army hears them, they'll fight the rich and the Japanese even more bravely.
Chairman Mao and Commander-in-Chief Zhu like folk songs.
Chaiman Mao also asked us...
...to learn to read and write, boys and girls in Yan'an all learn to write.
He wants the poor to be able to eat properly.
She didn't even say goodbye to us.
Barefoot is best.
Is it true that girls in the south learn to write?
The ducks are in the lake, the geese are on the wild mountain.
The comrade living with us does not know that I like to sing.
I'd like to say what is on my mind, but I don't know how.
My mother wants to sell me off, but she won't ask how I feel.
I want a good husband, not a bed-wetter.
You wet the bed, and so do I.
So let's drench the bed.
Aha, let's drench the bed.
Next spring, the flowers will blossom everywhere.
The frog underneath the bed is croaking.
Let's flood the palace of the Dragon King - the Water King.
He'll laugh in delight and say we're of the same trade.
Aha, we're of the same trade.
Sing after me.
With sickle, hammer and pick.
We make the new road.
With sickle, hammer and pick, we make the new road for the poor.
Our methods will achieve so much. It's the communists who save people.
Your future in-laws came to fix things and brought some new clothes.
They say the wedding will be in Abril.
Your mother can rest easy at last.
Once I beat you about this marriage.
All girls must be married.
I think your fate will be better than your sister's.
Your husband-to-be is a good man, only a little older.
But I think that's good.
He seems serious and honest.
Anyway, you've been betrothed since you were a child.
Your dowry was used for your mother's funeral and your brother's betrothal.
Qiao!
You're back?
- What's wrong? - Nothing. I'm sewing.
There's food in the pot. Have some.
My brother's stupid, isn't he?
No, he just doesn't like talking; that keeps his head clear.
- Have you any women soldiers? - Lots.
Even those who can't sing? What about those who do sing?
We need them badly
Is Yan'an far away?
About 200 miles.
So far.
- Why do you ask? - I just wondered.
We've got water, why don't you wash now?
I'll wash in the Yellow River tomorrow.
Why? We've plenty of water.
I'm leaving tomorrow.
Where are you going?
I've been away for months, I must get back.
No more collecting songs?
Or helping father plough?
Or teaching my brother to sing?
I put my expenses on the brick bed.
I hope it's enough to buy you some cotton print to make a jacket.
I have one.
Please eat.
I've been a burden; thank you for your kindness.
I'll come and see you when I have time.
I believe you. Maybe you will have time, maybe you won't.
You found no happy songs here: they will dismiss you when you go back.
I've learned a lot.
It is the month of January
Your eyes are wide and clear.
Your eyebrows are like two crescent bows.
This news will make you sad.
Betrothed at thirteen.
Married at fourteen.
Widowed at fifteen.
She cried so loudly, all could hear.
She wept, then killed herself.
Hanhan, go back.
I won't leave. Let's go back.
Take me with you.
I packed my things, but i didn't bring them; it'll be easier without them.
What has happened?
I can wash and cook. I don't care if I must cut my hair.
What's wrong? Is it hard?
Our rule is that you must wait to be approved if you want to be a soldier.
Can't the rule be changed?
We depend on rules for our cause.
I'll tell my leader...
...that a girl named Cuiqiao wants to join us.
When he agrees. I'll come for you.
Can you come in April?
I promise.
I trust you.
Brother Gu, has my brother given you the cakes? Taste them.
Find company on the way, so you won't be lonely.
Drink from the river, stay with the poor at night.
Take out your notebook, Brother Gu.
A handsome cockerel in the middle of the courtyard.
The communists sent a man who was free.
When you choose a horse, they're not always the same height.
The comrades are the best people.
If I can join the army.
I can make red shoes, so you don't have to wear straw sandals.
I can make thread with 2 ounces of cotton.
I'm afraid I shall not see you again.
One person doesn't know another's worries.
In the darkness of my days I dream you will come back.
I hear the comrade's footsteps.
I try to look out of the window, but...
If you send a water-lily across the river it will never sink.
All my life I will never forget you.
A tree can take root if planted on a dry stone.
When will we poor people be able to live a new live?
The sun goes behind a cloud.
My mouth cannot utter what is in my heart.
The best compost cannot save parched seedlings.
Nobody can save me, poor Cuiqiao.
YAN'AN
Send your sons to the army and smash the Japanese aggressors!
Sister, aren't you going to look for Brother Gu?
No, not Brother Gu.
I'm crossing the river to look for the Eighth Route Army.
I'm leaving.
Look after father, he is getting old.
Cook for yourself. Remember to fetch wood for the stove.
When summer comes, wear the vest I gave you; it's under the mat on the brick bed.
Choose a wife for yourself.
Give the things father and mother gave me back to father.
Tell him it's none of his concern if I leave.
If he misses me, he should look at this and then he'll be looking at Cuiqiao.
These buckets of water are for father.
When I come back... I'll look after him.
Go now, father is waiting for the water.
Don't cross the river.
Why not walk to Yan'an?
Wait for the ferryman to take you tomorrow.
Hanhan, I'm suffering, I can't wait any longer.
When Brother Gu comes...
...give these to him.
I know, but keep it.
Use the oar. Be careful.
Tell Brother Gu that Cuiqiao is going to be a soldier.
Hanhan, go home.
With sickle, hammer and pick.
We make the new road for the poor.
Our methods will achieve so much.
It's the communists who...
Sister!
Uncle...Hanhan...
Cuiqiao.
My Lord Dragon King...
...the grasslands to the south are parched.
The grasslands to the north are also parched.
Please give us a little rain.
My Lord Dragon King...
...have you fetched water from the sea? No, not yet.
Dragon King of the Sea, please send rain and save our people.
Brother Gu!
Save our people!
The cockerel has flown over the wall. It's the communists who save people.
The Youth Unit of the Guangxi Film Studio.
Directed by Chen Kaige. Photographed by Zhang Yimou. Art director, He Qun.
Music by Zhao Jiping. Sound by Lin Lin. Location adviser, Zhong Ling.
Assistant director Tan Yijian. Editing by Wan Liu and Pei Xiaonan.
Lighting by Zhang Shubin. Costumes by Tian Geng and Chen Bona.
Make-up by He Hong. Properties by Zhang Jianyang and Jiao Zhigang.
Production manager, Xue Fei. Sound re-recorded by Liu Quanye.
Leading players
Cuiqiao: Xue Bai, Gu Qing: Wang Xueqi, Father: Tan Tuo, Hanhan: Liu Qiang
The Orchestra and Traditional Music Ensemble of the Xi'an Academy of Music.
Conducted by Lui Dadong, Lu Rirong. Soloist Feng Jianxue.
Special thanks to the Peasant Drum Team of Anzhai County.