Beijing 1920s
Ling ZiFeng
First Scene:
Rickshaw was too heavy and as XiangZi removed the boxes, soldiers stole the main
characters rickshaw and goods. He saw a camel
Second scene:
He pulls 3 camels in the desert. Changing horizons indicate a long travel. XiangZi
meets a villager and asks for water. He helps the peasant carry the water as his
gratitude. He says hes from the west, and sees the peasant raising camels.
Times have changed, who can afford to raise more camels, but he sells the 3 camels
for 35$.
3rd Scene:
City: buys clothes from street vendors. Street vendors are littered all over the street.
He gets a haircut. Sees someone that says its been a long time. He sees someone
rendering rickshaw services
4th scene:
Eats with Boss Liu & HuNiu (rickshaw leasing business)? Hes been gone a long
time. Theyre seen eating a lot. 2 peasants try to not pay the rickshaw rent, a dime
short. He gave Boss 30$ to keep. 10% interest other people 25%. He wants to save
up and buy a rickshaw with cash. But for now rents one.
5th scene
Colleagues talked about him getting rich while drinking. Without luck one cant get
rich just as without grass horse cant get fat.
6th scene:
He is seen laboring, muddy, hard job, sweating, running
7th scene:
Goes back to HuNiu gets a drink, says business is not bad. He is seen as a hard
worker, it will take two years if I do it this way. HuNiu says he might die if he keeps
this up
8th
Men playing a game gambling. XiangZi is hired as a driver on a monthly basis by
Yang family
9th
Yang family spoiled brats, seen doing other things, carrying water, take care of
child. Brats call him camel. Polish shoes. Gets angry because people boss him. He
quits
10th
Returns to office, eats with HuNiu. Refuses to drink, but she coerces him. She
becomes drunk and wild lol. Shot game lol. Someone pisses outside and sees the
light of HuNius room on, they off it landian.
11th
Watermelons, drinks. Mr. Cao sees XiangZi. Half a year away to shanghai. Move to
his house found a regular job. Hes been sleeping with HuNiu. 1$ a day if buy
rickshaws, and lease it.
He prefers to pull rickshaws, she is in love with him. Doesnt accept the rent for 2
days.
12th
XiangZi accompanies them to the market, does gardening/potting flowers. Mrs cao
gives them gifts
13th
He buys alcansia and saves money. New rickshaw is 100$, doesnt want to beg/for
partnerships with others. He is 1/3 short now even if he is thrifty, Cao is writer. They
trip and fall rickshaw breaks.
14th
HuNiu goes to market, festive season (Chinese new year after 27) lady waiting to
see him, big black tower, frightening. She is pregnant lol, hes devastated. Fathers
bday is 27th feb (Chinese new year) blackmails him to return. Lets act first and
report it afterwards. Kowtow on bday and new year. Adopted son. Then HUniu tell
father, then adopted son= son in law. Gives him back his 30$. He cries and
becomes angry hahahaha bobo kasi. Breaks porcelain and says he wont go on 27
15th
All the rich are cold blooded. All that die of cold and hunger are warm blooded.
Kwentuhan mga guys. Primitive heating system. Old man collapses. Cold and
hungry, felt dizzy. XiangZi gave him food, but old man gives the child food.
16th
Theyve been followed, take wife and son. Cao to Zao. Rebel si cao. Charging him
with crime as well. Buy life with money. Pay or kill u. unlucky
17th
Birthday. I have to give him 40 coppers for his bday, now I have to work all day.
XiangZi relies on his charms daw. He is lucky daw. Father gets angry with daughter
cuz spend too much. Tells her to choose dad or XiangZi. Wont let rickshaw puller
take advantage of him.
18th
Marriage day luxurious wedding seen by poor. No relatives have come.
19th
She was not pregnant lololololololol. They live in a hostel na. they go to the market
and buy stuff. They eat focuses on her eating. Public shows, hes still thinking about
buying rickshaw.
20th
Everyday life, washing dishes. Labor<Cleverness. Married for her money. They have
400$ now and want to enjoy life. When money runs out, she will make up with her
father. He wants to pull rickshaw again doesnt know how to do business.
21st
Pulls rickshaw again. Cant stay idle daw. Hang herself if he pulls again.
22nd
She goes back to office, and sees the name has been changed. Father left with all
the money and sold the shop na lololol unlucky. Go buy rickshaw na
23rd
Poor dad pulls rickshaw and buys pig feed for his sons. Poor dad sold her daughter
(Fuzi) and daughter supports her family. Man (treats her as maid bought her as a
virgin) went to army and left her wife(daughter) to pay rent. She goes home
because its confiscated na. pregnant na si huniu. Dad pulls rickshaw without eating,
suggest daughter to sell herself.
24th
Rain and pulling rickshaw parin. Pulls puzi home. Become sick. Selos si asawa.
25th
Pulls rickshaw again, Fuzi helps him stich lining and clean rickshaw.
26th
Meets fuzi again while rickshawing. Fuzi is prostituting. Begs to leave them to live
peacefully. They make amends
27th
Hes about to be father. HuNiu gives birth, Fuzi midwife, XiangZi gets ashes to let
her drink. XiangZi did not get doctor. Too late, Huniu dies 30$. Loaned for coffin cant
pay for it. No customers the whole day. Fuzi gives him money, sells 52$ rickshaw.
Advised him to sell his furniture etc. Hes leaving the house na.
Gave fuzi hunius old clothes
28th sees hunius dad again. Fuzi works at the brothel. Xiangzi goes back to pick up
fuzi but shes gone. We sell sweat, women sell bodies. Too late, she hanged herself.
He continues to pull rickshaw, is abused by authorities, pushed by other
rickshawers, becomes a beggar, and last scene is dark.
