Hello
don't forget the lecture today
attendance is mandatory
I know
still sleeping?
I haven't been sleeping well recently
lots of dreams
stop reading that guy's novels
he was insane
bullshit!
See you later then
mom, I'm off to school
don't forget to come back home for dinner tonight
I remember
it's the anniversary of dad's death
he hasn't been able to enjoy my cooking
so you take his place
should I follow in his footsteps?
Never!
A seaman is like a dead man to us
you are my only son
you are my only mom
I will be with you forever
you also have your girlfriend Joey
invite her for dinner tonight
I haven't seen her for a long time
alright. I'm gonna be late
I have to go. Bye
excuse me. Thanks
I thought you wouldn't come
this is my final year. Can't afford any mistakes
lam not you. I have to earn a living
how is auntie doing?
As usual, she loves to keep herself busy
she invited you for dinner
it's the anniversary of my dad's death
that means we have to pray to that alter
ancestors worship is different from idol worship
if you don't come again, she'll think we have broken up
we have
you have fallen in love with that Japanese writer
even with someone long dead
you are still jealous
this is very kind of you
like what they always say in Greece
time is the best cure
indeed
class, attention please
today is the first lecture for the cultural studies class this year
we are honored to have
the distinguished professor Antonio ming as your instructor
he is a famous scholar in the areas of
ancient Greek culture and utopian thought
visiting from the Australian national university
wishing you all a great course this year
thank you Dean
I am Antonio
but you are welcome to call me brother ming
to get things going, let's do a little experiment
those of you who are gay, please raise your hands
none?
Okay, how about those of you who have had
either gay sexual experiences or dreams?
Also none
surely some of you must have gay friends or at least empathy for gays?
Let me put it out there then; I am a homosexual!
The ancient Greece of 2500 years ago
was the era of socrates, Plato and Aristotle
it was a period in history when mankind achieved
the greatest leap in spiritual civilization
our understanding today of freedom, democracy and government
is mostly coming from the theories of those great philosophers
what's that got to do with homosexuality?
In those days
all grown men not only had wives
but if they were to be fully respected, they had boyfriends too
the more numerous, the younger
the more handsome and the more intelligent the better
why?
In those days, the exchanges between men
from metaphysical intelligence to physical sex
were not only legal,
but also perceived to be noble
professor
can you please take down that image?
Miss
I think you are an adult
and yet you are uncomfortable viewing a male's body?
No
I just think you should respect
the religious beliefs of some of us here
are you catholic?
Yes
homosexuality is a sin. Preaching homosexuality is sinister
but didn't your pope recently say that
"lf a person is gay
and seeks god and has good will
who am I to judge them?"
Who are you lady?
In "the Republic", Plato said that
in an ideal community where schools flourish
only music and mathematics should be taught
there is a famous quote from socrates
"an unexamined life is not worth living"
come in
professor
please, call me brother ming
yes, brother ming
I came to apologize for my girlfriend's impoliteness
what's her name?
309v
is there a reason that one person has to apologize for another living one?
You are right
but she has always been like that
why didn't you leave when she left?
That's another reason why I came
oh?
Young people these days
seldom read the novels of mishima yukio
really?
It has been a while since I last read them too
it maybe time for me to revisit his work
especially the final pieces, the tetralogy
professor, no, I meant brother ming
ls there a link between mishima's suicide
and the martyrdom of socrates?
Mishima was very complicated
though he tried his best to explain himself
he could hardly be understood
socrates was far more simple and straight forward
the reason for his martyrdom
was similar to that of the ancient Christian, Saint Sebastian
these people chose death
as they believed
they couldn't live a poetic life any more
poetic?
They were poets
those poets cared only about god's appraisal
not the perspective of the secular world
I think that the reason you came to see me is that
you are attracted by the works
and the physicality of homosexuals
so you are confused
I have a girlfriend and I don't doubt my sexual orientation
but I have the same feelings as the young mishima
like the fascination with our own bodies
masculine male bodies have been showing up in my dreams
following today's lecture
I decided I want to learn more about this aspect of myself
what is your name?
Hins gao
ming means brightness and gao means brilliance
we will be a good match
you two quarreled again?
We will be okay in a few days
honesty is a virtue
I know
like what you say
you lie once, you cover up for life
morn
don't you have anything you've hidden from me?
What do you mean?
I mean, dad is long gone
haven't you ever wanted another partner?
You want to dump this burden called morn?
I see my dad often in my dreams
I can't imagine there being one in real life
I also feel anguish for what you have been missing
but it is all fate
try this
a drink, lady?
We have asahi and 1664 on tap
I want the French one
one moment
are you studying nearby?
No
I am actually a transport worker
I work part time here at night
no wonder you have such a good figure
sis, so what do you do?
Sis?
Do I look that old?
You look 25, but I am only 22
you are 22?
Then I am 18
see you
bye
hey handsome
I'll buy you a drink
I can't drink at work
when will you be off?
We stay open until the last customer has left
then, I am off
so by this logic
I can never buy you a drink?
Right
but maybe you are smart enough to figure out a solution for me
I am swan
lam hins
hins?
That sounds familiar
haven't we met?
I wouldn't forget if I have ever met such a beauty
you kind of look like my morn
Jesus!
In just an hour I have aged into a morn
I suppose you are Joey?
I am swan
I am the substitute teacher
you may call me sister swan
you sing. I'll accompany you
"at that moment"
"love was fading"
I am sorry
it doesn't matter
let's do it again
would you rather your rival in love
be of the same, or opposite sex?
I don't want rivals
I would rather turn them into friends
sis, you are avoiding my question
if I really have to choose
I would rather it be a man
why?
Isn't it more shameful
losing out to one of the same sex?
Strange logic
if you apply normal logic to abnormal matters
you may never get an answer
answer...
Brother ming!
It's you!
Why are you here?
Are you looking for Antonio?
Yes
you are his student?
Yes
it is still early
you can wait for him there
any chance that you are the "mishima yukio" boy?
So he did mention me!
You are his...
Lam...
His research assistant
what a coincidence
did he say anything about me?
He sure did
why are you so interested?
For sure, every student would care about his teacher's feeling towards him
in what way?
Any... way
but, forget it
why are you nervous?
Do you have feelings for him?
You are being provocative
what is the worry?
I have feelings for him too
we are in the same boat
I could be your adviser
so
Open up to me and tell me anything
but there is nothing to tell. We are innocent
why do you care about views of others?
And besides, what's the big deal about being bisexual?
You live only once
but can experience two different kinds of love and lust
isn't it the utopia of life?
How wonderful!
You are going too far
how about your girlfriend
does she know?
If something were to happen, i would tell her for sure
although I am not religious, i will never lie to her
so cute!
You are my type
yet the most important thing is
to be true to yourself
once you have lied to yourself
you can never say you are not a liar
well?
Have you been introduced?
Sure
we are like old friends already
we are just done
later
she is very attractive
isn't she?
Got some free time on Sunday?
Let me help you to expand your horizons
don't be shy
this boat trip is especially for you
I had no idea there would be so many people
and all so... bold
that's the way to help you understand
come on
your turn!
We are playing cards
you are?
Oh, you got a friend
I'll go take a shower
what do you mean?
What do you mean then?
Who is he?
A friend
fflend?
Who on earth would bare it all in a friend's room?
Is there a problem?
Don't you like it? Do you even care?
Shall I introduce him to you? Who knows...
What the hell are you talking about?
Do I need to elaborate?
You fell in love with that faggot
you are no longer a man
stop it!
We are not married yet
god won't allow it
ls there anything your god actually allows?
Can we not argue about this, please?
How about I use my hand...
Leave me alone for awhile
ls everything alright?
It's okay
someone changed her mind and come back for my lecture
please leave my boyfriend alone
you mean hins?
I can't leave him
he came to me
it is useless for you to keep tormenting him
he likes girls
and he loves me only
love?
Corinthians 13:5 says
"love is patient and kind
love does not envy
- or boast..." - Enough!
A scholar like you
should be popular among girls
why do you have to commit the sin of homosexuality?
Sin?
It is the church in the secular world who rejects gays
not god
god created heterosexuality, bisexuality and homosexuality
in what order?
Are you telling me you know the answer?
Let's say it is all love
even if you do really love him
but then do you have to compete with me?
We've been together for three years
he isn't your type
I appreciate a good intellectual discussion like this
how about we don't compete
which lets him love us both
and how about
if you and me are in love as well?
Ridiculous!
How could such be shared?
You mean love has to be unshared and exclusive?
If you have brothers or sisters
would your morn love only one of you?
You are being sophistic
they are two different things
the truth is revealed through debates
many so called doctrines
falter in the face of intellectual examination
Lenin once said
"prejudice is further away from truth than ignorance"
I give up
lam not fighting you on this
let's compete in something else then
I suppose you play piano?
Let's have a duet
Beethoven wrote this
for his 17 year old student
they had a love affair
which were not acceptable in the secular world
they could only express their love through music
the manuscript was found years after his death
was such love a sin?
Is it possible for love to be a sin?
I'm going
bye
we are closed
I'll wait for you in the yard
may I have one?
Sure
I wonder if I should see him again
so the boat trip didn't go well?
He told you everything
you can tell me everything too
lam a pretty good listener
I want to understand the world
and myself as well
but by going deeper
I am worried I will turn into another person
and do something I will regret
and then?
I may lose my grounding
and not be able to find my way into my new world
you are beginning to speak like him
maybe I don't deserve such a teacher
if he was a girl
or I were one, everything might be more natural
let me tell you a legend
among the students of socrates
there was one extraordinarily young and handsome
whose name was alcibiades
alcibiades
the name of this city, means "city of angels"
you must have been to a lot of places?
I have been to eighty countries
and then I found an utopia, right here
eighty!
Oh, right
you said there is a gym down there
I want to work out
you might want to walk around too
and I will take you to dinner later
I am going to rest for a bit
you efljoy
okay
hey toffi
I am back
the swimming pool is great
I came back to get my swim suit
so this is your "city of angels"?
Utopia?
Instead of cursing happiness
why not be part of it?
You intended me see all that right?
I guess it was just meant to be
you want me, don't you?
Is it not obvious?
I would exchange it with the most precious thing in my life
what if I decline?
Then life would be less poetic
yours or mine?
Mine
or maybe ours
ls that the temple of dawn?
That's right
temple of dawn
where Mr. Honda visited Princess ying
in mishima's novel
so it is real, look!
The temple of dawn does exist!
I can't believe I am seeing it
this is not a dream, is it?
Such a kid
wait till I take you to the golden pavilion
and even the Ganges
I wonder how excited you will be...
Do you believe in reincarnation?
Does this scene
remind you of the dream of Honda?
Yes
from this paragraph:
"All ideas and all gods
were jointly turning the spiral nebula like gigantic wheel of samsara
carrying masses of people who were happy, angry, sad or joyful
just like us, unaware of the rotation of the earth
unaware of the effects of samsara
it was like a Ferris wheel at night
all decorated with lights
in the amusement park of the gods"
if only we can live our lives
like those poets
writing and leaving behind
such beautiful poems
whether there is an afterlife
where we may reincarnate to
would they matter at all?
Right
a student of socrates
alcibiades
told his teacher
"i tried everything to get intimate with you, all for your wisdom
instead of being ridiculed by a Sage for not seizing the chance of my life
I would rather be insulted by all ordinary folks of the world
until I die"
tell me
what is love?
Tell me!
Isao
why are you angry?
Lam not angry at anything!
You came to say farewell
isn't it?
Isn't it?
Isn't...
I just can't take it
I don't want to live
life is meant to be painful
pain is the foundation of life
the bigger the pain, the wiser we become
sis
you must have the wisdom
teach me how to forsake love
I can't
I can't do it
sis
l.
Have just done the least poetic thing possible
It was my own initiative
nothing to do with my teacher
that is not the point, kid
you are not 21 yet
legally you are still considered underage for having sex with a man
you broke the laws of Hong Kong
what?!
Better learn the law before you become gay
my teacher just returned from abroad and couldn't have known this
ls ignorance an excuse?
This is not a TV drama
the law exists without favoritism or mercy
he is the adult in this. He will face quite severe charges
imprisonment is inevitable
sign this confession
I have nothing to declare
write it down you please
you are a man of stature
how can you partake in such immoral acts?
I may have violated your laws
but I am not sinful
hins gao
somebody bailed you out
pack your things and come out
he is back
how was your trip?
Why didn't you call me
and let me know you would be late?
I wondered what happened to you
something did happen
but I can fix it
don't worry, morn
you're leaving again!
I will be back for dinner
boys won't stay with you forever
defendant Antonio ming
is alleged to engage in sex with a man under 21 years of age
he is to be remanded in custody, with no bail, pending trial
the other defendant hins gao
is alleged to have participated in gay sex while under the age of 21
he is to be released on bail to await further investigation
the aforementioned hearing will take place in 14 days
lift up your head, man
there is nothing you cannot conquer
21 years old, why precisely 21?
It would be fine if only you were one year elder
wasn't Hong Kong under British rule?
People in britain can choose their sexual pleasure from the age of 16 onwards
we are the ones to belittle ourselves
by accepting this discrimination
hins, it's a pity you were born in Hong Kong
I was not born here!
My dad was a Hong konger, but my morn was a mainlander
they gave birth to me in China before coming to Hong Kong
my dad was a seaman, who ran into a wreck
my morn told me...
Hey!
She told me that I am actually a monkey
the birthdate on my ID
was amended for some reason
monkey?
Then you are already 21!
Morn
ls there anything you couldn't forgive me for?
I can see you are troubled by something
tell me
your mom can handle anything
mom, you didn't answer my question
son
you are a man
and mature enough to make your own decisions
whatever you have done, right or wrong, your morn will always support you
if I really have to pick something
then it would be for leaving me
I have had a relationship with my teacher
that kind of relationship?
How terrible!
The teacher is out of line
I bet she is not older than me
probably... not
how about Joey then?
Have you broken up?
No
We won't
you are cheating on her?
You men; You're all the same!
My teacher...
Is a man
what?!
Good man
you knew everything up there, right?
You will forgive me
I, leung yi zhun, solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that
the evidence I give in this court is the truth
and nothing but the truth
your honor
I have only a few simple questions for Ms. leung, our witness
Ms. leung
there are two mainland birth certificates
of the defendant
can you please tell us why
there can be two certificates for one person?
Hins
this is the only thing i have ever hidden from you
it has been more than 20 years now
yet it is still like yesterday in my memory
a few days after my wedding
who's that?
Shu Juan
help me, sister zhun
take care of this baby for me
they are coming to take me!
Shu Juan!
My best friend shu Juan
rushed to my home
with her new born son
a young life was gone, just like that
the poor woman was dumped by her man after becoming pregnant
she lost her mind after giving birth to the baby
I had to follow my husband to Hong Kong
but there was no way i could leave this poor baby behind
amid the confusion
an idea occurred to me
my husband was a merchant seaman
who had to leave on a journey shortly after our wedding night
he was then going to be gone for two or three years
I got a friend in the hospital
to make the baby a new birth certificate
the birthdate was set at ten months later
I then brought to my husband this "joyous news"
as well as hins
who would then "reunite" with this supposed father of his
can you tell us then
the exact birthdate
of the defendant?
28th march, 1992
which means
the actual birthdate of the defendant
was about ten months earlier than that on his ID card
ls that so?
Right
your honor, I have no more questions
Ms. leung
the fassbender like story you have just made up
is very intriguing indeed
I don't know this term
but I never lie
you never lie?
Didn't you start lying 20 years ago?
Indeed“.
I thought I could hide the truth forever
you lie once, you cover up for life
do you also know that
counterfeiting documents is a serious crime?
It could put you in jail
objection, your honour
the prosecution is raising an impossible accusation
that's alright
I knew this
lam willing to pay for my wrongdoing
but I can never let my son bear the responsibility
Ms. leung
didn't you just claim he is not your son?
What are you talking about?
Although he is not my son by birth
he will always be my son!
Morn
mqm!
Lam going to jail
finally I can rest and do some studying maybe
morn, you will be alright
a lawyer friend told me that
even if you are found guilty
it would be a light sentence for telling white lies
lam not so sure about that
these days, Hong Kong resembles China in the old days
anything can happen
you better fly away if possible
I told you
I won't leave you
don't forget to feed the tortoises
my friend also told me that
on the basis of civil laws and human rights
and by dealing with some procedures
I could be spared of being repatriated back to mainland China
that is great news!
That was my only concern
men should be explorers
your mom won't be holding you back for long
maybe I will find a soulmate after I am released from jail
mom you are so beautiful
you're going to tie up this street with your admirers
stop bullshitting
beauty belongs to the young
once it's passed, it shall never return
my teacher also said that once
you and your teacher
will you continue?
Perhaps because your dad passed too early
and I wasn't sure how to raise you
it is not like that
actually there are many kinds of love
we just...
I know that too
I have also read "the dream of red mansions"
even that son of nobility had slept with men too
love yourself and be respectable
your mom isn't going to worry about this anymore
they are your blood parents
you'd better keep it
better learn the law before you become gay
I don't need this
there is nothing missing in my life
Are you kidding me?
The teacher was not guilty
but the mother was!
What's wrong with this world?
Luckily she isn't being imprisoned
otherwise there is no justice
sis, you are so talented
we are blessed
I am the blessed one
there is a cantonese saying: "Good at the kitchen and the living room"
for my kind of man
add to that "good in the bedroom and the classroom"
what a perfect woman
shall we really tell them?
What's the secret?
Don't you have any idea who I actually am?
My god!
Sis swan, you can't be...
Mrs. ming!
The stupid kids finally got it
we have been married for over a decade
you may now call me madam ming
but, you'd better not
we would rather die than age
time builds a relationship, but sensuality comes from unfamiliarity
after being together for years,
we both need new excitement
we also miss the feel of young flesh
I let him be socrates
and enjoy the role of his accomplice
you...
Are the new blood
having been seduced into joining...
Our utopia of love and lust
let's have the last class
don't just watch
practice among yourselves
brother ming was dismissed by the school
this is not the place for us
we shall look for our utopia elsewhere
are you really leaving?
Back to Australia first, then to Thailand
shall we go with you?
Hins has to take care of his mom, right?
Right
we better stay
to open up new ground and new minds for this utopian ideology
that's what my good students would say
Class, I am your lecturer
but you are welcome to just call me hins
if anyone of you
is a homosexual like me
raise your hand
let's give this classmate a big hand
in an ideal community where schools flourish
only music and mathematics should be taught
there is a famous quote from socrates
"an unexamined life is not worth living"