Aftershock Page #6

the Tangshan rescue team?

Yes, we already did.

What do they need?

They need more medics.

I'll think of something.

Thanks, sir.

Is this the medic team?

Yes.

I studied medicine.

Can I join your team?

Sure

Let me help you.

Thanks

Give me the backpack.

Thanks.

Mr. Fang, we're here.

Where are you?

I'm in the town.

I'm with the Tangshan rescue team.

Who should we give the stuff in the vehicle to?

First to the local Red Cross.

Got it.

Are you from Tangshan?

Yes.

I'm also from Tangshan.

I got here late.

Better late than never.

Grab a tool. Help save them.

It's like this. This is your child's leg.

There's a slab on her leg.

On top, a column is holding up a building.

We need to remove the slab in order

to save your child.

But as soon as we remove the slab...

your child and the soldiers will all be in danger.

Calm down. We'll do our best to save your child.

Do something!

I beg you!

Okay!

My daughter!

Is anyone injured?

My daughter!

Is anyone hurt?

The girl's okay.

Who is it?

Li Qing, Li Qing.

Lift him up.

Let us through.

Get an ambulance!

My daughter.

Don't be afraid.

Mom's here with you.

Get the doctor.

Cut off her leg

Ma'am,

That's only a last resort.

Of course I don't want this.

My daughter.

You can't keep digging her out.

The building will collapse.

I can't risk your lives. Your parents

would never forgive me.

Get the saw.

When the child grows up,

Let her hate me.

My daughter!

My daughter's leg.

My daughter!

I want my daughter's leg.

My daughter.

I want my daughter's leg.

Forgive me!

Attention please,

Tangshan rescue team.

It's time to eat.

If you're hungry, go ahead and eat.

If you're not hungry,

Wait a while. Okay?

What do you want?

Sorry,

I'm really hungry.

I don't eat much.

It's too dry. Take a bottle of water.

Thanks.

How many people are with the Tangshan rescue team?

A few days ago there were about 1 0.

Today you have more than 40.

People see the Tangshan rescue team's banner,

And then they join us.

What happened to your arm?

Were you buried in rubble?

In 1 976,

I was two years old.

I don't remember what happened.

I lost my mother.

I'll go through my whole life without a mother.

What about your family?

Only my mom's left.

My sister and father are gone.

My sister and I were twins.

When the earthquake struck,

We were both trapped under a concrete slab.

When my mom called for help,

She was told that by prying the slab

from on top of me,

My sister would be crushed.

If the slab was removed from on top of my sister,

I would be crushed.

They asked my mom to choose

which one of us to save.

How can she decide?

I know

"Both the palm and the back of the hand

are made of the same flesh."

My mom didn't say anything.

They got impatient.

If she didn't choose, she'd lose both of her kids.

Your mom saved her son.

The 1 976 earthquake...

Destroyed my mom's entire life.

Her heart. . .

was ripped into pieces.

Do you know what my mom used to always say?

What?

You don't know what losing something means

until you've lost it.

The homes that were destroyed have been rebuilt.

But my mom's heart...

Can never be put back together.

For 32 years...

My mom's heart. . .

Has remained in ruins, covered in debris.

Sister.

Fang Deng.

Our home used to be at that intersection up ahead.

Now there's a department store.

Why are you staring at me?

Mom,

Is your blood pressure alright?

I'm fine.

If I can handle a lifetime of grief,

then I can handle happiness too.

Where does your sister live?

Canada.

She's hiding so far away from me.

This is our home.

I feel as if I've been here before.

Mom,

Your daughter's come back.

This is my wife, Xiao He.

That's my son.

Hurry,

Say hi to your aunt.

Hi, aunt.

Mom,

Your daughter's come back.

First go inside.

Go inside.

Okay.

Sister, let's go inside.

Go on...

Take the backpack inside to your dad.

After the earthquake, we lived in a tent

for three years,

And then we moved here.

Mom has lived here for 30 years.

I bought a new home for mom.

She won't move.

Why is this picture still hanging here?

Mom must have been so happy...

She forgot about this.

I washed the tomatoes for you.

I didn't lie to you.

Forgive me.

Mom...

What...

How did you suddenly reappear?

So many years...

Why didn't you contact me?

I thought you were with your dad.

Mom, Get up.

I thought about you two all day long.

I thought about you for 32 years.

Why didn't you think of me?

Where'd you go?

- Why didn't you come back? Deng?

- Mom, get up

Deng. . .

Mom.

Get up.

Deng. . .

They are my foster parents.

PLA soldiers.

The soldiers rescued many people in Tangshan.

My foster mother died in 1 990.

My foster father...

Is retired.

His health is okay.

I'd like him to come and see me abroad.

He still refuses.

This is my husband.

A foreigner?

How much older is he?

Sixteen years.

This is my daughter.

Her name is Dian Dian.

She's also called Dian Dian?

She's very pretty.

How old is she?

She's in college.

She studies psychology.

You had a child when you were 22?

Yes, with a graduate student.

He wanted me to have an abortion.

I wouldn't do it.

We split up.

And then?

I quit school.

Who took care of you after you gave birth?

What about the child's father?

He left China.

I lost touch with him.

You didn't ask someone to help find him?

He didn't want me.

Why bother?

Da Qiang. . .

You love me so much.

You sent our daughter back.

I opened it for you.

Mom,

I'll get someone to remove this tomb.

There's no need.

Later, no matter where I'm living,

When I die, I will come back here.

I want to be with my father.

Do as your sister says.

She feels wronged.

Okay.

From elementary school to high school,

Each year mom bought two sets of textbooks.

A set for me,

And a set for you.

Mom,

All these years,

How have you managed?

I've been fine.

In a woman's lifetime,

How many periods of 30 years are there?

Why'd you do that?

Really, I've been fine.

If I lived a carefree life,

I would feel even worse.

Mom,

I'm sorry.

From the first time I saw Fang Da,

I started to hate myself.

He is my brother.

For him to live...

It is wonderful.

Mom, I'm sorry.

I tortured you for 32 years.

I can't forgive myself.

Mom...

Mom, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. Mom.

I'm sorry.

"In 2008, the Tangshan municipal government...

erected a memorial wall to commemorate. . .

the 240,000 victims of the 1 976 earthquake."

"Song Shoushu, Age 65"

"Retired from the Tangshan Metal Machinery Factory"

"He lost his father, sister,

and son in the Tangshan earthquake."

"His son, Song Yongjie, died at the age of 5."

In two days, I'll see you again.

"This film mourns the 240,000 victims

of the Tangshan earthquake"

"Like the phoenix rising from the ashes,"

"this film commemorates the rebirth

and restoration of a great city - Tangshan."

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