Passages (2004 Movie)

Introduction

Passages is a 2004 Chinese movie which was written and directed by Yang Chao. The movie stars Geng Le as Si-xu and Chang Jieping as Xiaoping.

Passages Plot Summary / Synopsis

In the Anhui province of China, a young man named Si-xu and a young woman named Xiaoping have purchased plant seeds in the hopes of cultivating many plants so as to turn a profit and even start a new business. As time goes on and the two friends water and tend to the seeds, they find that the seeds will not grow into plants.

Suspecting they were swindled, Si-xu and Xiaoping begin the journey by bicycle to the Wuhan business which they purchased the seeds from. Finding the trip difficult, it is not until days later that they finally arrive. However, the woman who sold the seeds to them refuses to admit culpability and will not refund their money.

Shortly after, Si-xu is confronted in the street by a man. The two jostle until Si-xu gets the better of the man who then leaves. The woman who sold them the seeds warns them that the man is involved with organised crime and that he will return with others. Sympathising with them, she refunds half of their money.

Si-xu and Xiaoping quickly leave on their bicycles, beginning the trip back towards home. Along the way they eventually lose the use of their bicycles and instead have to walk the rest of the journey. This turns into a long and trying ordeal, especially for Xiaoping.

Eventually the two make it home but then do not see eye to eye on how they should proceed with their future. Disillusioned, Si-xu wants to give up on entrepreneurship and instead turn to pursuing a university degree. Xiaoping, on the other hand, still believes there is merit in trying to make money on their own.

As the movie ends, Si-xu is seen taking the entrance exam to attend university, which he passes, while Xiaoping instead continues to pursue making a living on her own.

Passages Quotes

Xiaoping: Don't worry. We'll ask her tomorrow.
Si-xu: We won't get a refund.
Xiaoping: I think she'll give it to us. She's afraid of being found out.
Si-xu: Even if she's afraid she won't
Xiaoping: Why won't she.
Si-xu: No one parts with money.
Xiaoping: But she has a guilty conscience.
Si-xu: You're so naive. A lot of people are like her.
Xiaoping: But we aren't.
Si-xu: That's why we were cheated

Si-xu: But it would be nice if we both went to Beijing University. We could walk tall then. We were so close to passing the exam last time. No matter how often we failed before if we pass this time we'll control our own destinies.
Xiaoping: Is that the only way to control our lives. We can make a living by ourselves.
Si-xu: Don't be silly. How would we do that? We didn't make a cent.
Xiaoping: That's because we met crooks.
Si-xu: No, they were ordinary people. There are many like them, who cheat people. Can't you see? We can never beat them at cheating. We can never make a cent.

Si-xu: Let me tell you one thing. The only thing that isn't a lie is an exam mark. One equals one. Going to college is our only way out.

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