Pianissimo 听风的歌
Synopsis
KE MIN became deaf as a result of growing up in a poor and violent domestic environment. With no knowledge of dealing with her daughter’s handicap, Ke Min’s mother neglects her, leaving her the target of bullying among the school children. Not knowing to express her frustration, Ke Min grows introverted and depressed, prone to occasional violent outburst. After repeated complaints from the villagers, Ke Min’s mother had no choice but to tie her up at the back of the house like a prisoner, with both her legs bounded, only serving her food daily. Because of such treatment, Ke Min is constantly gripped by fear and anger. She yelled for help, but only to become known as the ‘crazy deaf girl’ of the village. This went on for five years.
FANG ZHENG NAN is an orphan who became involved in gangsterism that moulded into a criminal. When he was 18, while running away from the police, Zheng Nan fled to a quiet village. At night, he heard the agonising cries of a girl, and found an 11 year-old Ke Min imprisoned in a hut. In the dark, Ke Min looked frightened. Zheng Nan lit upthe darkness with his lighter, and this comforted the girl. He sat by the window and accompanied her that night. Next day, as Zheng Nan was about to leave, the hut caught fire. Without thinking, Zheng Nan risked his life to saveKe Min, and succeeded.
From then on, Ke Min followed Zheng Nan everywhere he went. To her, Zheng Nan is someone she felt protected by; to him, Ke Min is the companion that fills the emptiness he felt. They became inseparable and spentunforgettable moments together. But soon, the gangsters caught up with them. Zheng Nan has no choice but leave a wounded Ke Min in front of the hospital.
Dong Zhe (16) was visiting his father at the hospital when he stumbled upon Ke Min at the door and quickly takes her to the doctor. He takes good care of her while she recuperates. Ke Min is unnerved that Zheng Nan is not with her. At first she resisted Dong Zhe’s care and good intentions, but eventually relented when he persisted to help her. Eventually, with his father’s permission, Ke Min is allowed to move into Dong Zhe’s house. She was well takencare of and given the opportunity to learn sign language. Ke Min is grateful towards Dong Zhe, but deep down, she is unable to forget the boy who gave her light during her darkness.
Fifteen years later, Ke Min is a special education teacher at the deaf school and is arranged to be married to DongZhe. One day, while Ke Min tries on her wedding dress at the bridal house, she sees a person that resembles ZhengNan. But when she runs out to him, the person refuses to acknowledge her. Ke Min’s heart is ruffled from then on. Perhaps Zheng Nan has never left her all these years…
Indeed, Zheng Nan has never left Ke Min. That year after he sent Ke Min to the hospital, he had never failed to enquire after her. Seeing her well taken care of, Zheng Nan is at ease. Throughout the years he had proven himself and had risen up the ranks within the gang. ZHUO RU YAN (28) is his partner in crime who is secretly in love withZheng Nan, but knows that deep down he is in love with another woman.
A twist of fate has brought Zheng Nan and Ke Min together. Their passion is rekindled, unable to resist themselves. When Dong Zhe finds out about his, he tries whatever means to retain Ke Min. Ke Min is torn apart between DongZhe and Zheng Nan. Zheng Nan plots to run away with Ke Min, but was caught by the gangsters, who force him to commit a crime in exchange for his and Ke Min’s freedom – to kill Dong Zhe’s father.
It turns out that Dong Zhe’s father and the gangsters are enemies. In an effort to protect Ke Min, Zheng Nan is beaten and loses his memory as a consequence. Ke Min decides to escape with Zheng Nan, and like how he took care of her, nurses him gradually to health and tries to revive his memory bit by bit. She learns to speak, just so she can say ‘I love you’…
This is a touching love elegy that begins with a passionate melody, and ends in a dream…
