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Instructions:

Please use colour-coding when listing contributors and sourced footage. This will enable those elements to be more easily compared and added to the PasC form.

Narration – in CAPS

Dialogue – in italics

Correspondent to Camera, PTC – in plain text  

Names and references as they appear in this transcript:

Time Code

(10:00:00:00)

Description of Scene

Audio

10:00:00:00

5 second still frame of Beijing cityscape

CUE MUSIC BY JACK

10:00:05:00

Sourced radio audio

COVERING BOTH CHINA AND…

10:00:12:00

THE NEWS AT LENGTH, DIVE DEEP INTO NEWS…SPRING FESTIVAL IS AROUND THE CORNER AND SINGLE GIRLS HAVE BEGUN TO WORRY ABOUT THESE ANNOYING QUERIES ABOUT MARRIAGE FROM PARENTS AND RELATIVES. LUCKILY THEY CAN TURN TO THE INTERNET THAT ALLOWS THEM TO RENT BOYFRIEND…

10:00:31:00

WELCOME TO THE HOURLY BULLETIN. TEN YEARS AGO, WRITER CHI LI…

IF YOU RENT A BOYFRIEND FOR A WHOLE DAY IT CAN COST YOU UP TO 2000 KUAI ($300). THAT’S QUITE EXPENSIVE.

10:00:58:00

INTRODUCTION TO CEILIA/ Phone Call to boyfriend

“From the first day of spring festival to the thirdly day of new year equals four days. This is a website where you can rent a boyfriend. What I want to do is rent a boyfriend and take him home during the Spring Festival. oh so many options.  the girl can rent herself. rent a girlfriend. Rent a boyfriend. If I’m lucky, I’ll find someone that’s not so weird. Harbin. He’s from harbin, the same hometown. This guy is 31. Maybe I can just call him. I live in harbin. So I want to rent a boyfriend for this Chinese New Year.
“For This Chinese New year?”

I’m sorry I can’t make it this new year because I need to go home too. I can do it before or after new year. Sorry maybe you should ask someone else.

OK

Ok, Goodbye. 
 

10:02:26:00

Running to work

It’s because I’m really late.
I don’t think I’m old.  but the truth is all my relative thing its the age to get married. For a single girl in china, especially at my age, it’s kind of hard.

10:02:59:00

Fade into office

I’m a landscape designer, I do have passion for this job, for this thing. And if I don’t have it, I don’t know how to continue. I think renting a boyfriend is so private. I think it’s only because of the family. It will calm the mum’s nerves. I think we’re facing the same problem.

Right?

Yes

If your parents become really anxious and nearly lost their minds and asked you everyday to bring your boyfriend home if it became unbearable would you do it?

Maybe, but there is very little chance.

I wouldn’t do it because it would mean I give them hope.

If I’m 33 and still single, I must be a loser.

10:04:13:00

Fade out of office into Night Scene at bar

HELLO

HI
I SAW YOUR INFORMATION ON THE BOYFRIEND RENTAL WEBSITE.

OH NO, I’M SORRY. I’M NOT DOING THAT ANY MORE. SORRY, I CAN’T.

OK, BYE.

CHINESE SOCIETY IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. THE PAST 30 YEARS, IT’S TOTALLY DIFFERENT. AND AT THAT TIME, MY PARENTS’ AND OUR PARENTS’ WAY OF THINKING WAS VERY DIFFERENT.

After you drink this, you’ll be like, “Oh, I’m so happy. I’m good to talk now.” The only thing you need to think about here is to have fun and get excited. You don’t need to care about what others think. Yes, so that’s the point. The parents control too much. I’m going to go tell her mum that she’ll stay with me.

So we’ll just go outside and I’ll make the phone call.

You speak with my mum. 

I’m so nervous now.

Hello, ma’am.

My name is… we’re at my place catching up. I just want to ask if she can stay here at my place with me tonight.

No way, she needs to wake up early tomorrow. It’s very important.

Oh, ma’am. Ok, I understand. Ok, Goodbye.

10:06:05:00

CUT TO B-ROLL AND RADIO AUDIO

DARING, FUNNY AND SUBSTANTIAL WELCOME TO MY SHOW…

SHENG NU IS A WEIRD AND PATHETIC CONCEPT.  IT’S MODERN LIFE’S SECRETE ANGUISH.

CALLING SOMEONE ‘ SHENG NU’ IF THEY’RE STILL SINGLE AT 27 IS REALLY HUMILIATING.

10:06:22:00

CELIA DRESSED IN GIRAFFE OUTFIT

SHENG NU, IT’S NOT A POSITIVE WORD. IN CHINESE, IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HAS BEEN ABANDONED. SOME GIRL HAS BEEN ABANDONED. BUT IT’S NOT A GOOD FEELING BEING ABANDONED.

If I’m so tired and I get up early I will make coffee for myself because I got up at 3am and went to work.

10:07:22:00

Phone call to Lisa

HEY GIRL, HOW HAVE YOU BEEN?

I’M GOOD

REMEMBER WHAT I WAS TALKING TO YOU ABOUT BRINGING A FAKE BOYFRIEND HOME?

I WAS THINKING HOW MY PARENTS WOULD REACT IF I BROUGHT ONE HOME.

THEN I STARTED LOOKING ONLINE. MY GOODNESS IT’S EXPENSIVE.

ARE YOU SERIOUSLY THINKING ABOUT DOING THIS?

I’m afraid my mum will keep pushing me to get married. So I’ll bring one, whoever he is, to calm her down.

If you are serious about this, I know a friend who I could introduce you to.

So tell me about him.

He even has information online.

What kind of website is this?

You’ll know when you see it. I don’t know how to describe it to you.  He’s mixed, American and Chinese. I think he looks more like a runway model.

10:08:40:00

Meeting Sean

I'm heading to meet Sean. Maybe we should make up some stories because we have to talk to my mum and talk to my parents. I think he’s good looking. I barely know him. So apparently it’s a bit nerve-racking to talk to some strangers.

Translated:
Oh my God, I’m so nervous. I feel a lot of pressure.

How are you feeling?

I feel… I feel so nervous. 

Why?

If I tell my mum that you are my boyfriend she will think it’s the first time I bring a boyfriend home and he is so handsome.

Ok, I get it.

So let’s plan how we’ll perform next week. Shall we start?

So how long have we been together?

Yes how long?

Why am I bringing you home now?

This is my…

Hey how old are you?

24 years old.

Oh, you’re 24?

I’m already 27.

So why have I brought a guy back home who is 24 and claim that we’re getting married.  Can you tell them you’re 27 years old?

No problem. Do I look 27?

Yes, we’ll say you’re 27.

You can tell them that my skin is very good.

They want me to find someone who’s more mature in age. At least the same age as me.

If you say two years, they’ll feel like it’s been too long. and if you say six months, they’ll think it’s too short.

10:11:02:00

’

And since we have dated for such a long time why have I not told my mum about you? Yes, why? Why haven’t I told her about you? Can we say it’s because you’re becoming more mature? So I decided to tell her now?

Yes, we could say that.

Right?

So because you’re more mature now, we decided to tell her.

I’m so smart!

So smart.

What if your parents find out? what would happen then because I don't think that’s a good situation right?

What I fear most is to see her disappointed eyes.

You may need to prepare a little.

Don’t worry, I’ll do my homework. 

Ok, bye,

bye

10:12:03

Celia Packing

I'm packing for Chinese new year. Harding is super, super cold I think. Just a couple of days ago, my sister told me the temperature is -40. It’s really cold but I think it’s getting better. I’m so excited that I’m going to see my mum, my parents and my nephew.

How do I feel?  I’m a little nervous I didn’t make up a whole story. And I’m afraid that my mum will find out.

10:12:53:00

Train

CHINESE NEW YEAR IS THE LARGEST MIGRATION ON THE PLANET. IT’S SO IMPORTANT FOR CHINESE PEOPLE.

NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE ALL OF THE CHINESE WILL GO BACK TO THEIR HOME TOWN DURING SPRING FESTIVAL BECAUSE IT’S SO IMPORTANT FOR CHINESE PEOPLE.

We’re number eight right?

Yes, we’re number eight. This one is my dad, me, my brother-in-law, my sister. She’s 10 years older than me.

She does not look like you at all.

What you don’t think?

She looks like she could be your mum.

you are so mean. 

Ok, put that away.

My favorite animal.

A giraffe?

Giraffe

Why is giraffe your favorite animal?

It’s so cute.

10:14:46:00

HARBIN

HARBIN IS MY HOMETOWN. IT IS IN THE NORTH-EAST OF CHINA AND IT’S VERY COLD. IT  GOT FAMOUS BECAUSE OF AN ICE FESTIVAL. I THINK HARBIN IS STILL DEVELOPING. IT’S NOT COMPARABLE WITH BEIJING. YES, BECAUSE PEOPLE’S THINKING IS NOT THAT OPEN. 

I THINK IN CHINESE CULTURE IT IS A SIGN OF RESPECK GIVING GIFTS. I HAVE BAIJIU FOR THE DAD AND PACKS OF MILK BECAUSE APPARENTLY OLD PEOPLE LIKE THAT.

I feel really uncomfortable. I feel like, really uncomfortable.

I feel that way too. 

This is the moment we’ve been preparing for in the last two weeks.

I’m also nervous. I haven’t told my mum yet.

10:16:01:00

Enter The Parents home

Father

Hello

This is my dad

nice to meet you.

Mum this is sean,

hello

I think the boy is malnourished. Looks like he doesn’t eat enough.

Thank you.

this bailie is for dad.

The milk is for you.

I have workers’ hands, full of calluses.

She used to be a worker. so that is the reason, you know …

Your hands are of knowledge. They are for academic work.

Yes, these are short. We’ve been wishing for her to come back home this whole year. I think about her everyday with tears in my eyes.

So this is the moment I have to be home.

All my friends children are married. Friends ask me “is she married? Does she have a boyfriend yet?” I say, “no.”

My mum is still worried about this relationship. I brought you back home and my mum does not like you.

It’s not that I don’t like him.

I like him a lot, but he’s not the right one for you.

Why?

He’s too good looking.

Too good looking?

I’m worried about her, so worried.

Please don’t worry

How

10:17:49:00

'

how can I not worry when kids are away from home, mothers are worried.

Don’t be she’s very happy in Beijing.

Yes, and I’ve found such a handsome boyfriend.

He’s too young.

But Mum, this world has changed. It doesn’t matter now.

Yes, tradition won’t change.

Why?

He’s only 24 years old. Why Not?

Yes, there’s only three years difference.

No according to old Chinese sayings.

You told me I should be looking for someone ‘reliable’.

Look at him, such a handsome boy. He can’t be reliable. I like you buy you don’t look reliable.

Can you describe what kind of man I should be dating.

short and round

Short and round?

So he should be tall and round instead of tall and skinny?

Try to be fat.

I can’t

He really is my boyfriend.

I don’t really believe it.

Both of you will get tired from doing this. Am I right, am I right?

10:19:12:00

Harbin at Night

I TALKED TO MY MUM AFTER. MY MUM SAID IT’S NOT TRUE. HE’S NOT YOUR BOYFRIEND. MY MUM JUST SAID, “WHY DID YOU BRING A STRANGER, BRING SOMEONE WHO IS NOT YOUR BOYFRIEND? WHY DID YOU DO THIS?” AND I SAID, “ IF YOU PUSH ME A LOT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS I THINK I WILL REALLY TAKE SOMEONE WHO IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND.” 

Hey that’s not polite you know? because it's for dead people.

I know, it doesn’t matter. 

Yes, but it’s not polite.

Really? why not?

yes. The people will feel offended.

Really?

Yes, because they burn the fire for dead people.

10:20:30:00

Fade to Ice Festival

Have you been to ice festival before?

The Ice Festival

Oh, Ice Festival

Lisa!

Yesterday my aunt said she would introduce me to a man. She said “this man is 38. he owns houses, cars and has a British citizenship.” He doesn’t have any requirements except for one you need to be pretty.”

Let’s go on this ride and talk.

Bye, enjoy your loneliness

So how did it work out with the boyfriend? Nothing much to say about it.

Hi Sean

What’s the matter with him?

AS yo can see we’re not into each other. He’s obviously not my boyfriend. when I asked you to introduce Sean to me I was thinking Ill give it a try to see if it works for me. But I didn’t expect you to introduce me to such a good looking guy. It’s obviously unreliable.

What did your parents say?

My mum said he was too good looking and we don’t match. But I think my mum is right now she always said that. I should seriously start looking for someone now. It’s just that I have never found someone suitable for me.  I should look for a reliable boyfriend.

what do you mean by reliable?

Well I don’t know, you tell me.

I need to think about that.

I dont know what reliable is.

I think I need to grow up now.

Hit him. Hit him.

10:23:09:00

Fade to train station

Listen I need to do something you are busy typing things you know. I’m just sitting here doing nothing.

 Patience, you can wait. I’m busy talking to people.

10:24:00:00

Fade to Beijing

I cannot change my parents, especially their thoughts. There’s nothing I can do. So I think I’ll just work hard and be a better person and let them feel proud of me. it’s another way to tell my mum that I’m really good in my life. One good thing came from this experience. My parents won’t push me a lot. I think I will never do this again because it’s not a better feeling to lie to someone I love. So I think I will never do that.

10:24:55:00

END