The story of “PAPERMOON” is inspired by the highly rated, 5 times Golden Awards winner TV drama – ‘The Iron Lady’. It is a spin-off from the story of a lady who dedicates her whole life to run the family business with an iron fist.
“PAPERMOON” tells the story of a poor kite maker, Chen Tian Song, who falls in love with Gao Shi Qin, the daughter of a wealthy family who is about to inherit the business. Their innocent love eventually evolves into an infinite regret and a poignant love story.
The kite represents longing. Suppressing the feelings of guilt, Tian Song expresses his longing for Shi Qin through the making of kites, until he meets Gao Man Hua…
In search of Gao Shi Qin’s first love, Gao Man Hua travels all the way to Kelantan to learn about the man who has wounded her mother. The appearance of Gao Man Hua evoked apprehension in the quiet and reserved Chen Tian Song, bringing back yesterday’s memories. Chen Tian Song is uneasy about Man Hua’s constant clinging, but at the same time, he finds himself attracted to her because she carries an uncanny resemblance to Gao Shi Qin. What consequence would Chen Tian Song’s encounter with Gao Man Hua bring? Why is Gao Man Hua so desperate to search for Tian Song? Will Tian Song fall in love with Gao Man Hua, as if God has given him a chance to fall in love all over again?
Synopsis故事大綱
A solitary colourful Wau Bulan drifts in the sky, wailing, cutting a forlorn and lonely sight… Kampung Bulan is a small and quiet village in Kelantan – a sleepy fishing village surrounded by green paddy fields, stilt houses and sandy beaches. Once a year, the long and windy beaches of Kampung Bulan break into riotous colour and activity when the international kite festival hits town, bringing with it Wau and kite-makers from around the world, making for a true melting pot of cultural, craft and skills exchange between kite-making and flying aficionados. An extraordinary encounter awakens a forgotten love story…
Chen Tian Song (43), is a Chinese man who was raised by a Malay family. He is familiar with Malay culture and an expert in Wau and kite-making. Constantly stern and serious, he seems to bear a lot in mind. He operates a humble kite-making workshop in the coastal village, and is committed to uphold the traditional Wau-making legacy. However, Tian Song’s devotion and hard work doesn’t pay off adequately, his livelihood very much depends on donations from visiting tourists. Tian Song’s apprentice, Xiao Ding, hoping to help Tian Song, strongly feels that Tian Song should shift to making modern kites. During the international Wau festival press conference, the enthusiastic Xiao Ding secretly replaces Tian Song’s Wau with his own modern kite, announcing that Tian Song’s workshop will shift to modern kite-making. Tian Song storms into the press conference unexpectedly and dismisses Xiao Ding’s announcement. In the midst of Tian Song and Xiao Ding’s argument, a journalist announces breaking news of a sudden death! A distraught Tian Song leaves the conference abruptly. That night, Tian Song destroys all the Wau in his workshop…
The following day, Xiao Ding meets a female tourist, GAO MAN HUA (22). Xiao Ding is quickly smitten by her cheerful and bubbly personality. She shows great interest in Tian Song‘s Wau and urges Xiao Ding to let her visit his workshop. When Tian Song meets Man Hua, she gives him an uneasy and tormented feeling that reminds him of something familiar, a sad past that he has buried a long time ago…
Flashback to the 80s…One day, in a remote township in Malacca, the young Tian Song (18) accidentally lays eyes on Gao Shi Qin (18) and is mesmerized by her beauty. Initially Shi Qin behaves coldly toward Tian Song, but little do both expect what fate has in store for them.
Shi Qin comes from a rich family, a powerful player in the oil palm plantation business. Her father, the eldest son of the family, is entrusted to head and manage the family’s business. As the only child, Shi Qin knows she has to take over her father’s heavy responsibilities. Her strict and rigid upbringing robs her of a happy childhood, making her feel like a bird in a cage, repressed and therefore, rebellious.
The appearance of Tian Song brings much revelry into Shi Qin’s repressed and boring life. Tian Song is forever playful and fun to be with. Shi Qin finds freedom, joy and hope when she is with him, bringing back the smile on her face. The two young lovers taste the forbidden fruit by seeing each other secretly. They run with the spools in their hands, unleashing the Wau… building their dreams and hopes in the vast blue sky. Despite their vigilance, the Gao’s family elders find out about their forbidden love… and the young lovers come under tremendous pressure as the elders step in to break them up. At cross-roads, Shi Qin finally decides to leave her family and elope with him. The two young lovers live a happy and contented life. Unfortunately, their happiness is short-lived. Without realizing, the excitement of living together subsides gradually when daily mundane problems take over, their relationship begins to show signs of strain… Shi Qin exploits the landlord’s fondness of her to delay rental payments, giving a huge blow to Tian Song. Seeing the hefty price to pay for the pursuit of happiness, Tian Song begins to ponder if he’s doing the right thing…
Tian Song decides to give up and contacts Shi Qin’s family elder and delivers Shi Qin back to her family. Unable to understand Tian Song’s treacherous act, Shi Qin is devastated and heart broken, and vows that Tian Song will some day regret. Jamil moves back to Kelantan where he has been living the solitary, reclusive life ever since, burying his guilt and remorse. For the past 20 over years, Jamil has been making a living on his beautiful Waus and kites, unaware that it is through his kites that he pays furtive homage to Shi Qin’s memory. When news about Shi Qin’s murder comes, the police are investigating high and low for the murder suspect. At the same time, Man Hua emerges. To him, her smile, laughter, and demeanor are almost extensions of Shi Qin. The long dormant memories are liberated and long repressed passions awaken. Fuelled by Man Hua’s fiery passions and boldness, Tian Song’s longing for Shi Qin is awakened. As feelings gradually grow between them, Tian Song abruptly discovers that Man Hua is none other than Shi Qin’s only child, and might even be Shi Qin’s murderer! Man Hua appears unperturbed, and challenges Tian Song to pay his respect to Gao Shi Qin, in which he agrees.
At the train station, Tian Song buys only a ticket for Man Hua, telling her to leave Malaysia, unable to bear seeing Man Hua arrested. Before she leaves, Tian Song asks Man Hua the reason behind her murder of Shi Qin. Man Hua saw her mother trying to commit suicide by drowning herself in the sea, and stood back, understanding that this is the only way for her mother to be freed from so many years of torment. As Tian Song grieves, drops of blood and tears fall on the ground…a sharp dagger was thrust deep into his waist…..Deeply remorseful for the decision he made that ruined Shi Qin’s life, Tian Song does not blame Man Hua for her action. She slowly walks to the train tracks…The din in the train station takes over….
In a daze Tian Song sees Shi Qin again, begging for her forgiveness…. A solitary Wau Bulan with a girl’s face skims the skies, on the ground, we see a young Tian Song and Shi Qin flying a kite freely….. Paper Moon Website – www.papermoonmovie.com
