Overview:
This iconic clip is from the 1999 Hong Kong film King of Comedy (喜剧之王), directed by Lee Lik-chi and Stephen Chow. It features a poignant and famous interaction between Wan Tin-sau (played by Stephen Chow) and Piu-piu (played by Cecilia Cheung). After Piu-piu decides to leave and return to her difficult life, Tin-sau calls her back multiple times, culminating in the heartfelt, seemingly simple yet profoundly weighted line, "我養你啊!" (I'll support you!). Piu-piu initially rejects him dismissively, but her true, overwhelmingly emotional reaction is revealed moments later as she cries uncontrollably in a taxi. The scene is renowned for its emotional depth, exploring themes of love, responsibility, vulnerability, and the harsh realities faced by the characters.
Characters & Settings:
Characters:
Wan Tin-sau (Stephen Chow): Initially appears contemplative and humble in a white tank top, later changes into a casual, untucked blue-and-white striped shirt and dark trousers. His expressions range from pensive and earnest to awkward, vulnerable, determined, and finally, dejected and heartbroken. He is portrayed as sincere but perhaps naive about the weight of his words.
Piu-piu (Cecilia Cheung): Wears a distinctive brown/tan patterned jacket (possibly faux animal print), a short dark skirt, black thigh-high boots, and has long, dark, flowing hair. She initially appears guarded and distant, her demeanor shifting to challenging, annoyed, and outwardly dismissive/sarcastic. She uses smoking to project coolness or defiance. Her final scene reveals intense, raw, contradictory emotions beneath her tough exterior.
Settings:
Exterior Walkway/Building: The primary interaction occurs outdoors, featuring an upper-level walkway/balcony overlooking a lower path. There's a sense of openness, possibly near the coast (ocean visible, boats parked below).
Taxi Interior: The final emotional reveal takes place within the confined space of a moving taxi's back seat.
Storyboard:
Scene 1 (0:00 - 0:02)
Visual: Interior. Wan Tin-sau (tank top, pensive) watches Piu-piu (patterned jacket, boots, back turned) walk away outside. Cuts to his reflection in a worn mirror.
Audio: Ambient sound.
Purpose: Establish Tin-sau watching Piu-piu leave, setting a contemplative mood.
Scene 2 (0:02 - 0:08)
Visual: Exterior. Piu-piu (patterned jacket, distant expression) walks along a walkway. Tin-sau (now in striped shirt, earnest look) appears above and calls out. She stops, turns with a questioning look.
Audio: Upbeat, wistful music begins. Tin-sau calls "喂!" (Hey!).
Purpose: Tin-sau initiates interaction as Piu-piu departs.
Scene 3 (0:08 - 0:21)
Visual: Cuts between Tin-sau (striped shirt, questioning/earnest) above and Piu-piu (patterned jacket, arms crossed, guarded then challenging expression) below, near railing/ocean.
Audio: Music continues. Dialogue sequence about leaving, going home, going to work, and the challenge: "If I don't work, will you support me?" (唔上班你養我呀?).
Purpose: Reveal Piu-piu's pragmatic/challenging stance against Tin-sau's seemingly simple questions.
Scene 4 (0:21 - 0:32)
Visual: Tin-sau looks thoughtful, then gives an awkward smile and tentative wave. Piu-piu turns resolutely and walks away. Tin-sau watches, his expression falling into disappointment.
Audio: Music continues.
Purpose: Apparent awkward end to the conversation; Piu-piu leaves, Tin-sau looks deflated.
Scene 5 (0:32 - 0:40)
Visual: Piu-piu walks on a lower path near boats. Tin-sau calls again. She stops, turns back looking impatient/annoyed, lights a cigarette defiantly.
Audio: Music continues. Tin-sau calls "喂!". Lighter flick. Piu-piu: "又點呀?" (What now?).
Purpose: Tin-sau persists; Piu-piu shows irritation but waits.
Scene 6 (0:40 - 0:47)
Visual: Close-up on Tin-sau's face (striped shirt). He looks down, gathers courage, looks up with vulnerable determination and honesty.
Audio: Music swells slightly. Tin-sau declares: "我養你啊!" (I'll support you!).
Purpose: The emotional climax – Tin-sau's heartfelt, significant declaration.
Scene 7 (0:47 - 1:05)
Visual: Piu-piu (back turned) stops sharply. Turns slowly, hair whipping, expression momentarily stunned/unreadable. Quickly shifts to a dismissive scoff, walks away fast. Glances back sarcastically while delivering her line. Tin-sau watches, looking heartbroken.
Audio: Music continues. Piu-piu: "你先照顧好自己吧, 傻仔!" (Take care of yourself first, idiot!). Quick footsteps.
Purpose: Piu-piu's complex, outwardly harsh rejection, masking deeper feelings and leaving Tin-sau devastated.
Scene 8 (1:05 - 1:19)
Visual: Inside a moving taxi. View shifts to Piu-piu in the back seat (patterned jacket). Her face shows intense crying (tears streaming) mixed with a large, tearful, struggling smile. She's overcome with raw, contradictory emotion.
Audio: Emotionally charged music. Sounds of crying/sniffling.
Purpose: Reveal Piu-piu's true, powerful emotional reaction to Tin-sau's words, hidden moments before.