Home Bitter Home

Title: 归 Home Bitter Home

Theme: Love and sense of belonging

Genre: Drama / Comedy

Synopsis

The story follows an old terminally ill man who leave his home to die as a homeless
for the sake of a free burial, decides to help mending the life of a homeless young adult he
met. Uncle Liu, is a dying Chinese old man who strongly believe that a proper burial is a
must to bring blessing to his descendants. His son has spent most of his savings for his
treatment after he has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. After knowing the high
cost of a funeral, he comes out with a crazy plan to ease his only son’s financial problem.
He decides to leave his home to Penang and dies as a homeless for the sake of a free burial
after knowing inadvertently that an unclaimed body will end up being handled by local
religious body for a proper burial. In Penang, he saves a homeless young adult, Boon Hock,
who has stolen and pawned Uncle Liu’s watch, from a situation where Boon Hock is falsely
accused by a tourist for stealing his money. In return, Boon Hock decides to help him to
survive as a homeless in his remaining days and fulfills his death wish by informing his
family after the burial of his body. At the same time, Uncle Liu also tries to help mending
Boon Hock’s life and encourages him to work as a tour guide after realizing Boon Hock
has a ready tongue and knows the Georgetown area like the back of his hand. Throughout
the journey, they keep learning from each other and start seeing things from a different
perspective.

Characters

1. Uncle Liu

• Male
• Chinese
• 70 years old
• Terminally ill, has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer
• Conservative, a man of few words, doesn’t know how to express his love and care
to his son
• Spent most of his time in working as a provider to the family and didn’t spend much
time with his son
• Superstitious, believe that a proper burial is needed to bring blessing to descendants

2. Boon Hock

• Male
• Chinese
• Smoker
• 25 years old
 • Homeless, orphan and lives on street for few years
• Has crime record, was once driven by bad company towards petty crime
• Smart, always play petty tricks to survive on the street
• Has a ready tongue and knows the Georgetown area like the back of his hand, where
Uncle Liu then discovers and encourages Boon Hock to work as a tour guide

3. Wei You

• Male
• Chinese
• 30 years old
• Uncle Liu’s son
• Not close with Uncle Liu
• Spends most of his saving for Uncle Liu’s treatment
• Blames Uncle Liu for taking upon himself to run away from home and cause him
so much trouble
• Doesn’t even pay Uncle Liu a visit after knowing his death

4. Rui Hong

• Female
• Chinese
• 30 years old
• Uncle Liu’s daughter-in-law

5. Hong Wei

• Male
• Chinese
• 6 years old
• Uncle Liu’s grandson

6. Shop Owner

• Male
• Chinese
• 45 years old
• Owner of a watch shop in Georgetown
• Despises homeless
• Has conflict with Boon Hock and Uncle Liu
• Makes a complaint to Jabatan Kebajikan Malaysia which brings to the arrest of Boon
Hock by law enforcement officers
1. INT. COFFIN SHOP -DAY

An old man, Uncle Liu is following the coffin shop owner who
keeps bringing him around and introducing those stuff non-stop.
Uncle Liu keeps looking around, doesn’t even say a word. They
then stop in front of a coffin.

SHOP OWNER (pats the coffin)

Nah, this is the cheapest coffin here, only 6 thousand, but it
confirm stil can bring blessing to your grand grand grand
children.

UNCLE LIU (looks at the coffin and pauses a while)

Do you have anything cheaper?

The smile vanishes from the shop owner’s face.

SHOP OWNER
You just want to come here simply kacao isn’t it? Keep asking
cheaper cheaper cheaper.

Another customer comes and calls the owner.

SHOP OWNER (yells in distance)

Alright boss, I’m coming!
(turns to Uncle Liu)
If you don’t have money, then don’t die la! Go away, don’t
kacao me do my business!

The shop owner walks away, leaving Uncle Liu standing there

2. INT. UNCLE LIU’S HOUSE -NIGHT

Through a dim light, we can see a really old and simple house.
Uncle Liu and his family are having dinner, with awkward
silence at dining table. Uncle Liu’s daughter-in-law, Rui Hong
is busy feeding her son, Hong Wei. The radio is having a news
report about homelessness in Malaysia.

RADIO (O.S.)
Over the years, there has been an increase in the number of
homeless people...
RUI HONG Dear, the hospital had just sent us the bill, they
also ask us to clear the previous fee too.

WEI YOU
Got it.

Uncle Liu looks at his son, Wei You, but words stick at his
throat.

WEI YOU
I’m full, I’m going out soon.

UNCLE LIU
Going to Singapore to work again?

WEI YOU
Where else do you think the money for your treatment come from?

Wei You walks to kitchen with his dishes, without looking at

Uncle Liu once. The news report still carries on.

RADIO (O.S.)
...the burial for the unclaimed body will be carried out by NGO
such as...

The news report captures Uncle Liu’s attention. He puts down

his chopsticks and starts paying attention to it.

HONG WEI
Grandpa, eat.

Uncle Liu is then interrupted. He looks at Rui Hong and Hong

Wei thoughtfully.

3. INT. UCNLE LIU’S ROOM -CONTINUOUS

Uncle Liu is searching something in a drawer, with an old

travel bag lying besides him. He soon takes out a film camera
and a roll film.

UNCLE LIU
(inserts the roll film) Seems like this is the only one.

He looks around, his eyes then fall on the family photo on the
table. He points the camera at the family photo and then
presses the shutter. The title of the film "[U+5F52] Home bitter
home" then shows up.
 3.

4. INT. LONG-DISTANCE BUS -CONTINUOUS

Uncle Liu is in a long-distance bus. He looks out of the window

thoughtfully while pulling the blanket closer around him.

5. EXT. GEORGETOWN -DAY & NIGHT -MONTAGE

A) Cutaway of iconic Penang building, shown as if through Uncle

Liu’s camera lens.

B) Cutaway of homeless in Georgetown Area, shown as if through

Uncle Liu’s camera lens.

C) Uncle Liu is wandering around in Georgetown aimlessly and

helplessly.

6. EXT. PARK -DAY

Uncle Liu is awakened by a familiar voice. He opens his eyes

and sees his grandson looking at him.

HONG WEI
Grandpa...grandpa...

But soon he realizes he had just mistook a kid for his

grandson. The kid’s mother comes and takes his son away.

KID’S MOTHER
I told you how many times already, don’t get so near to this
kind of people, later you will be bitten by flea.

They walks away. The kid halfway turns back and waves goodbye
to Uncle Liu. Uncle Liu smiles and waves back.

7. EXT. KOMTAR BUS TERMINAL -CONTINUOUS

Uncle Liu is carrying his travel bag, walking along a busy

pavement. He soon realizes that something’s wrong as his vision
starts to get blurry and he’s getting out of breath. When he’s
about to fall down, he is held tight by a person. He looks up
and sees a young guy.
BOON HOCK
Uncle, are you ok?
 4.

8. EXT. KOMTAR BUS TERMINAL -CONTINUOUS

Uncle Liu sits on a bench, drinking water.

UNCLE LIU
Thanks a lot.

BOON HOCK
It’s nothing, drink more water as it recently very hot. Well, I
make a move first ya uncle.

Uncle Liu looks at Boon Hock who’s leaving with a grateful

look. However, Boon Hock now has a smirk on his face while
taking a look at a watch he just stole from Uncle Liu.

9. EXT. PAWNSHOP -CONTINUOUS

Boon Hock walks out from a pawnshop while counting some notes.

BOON HOCK
Damn it, only this much.

He doesn’t pay attention and then bumps into a tourist

accidentally.

BOON HOCK
Oi! Are you fucking blind!

Boon Hock then walks away. The tourist checks his pockets and
then realizes that his wallet is gone. He mistakethoughts Boon
Hock who is o’s keeping money into his pocket for stealingstole
his wallet. He quickly approaches Boon Hock and grabs him.

TOURIST
Give me back my wallet! Or else I call the police!

BOON HOCK
Are you fucking nuts!

TOURIST
Don’t play dumb with me! What’s that in your pocket!

They are soon being surrounded by crowd. Some starts whispering

in the crowd.
 PASSER-BY A
I saw this homeless before, he always wandering at this area.
PASSER-BY B Didn’t expect he would steal other’s wallet, geez.

TOURIST
I see, you are a homeless huh, let’s go to police station!

UNCLE LIU
Hold on a second!

Everyone goes quiet and their eyes fall on Uncle Liu who’s
holding a wallet in the crowd.

10. EXT. BUS STOP -CONTINUOUS

Uncle Liu and Boon Hock sits side by side on a bench.

BOON HOCK
Err, thanks, luckily you found his wallet on street.

UNCLE LIU
It’s alright.

BOON HOCK
If nothing else, I leave first.

Boon Hock quickly stands up and wanna run away from Uncle Liu.

UNCLE LIU
My watch.

BOON HOCK
Huh? What are you saying?

UNCLE LIU
I know you stole my watch.

Boon Hock sneers at him, and then sits back.

BOON HOCK
Are you nuts? You knew I stole your watch, but still willing to
help me just now?

UNCLE LIU You do steal my watch but his wallet is really not
stolen by you.
Boon Hock is amused by what he said.
 BOON HOCK
Haha,ok I got it, give me your address, i will send your watch
to you one day. It’s already late, just go home lah.

UNCLE LIU
I don’t have a home here.

Boon Hock is surprised hearing that.

CUT TO:

11. EXT. BUS STOP -CONTINUOUS

Thinking about the plan Uncle Liu had just told him, Boon Hock
can’t hold his laughter.

BOON HOCK
You are really a crazy old man, running away from home at this
age? Haha!

Uncle Liu remains silent, Boon Hock feels a little bit guilty
about his misbehaviorremarks.

BOON HOCK (clears his throat)

Alright, so you are saying that you wanna die without being
recognized,so that your unclaimed body can get a free burial
huh?

UNCLE LIU
Yes.

BOON HOCK
But I can guarantee you, you ain’t gonna survive on the street
for more than one week, they will soon be able to find your
family.

UNCLE LIU
Then how?

Boon Hock takes a glance at Uncle Liu’s wrist, thinking about

the watch he just stole, he sighs.

BOON HOCK
Alright then, let me teach you how to be a homeless, it’s all
about four words, "Yi Shi Zhu Xing". (A
(MORE)
 BOON HOCK (cont’d) Chinese idiom which refers to the
basic aspects of daily life, which is Yi (clothing), Shi
(food), Zhu (shelter), Xing (transportation)

12. EXT. GEORGETOWN -DAY & NIGHT -MONTAGE

A) Yi (clothing): Boon Hock introduces Uncle Liu that there are

people from NGO who randomly come to deliver free clothes.

B) Shi (food): Boon Hock introduces Uncle Liu that the time
schedule of different NGO delivering free food to homeless.

C) Zhu (shelter): Boon Hock introduces Uncle Liu the criteria

in searching for a suitable temporary shelter.

D) Xing (transportation): Boon Hock brings Uncle Liu taking

Penang free shuttle bus, walking around different areas. He
also reminds him to watch out for those law enforcement
officers who will bring those homeless to homeless shelter if
they receive any complain.

13. EXT. GEORGETOWN -DAY

Boon Hock and Uncle Liu sees a shop owner pouring water to a
sick homeless who’s just having a rest in front of his shop.

BOON HOCK
Oi! What are you doing!

Uncle Liu and Boon Hock helps carrying the homeless.

SHOP OWNER
Go away! Don’t make my shop dirty! Or else I call JKM to arrest
you guys!

BOON HOCK (being held back by Uncle Liu)

What the fuck are you saying!

SHOP OWNER
Trying to act tough huh? You guys really hopeless,look at you,
only 20 something but even lazy to get a job!

Uncle Liu feels angry and tries to argue with him but Boon Hock
doesn’t even say a word and simply walks away, leaving Uncle
Liu at a loss.
 8.

14. EXT. GEORGETOWN -CONTINUOUS

Uncle Liu tries to catch up Boon Hock.

UNCLE LIU
Oi! Boon Hock!
Boon Hock doesn’t reply and even hasten his pace.

UNCLE LIU
He actually didn’t say it wrong, why don’t you just find a job?

Boon Hock stops and walks towards Uncle Liu with his face
flushing with anger.

BOON HOCK
Stop acting like you know me so well! Just take care of
yourself will do, you this dying old man!

Boon Hock then walks away, leaving Uncle Liu standing there.

15. EXT. GEORGETOWN -NIGHT

Boon Hock sits at roadside, taking out a cigarette. He doesn’t

notice Uncle Liu behind him.

UNCLE LIU
Don’t smoke so much.

BOON HOCK (lighting up a cigarette)

Don’t act like you are my father.

Uncle Liu sits besides him.

UNCLE LIU
I have stage four lung cancer, can do nothing with it anymore.

Boon Hock pauses for a while, then butts the cigarette.

BOON HOCK
Sorry for saying those things to you.

UNCLE LIU
It’s alright.
BOON HOCK (looks into distance)
I did try to find a job, but who wants to hire a homeless who’s
even caught stealing before? I can only do some part time
sometimes with damn low pay. He is right, I’m really hopeless.
(turns to Uncle Liu)
So you really don’t want to go home anymore? They must be
worrying about you.

UNCLE LIU (shakes his head)

I can’t spend their money anymore, I just wanna get a burial
after I’m diead to brings blessing to them.
(pass Boon Hock a small note)
Sorry to trouble you but please do me a favor, contact my son
after my body is buried.

BOON HOCK
(keeps the note) Alright then.

They sit there, enjoying the night view of Georgetown.

16. EXT. GEORGETOWN -DAY

Boon Hock is making a call at phone booth, with the note in his
hand.

BOON HOCK
Oi, is this Uncle Liu’s son?

WEI YOU
Who are you? Why do you have my number?

BOON HOCK
Just cut the bullthsit! Hey, how can you let your sick father
wandering in Penang, faster take him back home!

WEI YOU
I see, he even ran to Penang huh? Why does he always do things
wihthout considering others! I’ve had enough of his bullshit!
 BOON HOCK
Hey! How could you say that! Do you know...

WEI YOU
Listen! From now, I don’t even care whether he’s dead or alive!

BOON HOCK
Son of a bitch! You...

Wei You straighaway hung up the phone. Boon Hock slams the
phone angrily.

17. EXT. GEORGETOWN -DAY

Boon Hock and Uncle Liu are having lunch. They then see a
foreigner who’s keep looking at a map, seems to be at a loss.
Boon Hock puts down his lunch box and approcahes him.

BOON HOCK
Hi there, u seem lost, how can i help you?

FOREIGNER
Thanks God, do you know how to get to this Char Koay Teow
stall?

BOON HOCK
Well, it’s famous but it doesn’t really taste that good tho, i
would suggest you to go to...

Uncle Liu looks at Boon Hock with a smile of relief. After a

while, Boon Hock is back.

UNCLE LIU
You even know how to speak english?

BOON HOCK
Just a lil bit, why can’t I anyway, just because I’m homeless?

UNCLE LIU
Well, you can speak english, and you know this place so well,
why don’t you be a tour guide?

BOON HOCK
Haha, are you nuts? Just shut up and eat your lunch.
(put a meat to Uncle Liu’s lunch box)
 11.

Uncle Liu just smiles and continues having his lunch. Boon Hock
looks at his lunch box thoughtfully, keeps thinking what Uncle
Liu had just said.

18. EXT. GEORGETOWN -DAY

A Chinese tour guide who’s holding a small flag keeps

explaining some boring facts to a foreign family in broken
english. Those foreigners are dispirited by those overwhelming
amount of information.

CHINESE TOUR GUIDE

Okay, i need to go toilet, you wait me, don’t go ah.

He doesn’t realize Boon Hock is following behind and a smirk

shows up on his face after he heard what the tour guide said.
After a while, Boon Hock shows up with the small flag in front
of the foreign family.

BOON HOCK
Hi mate! I’m Mr.Yang and I will take over Mr. Lim as he’s...not
feeling quite well.

CUT TO:

INT. TOILET -CONTINUOUS

The Chinese tour guide is yelling for help as the door knob is
stucked by a mop.

BACK TO:

19. EXT. GEORGETOWN -CONTINUOUS

BOON HOCK
Well, let me show you guys what really fun about this city.
Shall we?

20. EXT. GEORGETOWN -CONTINUOUS -MONTAGE

Boon Hock brings the family to lots of fun places and

introduces them good food.
 12.

19. EXT. GEORGETOWN -CONTINUOUS

The father from the family shakes Boon Hock’s hand.

FATHER
Thanks mate! You are really awesome!

BOON HOCK
It’s my pleasure...

Two men show up from behind and grab Boon Hock before he can
finish his sentence. The Chinese tour guide is wet with sweat.

TOUR GUIDE
Son of a bitch! What company are you from! Where’s your
license!

BOON HOCK
Huh? License?

TOUR GUIDE
Stop pretend! I know you...Hey! What’s wrong with you!

Boon Hock starts gasping for air, seems like suffering from
real pain. Those two men who are grabbing him are panic and
start loosing him. Boon Hock quickly pushes them aside and run
away. After running away in a distance, he turns back and makes
a gentleman’s bow to the family.

BOON HOCK
It’s my pleasure to serve you, have a good day!

He then runs away.

20. EXT. GEORGETOWN -NIGHT

Boon Hock is sharing the funny incident with Uncle Liu,

laughing so hard.

UNCLE LIU
Well, just get a license then.

BOON HOCK
It’s easy to just say, where do I get the money for it.
 UNCLE LIU
You will never know if you don’t give it a try, you finally
found something you like, just go for it.

Uncle Liu takes out some wrinkled notes from his bag and pass
them to Boon Hock.

UNCLE LIU
That’s all I have. Take it.

Boon Hock is touched by his act. He holds back his tears and
gently push away Uncle Liu’s hand.

BOON HOCK
Just keep it yourself lah. Well, you hungry now?

They walks away into distance on the street.

21. INT. TEMPORARY SHELTER -DAY

Boon Hock is packing some things in a hurry. When he’s about to

leave, Uncle Liu calls him and starts helping him to tidy up
his clothes.

UNCLE LIU
First time go to school, gotta looks good, give them good
impression.

BOON HOCK
Haha, I just wanna go to ask about registration only lah.

Even so, Boon Hock still stands still and lets Uncle Liu
continue tidying his clothes.

UNCLE LIU
(murmurs) I had always been working, didn’t even have
much time spending with you, and now you are no longer a kid,
it’s so hard to even have a chat with you...
(pats Boon Hock’s shoulder)
Alright, it’s done.

After Boon Hock leaves, Uncle Liu starts coughing in agony.

 14.

22. INT. TOURISM ACADEMY -CONTINUOUS

After entering the office, Boon Hock keeps looking around, seems
to be at a loss. An admin lady sees him and greets.
ADMIN LADY
Hi sir, how can I help you?
Boon Hock nods nervously then walks towards her.

23. INT. TEMPORARY SHELTER -NIGHT

After seeing Boon Hock coming back, Uncle Liu quickly takes a
few sips of water, trying to stop coughing.

UNCLE LIU
What took you so long?

Boon Hock doesn’t reply. He just put the dinner in front of

Uncle Liu and then walks to the other side.

UNCLE LIU (walks towards Boon Hock)

So when will you start going to school?

Boon Hock knits his brows, doesn’t say a word. He keeps trying
to light up his lighter but fails to do so.

UNCLE LIU
I’m asking you...

BOON HOCK (smashes the lighter on the floor)

Can you just fuck off! School? Where the fuck am I going to get
four thousand for that!

UNCLE LIU
As long as...

Uncle Liu can’t hold in his cough anymore and his legs are
limp. Boon Hock quickly grabs him, looking worry.

CUT TO:
 15.

24. INT. TEMPORARY SHELTER -CONTINUOUS

Uncle Liu and Boon Hock are sitting together. Uncle Liu looks
abit better but still weak.

UNCLE LIU (takes out a small old photo)

This guy is my son, Wei You.

BOON HOCK
Just shut up and take a rest.

UNCLE LIU
(passes Boon Hock the photo) He is like you, really
smart...

Boon Hock takes the photo. There are Uncle Liu with his family
in the photo.

UNCLE LIU
He wanted to be an emcee, but I told him no, you are not going
to make a living by that. We had a fight about it, he probably
still hates me for forcing him doing work he doesn’t like right
now.
(turns to Boon Hock)
If you really like it, just go for it. You will regret if you
don’t do it.

Boon Hock stares at the photo thoughtfully.

25. INT. TEMPORARY SHELTER -DAY

Uncle Liu is woken by some noise. Boon Hock seems about to go

out.

UNCLE LIU
It’s so early, where are you going to?

BOON HOCK
Well, I ain’t gonna get four thousand by just sitting here
isn’t it? I’m going to get some part time. By the way I already
bought you your lunch.

Uncle Liu looks at him with a smile of relief.

 16.

26. EXT. GEORGETOWN -DAY -MONTAGE

A) Boon Hock works hard by taking a few part time jobs.

B) Boon Hock takes care of Uncle Liu whose condition is getting

worse.

27. INT. TOURISM ACADEMY -DAY

The admin lady is busy with her stuff at reception desk. She
then realizes someone had came in.

ADMIN LADY
Hi sir, how...

A full wrinkled envelop is thrown to the desk. She looks up and

sees a young guy who is wet with sweat and even has some stains
on his face, standing in front of her.

BOON HOCK (full with excitement)

I want to register!

CUT TO:

28. INT. TEMPORARY SHELTER -NIGHT

BOON HOCK
Cheers!

UNCLE LIU
Cheers!

BOON HOCK
The dinner is on me, let’s eat!

Uncle Liu and Boon Hock is sitting on cardboard, celebrating

Boon Hock’s registration. Boon Hock’s face already turns red,
after a few mouthful of beer, he sits up straight and clears
his throat.

BOON HOCK (toasts to Uncle Liu)

This is for you! Thanks for everything!

Right after saying, Boon Hock can’t control his emotion

anymore. He covers his mouth and starts crying like a kid.
UNCLE LIU (gently pats Boon Hock’s head)
Aiyo, why are you crying like a kid? Don’t you feel
shame[U+FF1F]

Boon Hock still keeps crying. Uncle Liu holds him and gently
pats his back.

UNCLE LIU
Alright alright, just cry it out, I know you have been going
through a lot of hardship.

CUT TO:

29. INT. TEMPORARY SHELTER -CONTINUOUS

After a while, Boon Hock starts wiping away his tears but then
he sees the shop owner who had conflict with them last time
standing not far away, talking to two law enforcement officers
while pointing at them.

BOON HOCK
Fuck!

Boon Hock quickly picks Uncle Liu up and run away. The two
officers start chasing after them.

30. EXT. BACK ALLEY -CONTINUOUS

They runs to a back alley but they still can hear the voice of
those two officers. However, Uncle Liu starts coughing in agony
and gasping for air, way more worse than before.

BOON HOCK
I have to hand you to them! You need to go to hospital!

Uncle Liu holds Boon Hock’s hand tightly. He still can’t say a
word due to coughing, but he keeps shaking his head and looking
at Boon Hock imploringly. And his cough seems drawing the
attention of those officers.

OFFICER
Mereka kat sana!

After some hesitation, Boon Hock quickly hides Uncle Liu behind
some cardboard boxes nearby.
BOON HOCK You stay here, I will be right back!

Boon Hock then runs out of the alley. He shouts at those

officers and shows them middle finger. He then quickly runs
away.

CUT TO:

31. EXT. BACK ALLEY -CONTINUOUS

Uncle Liu weakly pushes those cardboard boxes away. He takes

out his family photo and stares at it for a while. He then
tears it off and throws it into the drain besides him.

CUT TO:

32. EXT. GEORGETOWN -CONTINUOUS

Boon Hock fails to run away and gets caught by those two
officers. He is pinned down to the ground by them.

33. EXT. COLUMBARIUM -DAY

Boon Hock is standing in font of a columbarium unit. He puts a

watch in front of it.

BOON HOCK
I have brought you back your watch.

A janitor passes by and sees him.

JANITOR
Are you his son?

Boon Hock turns to him and shakes his head.

JANITOR
I feel pity for him, his family never pay him a visit till now.
(walks away)

Boon Hock turns back and looks at the unit a while before he
walks away.
 19.

34. EXT. GEORGETOWN -DAY

Boon Hock passes by the same old place where he used to stay
with Uncle Liu. But now he is no longer a homeless he used to
be, he is now a tour guide, following by a bunch of tourists.
He stares at the place for a while, then continues bring those
tourists to the next destination.

35. ENDING & CREDIT

Photos that Uncle Liu took throughout the story shows up with
facts and statistics regarding homelessness issue in Penang.