The Grandmaster (2013)

Ziyi Zhang: Gong Er

Photos 

Quotes 

• Gong Er : Remember when I told you that there is nothing to regret in life? It's all bullshit. If life had no regrets it would be really boring.

• Gong Er : My father would always say, people who practice martial arts go through three stages: seeing yourself, seeing the world, seeing all living beings.

• Ip Man : I have watched you perform in the opera of life. You have shown great timing and skill; however you never went beyond the role you played.

  Gong Er : I had no idea I have such an ardent spectator.

• Gong Er : This opera of mine, applauded or not, will play on to the end. I asked you here to bring things to a close and say what needs to be said.

  Ip Man : Are you going somewhere?

  Gong Er : We have a saying in the North - a tiger never quits the mountain. We've both been living on foreign soil. I'm so very tired. I want to go home. But I wanted to return this to you first. As for the 64 Hands, I've already forgotten them. I was lucky to meet you in my prime. Sadly, my time is running out. To say there are no regrets in life, is just to fool yourself. How boring it would be without regrets. Mr. Ip, to tell you the truth, I cared about you. I don't mind telling you that. It's not a crime to love. But that's all it can ever be. I never said that to anyone before. Seeing you tonight, I don't know why, it just came out. Let's say we suspend this game of chess between us. Take care.

  Ip Man : In life, as in chess, a move once made stays on the board. What we have is simply fate. Your father once said, never give up the faith. Keep the light burning. I hope that one day I'll see the 64 Hands once more.

• Gong Er : My father said mastery had three stages - being, knowing, doing. I know myself. I've seen the world. Sadly, I can't pass on what I know. This is a road I won't see to the end. I hope you will.

• Gong Er : No news is news.

• Gong Er : Every great age presents a choice: to go forward, or stay back. I prefer to stay back, in the happiest times of my life.

• Gong Er : I had considered a career in opera years ago, I had received training. I had thought about it a lot: me on stage performing, and you in the audience watching...

  Ip Man : What if your performance had sold out?

  Gong Er : [smiles]  You flatter me. I would have reserved a seat specifically for you.