The Sado Way
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Aug 16
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. LIVING ROOM - 17:45
After completing some household chores, PETER settles onto a sofa to check his WhatsApp messages.
PETER (V.O.): I need to meet my client next Saturday at the Castle Peak Bay Immigration Centre.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Before I started working full-time, I frequently visited Castle Peak Bay.
FLASHBACK
EXT. CASTLE PEAK BAY - NIGHT (1971 - 1973)
Peter (17-19) leans against the railing, watching FISHERWOMEN rowing their wooden boats.
PETER (V.O.): They row with effortless grace.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I once attempted to row in a fish pond in Nam Sang Wai, and I learned just how challenging it can be.
Act 2
MONTAGE OF PETER'S PASSION ON ROWING
A. EXT. LAI WAN, LAI CHI KOK - DAY (1973) Peter (19) rows with her GIRLFRIEND.
B. EXT. LAKE, FAIRVIEW PARK - DAY (1983) Peter (29) rows with SHARON.
C EXT. LAKE, UENO PARK - DAY (2021-2023) Peter (67-69) rows alone.
END MONTAGE
INT. HOTEL NIKKO, NIIGATA - DAY (April 2024)
In a high-rise room with a stunning view, Peter and his WIFE are studying the landscape.
PETER: We've a wonderful view of the city of Niigata.
WIFE: But it's quite a distance from here. Fortunately, we've hired a car.
PETER: The hotel is conveniently located next to the pier for Sado Island.
WIFE: We're first-time visitors to Niigata and aren't familiar with the city yet.
PETER: I read in brochures that there're tub-shaped boats on Sado Island.
PETER (V.O.): How to row them? Do they go in circles? Is it easy to maintain balance?
WIFE: We can visit the Sado Island the next time we're here.
INT. HOTEL NIKKO, NIIGATA - NIGHT (27 July, 2025)
In a high-rise room, Peter and his wife focus on the night view of the pier for Sado Island.
PETER (V.O.): As recommended by our younger daughter, the Sado Gold Mine is a must-visit attraction. Would we have the opportunity to try the tub boat?
EXT. OBSERVATION POINT, KITAEBISU - 12: 15 (29 July, 2025)
Sunny and bright. Recreational area. Peter and his wife see a tub boat in a circular water basin and study a sign at the front.
PETER: Have a tub-boat experience?
Peter can't wait to step onto the tub boat carefully.
PETER (Cont'd): Where are the oars?
WIFE: I can see the oar hanging in the loop at the front. Take it out and row.
Taking out the oar, Peter gribs it like a broom. In a sitting position, he starts to paddle. The tub boat spins in circles.
PETER: It isn't much fun...
EXT. SHUKUNEGI TARAI, SADO - 17:15 (29 July 2025)
A BOATWOMAN helps Peter and then his wife take their seats on the tub boat. She then steps onto the front of it and begins to row in a standing positon.
PETER: Oh, the oar in the loop indicates the ready position.
WIFE: I shouldn't have asked you to take it out while you're trying to row.
As the boatwoman employs short, flicking strokes, the tub boat glides forward. Peter is mesmerized.
BOATWOMAN: Traditionally, the tub boat was used for shellfishing.
Peter and his wife nod.
PETER (V.O.): Wow, she speaks perfect English.
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The Sado Way isn't about rowing harder - it's about stirring the water just enough to let it carry us.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): To me, rowing a Sado tub boat is like assembling furniture. At some point, one has to stop fighting and accept the design.
Act 3
INT. LIVING ROOM - 22:45
Peter uploads an image of a boatwoman rowing a tub boat to a draft on his laptop.
PETER (V.O.): The oar remembers what the mind forgets - the Sado Way is just a conversation with the sea.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What appears to be chaos is simply motion waiting to be shaped.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Rowing the Sado Way taught me this: Control is an illusion. Rhythm's everything.
FADE OUT
END
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