Mortician (2013) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

The story follows mortuary work as it brings the living face to face with death, grief, custom, and the difficulty of letting go.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Funeral Against Custom

A storm interrupts a family's planned burial, which also conflicts with the village's cremation rule. A funeral master offers an unsettling way to pass the family's curse to a stranger.

Key Events

• Coffin Caught in a Storm — Two villagers seek a funeral master's help after a storm catches their mother's coffin on burial day. Location: A village
• Burial Conflicts with Village Rules — The village requires cremation, but the deceased mother had wanted burial. Location: A village
• A Curse Is Passed to a Stranger — The funeral master advises carrying the coffin through the village to find a stranger who answers to a question. Location: A village

Niu Learns the Mortuary

Niu Xiaobo begins his apprenticeship and learns the practical demands of preparing bodies and conducting services. His inexperience is tested when he is asked to host a funeral, and he hears a warning about wandering after midnight.

Key Events

• Niu Begins His Apprenticeship — Niu Xiaobo is taken in as an apprentice and starts learning funeral work. Characters: Niu Xiaobo Location: The mortuary
• Learning the Work of Farewell — Niu learns that the work includes preparing bodies and conducting funeral services. Characters: Niu Xiaobo Location: The mortuary
• Niu Hosts a Funeral — Despite his inexperience speaking in public, Niu is given responsibility for hosting a funeral. Characters: Niu Xiaobo Location: A funeral service
• The Ceremony Tests Niu — Niu struggles while conducting the funeral ceremony. Characters: Niu Xiaobo Location: A funeral service
• Midnight Warning — Niu is warned not to wander around after midnight because employees say he might encounter an old man. Characters: Niu Xiaobo Location: The mortuary

Bai Faces an Old Attachment

The return of Bai Yujie's former boyfriend revives the history of their relationship and his departure from mortuary work. When an accident victim arrives, Bai fears the body may be his, but the victim is someone else.

Key Events

• Bai's Past Resurfaces — Bai becomes upset when a former boyfriend returns after years away. Characters: Bai Yujie Location: The mortuary
• A Relationship Recalled — Bai recalls that she and her former boyfriend fell in love while studying mortuary work before he left the profession. Characters: Bai Yujie Location: The mortuary
• The Accident Victim Arrives — A body from a car accident arrives, and Bai fears it may be her former boyfriend. Characters: Bai Yujie Location: The mortuary
• Bai's Fear Is Dispelled — The accident victim is revealed to be someone else, leaving Bai to face the feelings the misunderstanding stirred. Characters: Bai Yujie Location: The mortuary

Mr. Wang Cannot Let Go

Mr. Wang's failing memory leads him to switch his wife's body with an unclaimed one. After the family discovers the mistake, he explains his fear of forgetting her, while retirement and possible support are considered.

Key Events

• A Body Is Mistakenly Switched — Mr. Wang's failing memory leads him to switch his wife's body with an unclaimed body. Characters: Mr. Wang Location: The mortuary
• The Family Demands Answers — The mistake is discovered, and the family demands answers and threatens legal action. Characters: Mr. Wang Location: The mortuary
• Mr. Wang Explains His Grief — Mr. Wang admits the switch and says he fears forgetting his wife if he leaves her. Characters: Mr. Wang Location: The mortuary
• Retirement Is Considered — The bosses are notified and plan to force Mr. Wang to retire, while others consider what can be done for him. Characters: Mr. Wang Location: The mortuary

Story Breakdown

• Storm-Stranded Coffin — A village family faces a conflict between its mother's burial wish and local custom.
  • Burial Meets Cremation Rule — The village requires cremation despite the mother's wish for burial.
  • A Stranger Takes the Curse — A funeral master advises the family to carry the coffin through the village and find a stranger who answers.
• Niu's New Apprenticeship — Niu enters mortuary work and learns the responsibilities of helping families through funerals.
  • Learning Funeral Work — Niu learns about preparing bodies and conducting services.
  • An Uneasy Newcomer — Niu is nervous around the dead and inexperienced in public.
• First Funeral Duties — Niu is given responsibility for hosting a funeral and struggles with the ceremony.
  • Hosting the Ceremony — Niu takes on the public role of hosting a funeral.
  • Midnight Warning — Employees warn him not to wander after midnight because he might encounter an old man.
• Bai's Returned Past — A former boyfriend's return reawakens Bai's memories and unsettled feelings.
  • Love and Departure — Bai recalls that they fell in love while studying mortuary work and separated after he left the profession.
  • Accident Victim Mistaken — Bai fears an arriving accident victim is her former boyfriend, but learns it is someone else.
• Mr. Wang's Loss — Mr. Wang's failing memory and grief lead him to keep his wife's body near him.
  • Bodies Are Switched — He switches his wife's body with an unclaimed one, imagining she is merely asleep.
  • The Family Confronts Him — The family discovers the mistake, demands answers, and threatens legal action.
• Retirement and Aftermath — Mr. Wang admits his reason for the switch, and those around him consider what should happen next.
  • Fear of Forgetting — Mr. Wang says he is afraid he will forget his wife if he leaves her.
  • A Difficult Decision — The bosses plan to force his retirement while others consider how to help him.

Directed by

Cub Chin Kong-Hon

Key Cast

• Bao Bei'er — Niu Xiaobo
• Jim Chim Sui-Man
• Janice Man Wing-San
• Stanley Fung Shui-Fan — Mr. Wang
• Monica Mok Siu-Kei — Bai Yujie