The film delves into the rich and profound emotional world of Cao Xueqin, one of China’s greatest literary masters, drawing on the most moving chapters of his life. Through an intimate portrayal of his relationships with three pivotal women—Fang Qing, He Xiang, and Yun Mei—the story reveals Cao Xueqin’s deep sensitivity, compassion, and breadth of spirit.
Gao Hongliang
Lili Jin
Jin Niang Sheng
Yuan Mei
Wang Xiaoyi
Ouyang Wenxin
Qi Zimei
The film delves into the rich and profound emotional world of Cao Xueqin, one of China’s greatest literary masters, drawing on the most moving chapters of his life. Through an intimate portrayal of his relationships with three pivotal women—Fang Qing, He Xiang, and Yun Mei—the story reveals Cao Xueqin’s deep sensitivity, compassion, and breadth of spirit.
Wang Tiemei, a single mother, loses her job and moves, befriending neighbor Xiaoye who appears cheerful but is depressed. Their bond grows as Tiemei navigates relationships with her ex-husband causing trouble.
The life of Tao, and those close to her, is explored in three different time periods: 1999, 2014, and 2025.
Captives of the very relationships that define and sustain them, nine women resiliently meet the travails and disappointments of life.
The daughter of a right-winger, schoolgirl Jing Qiu is sent to the countryside for reeducation, and tasked to help write a textbook. There she meets Lao San, a young soldier with a bright future ahead. Despite the class divide and parental disapproval, romance blooms against turbulent times.
Humble, unassuming Ma and timid Cao have been cast off by their families and forced into an arranged marriage. They have to combine their strength and build a home to survive. In the face of much adversity, an unexpected bond begins to blossom, as both Ma and Cao, uniting with Earth's cycles, create a haven for themselves in which they can thrive.
Yu Hong leaves her home village and starts university in Beijing, where she develops a consuming and compulsive relationship with another student. The student riots from 1989 then ensue and take a toll on their lives.
A 17 year old finds out that his girlfriend is dying, so he sets out to give her an entire life, in the last year she has left.
A street vendor with a grim home-life forges a connection with a young woman on her way to Paris.