Unfortunately, it is also a story that repeats itself far too frequently in the rural and remote parts of China. For those who are not familiar with traditional Confucian teachings, they will find it difficult to believe how women are discriminated against but this is an accurate depiction of the real life, traditional teachings of thousands years are still strongly dominates the thinking of the older generation.

Moral tale of a son from a poor family working hard to carry out his studies in a remote Chinese countryside with hints at his efforts and difficulty at reconciling ancient ideas (marrying out the sister to pay the son's studies) with contemporary values (more equality and justice) with no reference (at least from a non-Chinese speaker pont of view) at the Party and melodramatic music under-scoring the capital events of the plot. Beautiful shots and a lot of tact in the realization (at least more than the synopsis would let one to expect) and a pleasure to watch.