Baocheng, central China, early 1990s. Transfer student Li Xiaolu arrives at Baocheng High and strikes up an intense friendship with Wang Xiaobing, a defiant teen trapped in a crumbling family. After Xiaolu is expelled and sent to another school, the girls’ bond is tested by distance and jealousy. As Xiaobing moves from nursing school to a hospital internship, her home life deteriorates and she becomes fixated on an army future—and on a military instructor who doesn’t return her feelings. Pushed between loyalty, desire, and her mother’s expectations, Xiaobing spirals toward a public breaking point.

"The director successfully created the moments that allowed Verhoeven to powerfully capture almost photographic images of great beauty that make this such a good mood piece"

Richard Trombly, China Indie Film

"Verhoeven’s precise compositions and subtle use of natural light form a consistently attractive frame for the cast"

Derek Elley, Film Business Asia