In 1924 China, prostitute Yanhong sees no other alternative than leaving her shy son Douzi behind at a training school for Chinese opera. Shitou, an older boy, takes pity on Douzi and he needs it because Master Guan rules his school with an iron fist. The boys are beaten, tortured for forgetting their lines, and so mentally taxed that suicide sometimes is the only option left. Douzi and Shitou become friends and are talented, destined to be great actors, they impress audiences by performing together. Douzi wants more from the friendship, but Shitou doesn't answer his advances. The situation becomes worse when courtesan Juxian manipulates Shitou into rescuing her from the brothel House of Blossoms and marrying her. Through the years, with the political situation in China ever changing and not always for the good, Shitou and Douzi remain close, but will it ever be like old times?—Arnoud Tiele ([email protected])