When Mao Zedong launched the Cultural Revolution in 1968, two young men are sent from the city to the countryside to be reeducated by the poor peasants. The boys are forced to do the less savory work in the village such as carrying the latrine buckets and digging coal in the dangerous and claustrophobic mines. However, the boys keep their hopes alive by recounting the lively films of the cities and making conversation with the beautiful daughter of the local seamstress.
