Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress

The story unfolds between 1971 and 1974, during the tumultuous end of the Chinese Cultural Revolution. This backdrop is significant as it shapes the experiences of the characters and the societal pressures they face.

Luo Min and Ma Jianling arrive at a secluded village in Sichuan province for their re-education. Upon their arrival, they are interrogated by the village Chief about their backgrounds, which sets a tense tone for their stay.

The village Chief scrutinizes the boys, questioning their backgrounds and discarding any bourgeois items from their belongings, including a beloved cookbook. This moment highlights the rigid ideologies of the era and the boys' vulnerability.

In a dramatic confrontation, the Chief attempts to destroy Ma's cherished violin, viewing it as a symbol of bourgeois culture. Luo quickly intervenes by pretending that a Mozart piece is a local mountain song, cleverly preserving the violin.

The boys begin their grueling re-education by participating in harsh labor, including hauling human waste and working in a coal mine. This illustrates the harsh realities of their environment and highlights the physical challenges they face.

Their lives take a turn with the arrival of the Little Seamstress, who becomes a significant part of their world. Captivated by Ma's violin playing, she forges a deep connection with the boys that brings joy and complexity to their lives.

In an effort to enrich the Little Seamstress's life, the boys devise a plan to steal a suitcase filled with banned Western novels. Luo reads to her daily, introducing literary giants, which transforms her worldview and deepens their bond.

As their friendship blossoms, the Little Seamstress admits her feelings for Luo, complicating their dynamics. On the eve of Luo's departure to visit his father, she reveals a 'problem' that weighs heavily on her and will change their lives.

Afterwards, the Little Seamstress confides in Ma about her unexpected pregnancy. Due to strict laws surrounding marriage and abortion, she finds herself trapped, leading them to seek out a solution.

In a selfless act, Ma ventures to the city to ask a gynecologist, a friend of his father, for help regarding the Little Seamstress's pregnancy. Moved by their predicament, the doctor agrees to assist in a clandestine manner.

Returning from the city, Luo discovers that the Little Seamstress has made a bold choice to leave the village in search of a better future. Her decision signifies her transformation sparked by the literature they shared.

By 1974, both boys follow different paths; Luo becomes a professor in Shanghai while Ma pursues a career as a professional violinist in France. Their journeys reflect their personal growth and the impact of their experiences at the village.

In the late 1990s, Ma returns to the village, now under threat of submersion due to the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. He is motivated by nostalgia and hopes to reunite with the Little Seamstress but finds only memories.

In a bittersweet reunion with Luo in Shanghai, Ma shares his search for the Little Seamstress, who remains elusive. Their conversation reveals their mutual sense of loss and the enduring impact of their past.

The film culminates with heart-wrenching news footage of the flooded villages, symbolizing lost time and memories. The imagery captures the essence of change, loss, and the indelible mark of their youth.