Peacock

The narrative spans a transitional era in China when reform and opening were just beginning to take root. Rural communities grapple with new economic realities, shifting ambitions, and evolving gender roles. The setting uses this timeframe to heighten the contrast between dream and reality for each sibling.

Set in a small town in Mainland China, the story unfolds amid factory life, schools, and local markets that define daily life. The environment reflects the era’s social pressures, family duties, and communal judgments that shape the characters’ choices. The town serves as a microcosm of larger changes sweeping through rural China during this period.

👪 Family

The film centers on a tightly knit, conflicted family where love, duty, and rivalry coexist. Parental attention to one child often contrasts with the needs of others, revealing how affection can both unite and strain siblings. The parents’ protective instincts drive practical decisions that redefine each child’s path. Across trials, the family’s resilience becomes the bedrock of the siblings’ journeys.

🎯 Dreams

Dreams propel Weihong to seek adventure and recognition beyond the town’s confines. Her pursuit—whether through a crush on an army officer or a personal project like the parachute—reflects a longing for meaning and escape. The narrative tracks how aspirations clash with social limits and the compromises required to survive. Ultimately, dreams intersect with reality, shaping choices and future outcomes.

♿ Stigma & Acceptance

Weiguo’s vulnerability exposes how disability and difference invite ridicule yet also reveal moments of care within the family. The town’s gossip and bullying contrast with acts of loyalty and responsibility from loved ones. The story examines how communities respond to those who don’t fit conventional norms, and how acceptance can emerge from steadfast, quiet support. The arc emphasizes dignity, resilience, and the cost of social exclusion.

🌆 Change & Modernization

The town becomes a lens for China’s broader transition from purely agrarian life to emerging industrial and social reforms. Economic ambitions, factory work, and education introduce new opportunities and tensions in traditional routines. The period’s shifts pressure characters to re-evaluate roles, relationships, and what it means to belong in a rapidly changing society.