2002

Director: Guan Hu
Camera: Wu Di
Producer: Jin Zhongqiang, Zhang Zhenhua, Liu Jianhong
Cast: Ma Yili, Huang Yiqun, Yang Qianqian, Liu Juyong, Lei Junshen, Hu Xiaoguang, Wang Chuanju, Qian Zhi, He Qing
Scenario: Guan Hu, Zhou Guangrong
Art Director: Ping Dong
Sound: Fu Kang

Running time: 125'

This film, told in a roughly three parts centers on the life of three women in Zhuji, southern China. This is the place where the legendary beauty Xi Shi, for the good of her people, helped her general defeat an enemy king. The legend became a famous and oft-performed highlight of the Beijing Opera. Director Guan Hu, in this beautifully filmed work, describes the dilemma of contemporary women in China.

Plot:

The young girl Axi runs a tea stall in Wuxie, a national protected area located in Zhejiang Province. Everyday, Axi shows tourists how to fry tea leaves. Axi's friend Xiaomiao's makes a living by carrying a sedan chair with his elder brother. The three of them work together and enjoy their style of living. But Axi and Xiaomiao also dream of going to Shanghai one day. They begin to save money secretly. One day, Xiaomiao disappears with his elder brother.

Shiyu is a 26-year old teacher has a new student from Shanghai, Haobo. His father hopes that he could pass the national exam for colleges after studies in Zhuji, a town with a tradition of 'farming and learning'. But Haobo cannot get fit in. To win the teacher's attention, Haobo asks her to take him shopping again and again. Shiyu is impressed by the boy's strong personality, but she is busy in preparing her wedding and does not have much time to take care of him. One day, Haobo's runs way. In the process of searching for him, Shiyu fails to get her wedding registration.

Lianwen was the first actress to play the role of Xishi in Zhuji, and has played Xishi for nearly 20 years. Her theater group is planning the next performance: both Lianwen and the young star Xiaoli hope to play the leading role. As an elderly actress, Lianwen works hard to prepare for this. To avoid taking the decision himself, the group leader lets all team members vote who should play Xishi. Lianwen and her husband are going through a divorce. Xiaoli wins the vote and plays Xishi with great success. Lianwen falls ill. The group leader comes to see her and informs her that Xiaoli has been selected by another troupe, so Lianwen shall play Xishi. In Xishi Temple, Lianwen asks all actors to bow before Xishi.

On stage, Lianwen finds Axi and recalls her own past.