In 1905, revolutionist Sun Yat-Sen visits Hong Kong to discuss plans with Tongmenghui members to overthrow the Qing dynasty. But when they find out that assassins have been sent to kill him, they assemble a group of protectors to prevent any attacks.

In 1933, as the flames of the Anti-Japanese War spread along the Great Wall front, Wu Zhanyuan (played by Fan Yulin), a regiment commander of a North China army unit, is wounded in battle and reassigned to the relatively peaceful village of Taiping Valley. However, tensions rise between the villagers and the soldiers. During this time, a village widow named Shuihua (played by Li Meike) catches Wu’s attention. The unexpected arrival of Japanese troops shatters the long-standing peace of the village. It turns out Wu’s stationed post is not just a quiet valley, but the strategic stronghold of Taipingyu. Facing a massive Japanese assault, Wu, determined to protect innocent villagers, resolves to sacrifice himself. He leads his outnumbered troops in a fierce and brutal battle against the invaders…

Young Dutch director made an (almost) entirely Chinese film. In a city where everything is new, an outsider is in any case no more out of place than the locals. Cinematographic portrait of modern life in the mega-city of Shanghai is made up of three separate stories about dreams and loves of twentysomethings.