Young teen girl Xiu Xiu is sent away to a remote corner of the Sichuan steppes for manual labor in 1975 (sending young people to the country side was a part of Cultural Revolution in China). A year later... This movie is truly incredible on many fronts. Firstly, the story is incredibly moving and powerful, The acting throughout is superb, with the two leads delivering subtle yet powerful performances. The photography and settings are breathtaking, and I didn't find the music intrusive at all...