Robert van Dijk

A tense father and mother prepare a visit to their son, whose birthday it is. The father is sent out to find a gift. When he comes home, his wife points out that he has chosen something inappropriate. That would only scare their son. They will have to bring something else. Their teenage daughter decides to stay home. It is soon clear that things are not going smoothly with the son and this family.

Yulin, a Chinese farm woman, leads a tough life - she's poor, childless, and constantly abused by her husband. Her only escape in life is making mud dolls and fantasizing about a better life.