Breaking the Willow

The film presents the journeys of Cui and Hsiao Yu, two women whose lives are shaped by societal expectations and personal aspirations. Cui, from a humble background, seeks comfort through marriage, hoping her husband will achieve a title and bring her the symbolic Phoenix Tierra. However, her dreams come too late to fulfill her desires.

On the other hand, Hsiao Yu, a songstress of royal descent, experiences a fleeting love with the First Scholar. Their wedding is overshadowed by duty when her husband is called to the frontier. The poignant moment of her farewell, adorned in her Phoenix Tierra, highlights her deep emotional connection to her past and her love. This documentary captures the essence of their stories, providing insight into the cultural and historical significance of the Phoenix Tierra in their lives.