Nature

The film portrays the life of a young madwoman who is taken in by Xizi's mother and marries Xizi, a man struggling to find a wife. Their union leads to the birth of a son, Zhuzi, but familial tensions surface when Xizi's mother forbids the madwoman from breastfeeding due to her belief that the milk is poisonous. This action sets the stage for a fraught family dynamic, reflecting on the themes of love and rejection.

As Zhuzi matures, the madwoman's return to the village after years of wandering ignites further conflict. Her attempts to support Zhuzi by cutting brambles for his education are met with resistance, showcasing the struggle between maternal instinct and societal rejection. The film encapsulates a raw portrayal of human relationships amidst the harsh realities of rural life, engaging with the complexities of motherhood and familial obligation.