Back to 1942 2012

In the frigid winter of 1942, set against the backdrop of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the province of Henan transforms into a perilous combat zone for survival. Wealthy landlord Master Fan holds the key to his family’s survival as well as that of his villagers amidst a rampant famine. However, tragedy strikes when bandits invade their village, leading to the devastating loss of Fan’s son. With his home now a dangerous place, he must flee with his daughter, wife, and daughter-in-law, accompanied by the steadfast servant Shuanzhu. As they journey westward, they seek refuge and join forces with fellow villager Xialu and his family. Yet, their struggles are compounded when NRA soldiers seize their dwindling food supplies, all while Japanese aircraft bombard the area relentlessly.

The dire circumstances lead to a loss of faith as Brother Sim, once an ardent preacher of Catholicism, grapples with the overwhelming despair of starvation and suffering. He begins to wonder about the existence of God in such tumultuous times. Meanwhile, journalist Theodore H. White, determined to unveil the stark realities of the famine, delves into the heart of Henan. His harrowing findings expose a Nationalist Government more focused on self-preservation than aiding the afflicted, with Chiang Kai-shek controversially pondered the surrender of Henan to the Japanese. Ultimately, White’s eye-opening exposé ignites a shift in government policies, but the distribution of relief supplies unveils a lamentable truth; corruption and greed plague the region.

As calamity befalls Master Fan and his family crumbles, he is driven to desperate measures, eventually selling his daughter into prostitution just to survive. With hope all but extinguished, he embarks on a journey towards the east, yearning for a resolution to his suffering near his homeland. During this heart-wrenching journey, he encounters a young girl who has been rendered an orphan by the ravages of war. Taking her under his wing, he adopts her as his granddaughter, forming an unexpected and tender bond amidst the harrowing trials they both face together.