Mountains May Depart 2016

In the bustling town of Fenyang back in 1999, Tao, a 25-year-old shopkeeper, finds herself caught in a complex love triangle. On one side is her friend Liangzi, a poor laborer working in a local coal mine, who harbors deep, unreturned feelings for her. On the other is Jinsheng, the arrogant yet wealthy owner of a gas station, whose charm oddly attracts Tao despite his unpleasant nature. This growing affection for Jinsheng ignites tension between her two admirers, culminating in a confrontation that leads Tao and Jinsheng to decide on marriage. However, Liangzi, unable to suppress his feelings and maintain their friendship, ultimately chooses to leave the town.

Fast forward to 2014, Tao is now living a different life, having divorced Jinsheng, but still residing in Fenyang where she runs the gas station and has established herself as a prominent and generous figure in the community. Jinsheng, meanwhile, has moved to Shanghai, enjoying success and wealth from his investments, and has remarried. Liangzi is facing his own struggles, working as a miner near Handan and suffering from illness. During a poignant moment, Tao’s 7-year-old son, Daole (affectionately pronounced “Dollar” in English), visits for the funeral of Tao’s father. Tao, feeling the emotional distance between herself and Daole, projects her frustrations onto him. Aware that their paths are diverging, she makes a heartfelt decision to take the slow train ride with him. As a final token of love, she gifts Daole a set of keys to her house, symbolizing that he is always welcome to return home whenever he wishes.

By 2025, Daole, now known widely as Dollar, is navigating the challenges of college life in Australia. A rebellious spirit, he often clashes with his father over his desire to drop out and reclaim the freedom he lacked during his childhood. Amidst this turmoil, he meets Mia, his Chinese language instructor, an older woman who captivates him and whom he begins to date. Dollar confides in Mia about the keys his mother gave him long ago, expressing his deep-seated fears about her mortality and the years of silence between them. Encouraged by Mia, he decides to return to China to reconnect with Tao. The film concludes with a powerful image of Tao dancing to “Go West,” leaving the audience to ponder the nature of their potential reunion with Dollar lingering just out of reach.