film synopsis
Thirty-something, Chinese-born Lina has a loving husband and 10-year-old son in Dong Bei province. But this formerly prosperous industrial area is fading in the face of the New China, and Lina dreams of a better future for her family. In pursuit of that dream, she temporarily relocates to France on the promise of a lucrative job as a nanny. But once in Europe, nothing goes as planned. Like the women who left Dong Bei before her, she finds herself in a line of work that she would never have imagined. Though she finds camaraderie among the other expatriate workers, her shame compels her to hide her situation from her family back home. But she can’t keep reality a secret forever.
Belgian director Olivier Meys’ compassionate first feature film explores this often hidden phenomenon of immigration and hardship for Chinese women in Europe, brought to life through the beautiful and restrained central performance by Qi Xi.