Set in southern China during the Cultural Revolution, the film follows Jia Yimin, head of an Anti-Revisionist Hospital Revolutionary Committee, as he purges intellectual doctors and elevates politically favored but unqualified “young heroes.” He assigns Yao Yao, a cook with only days of veterinary training, to operate on a critical patient, resulting in a disastrous mistake. Though Yao Yao admits he is unfit and asks to return to the kitchen,... see more