WOMAN SESAME OIL MAKER

In a rural area in China, Xiang was sold as a Child Bride to her present husband, a man with a lame leg, when she was seven. She has an intellectually disabled son Dunzi, who suffers from epilepsy and is now grown up, and a younger daughter Zhi’er. Through her diligence, she has started a successful sesame oil mill and now becomes the richest person in her village.
A Japanese businesswoman decides to invest in her business after visiting her mill. Meanwhile, Xiang tries to find a bride for her son. She organizes her son’s marriage with Huanhuan, a peasant girl whose family is in difficult financial situation.
One night, Dunzi nearly strangles Huanhuan to death during a fit. Huanhuan runs back home, but her mother-in-law makes sure she returns. Huanhuan witnesses her drunk father-in-law beating Sister Xiang in bed. She also witnesses Xiang’s affaire with family friend Ren, who fathered her daughter Zhi’er.
Ren later initiates a break-up with Xiang. Xiang falls ill. She is heartbroken, despite her sesame oil being awarded top prize by the provincial government.
Xiang gradually realizes that Huanhuan, like her, suffers as a kindred spirit. She decides to release Huanhuan by asking Huanhuan to go for a divorce. But Huanhuan states that her life is already ruined. She then breaks down.