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THE FILM / THE SYNOPSIS
"28"
A Modern Day Tale
 

Part I. A Chinese Lesson in NYC: Rulan meets Adam

 

  • Rulan Jiang, raised and educated in a remote Chinese village, arrives in New York, with the promise of a scholarship, and all the dogged determination of youth.

  • Now at 28, six years have passed, and her dreams to build a school in her father’s name, seem further away.

  • Disillusioned, Rulan struggles to maintain a livelihood by teaching Chinese lessons to wealthy pupil, Adam Goldman, a spoiled slacker with whom she shares completely different origins, upbringings, values, and maturity. It ultimately results in Rulan quitting.

  • Soon after, Adam’s father arranges for him to go represent their garment business at their partner base in Chengdu, China, and Rulan reluctantly agrees to accompany him as his defacto translator. This journey would ultimately change ​both ​their lives.

 

Part II. A life-changing journey to China

 

  • After a strike incident in Chengdu, Rulan is appalled by how easily Adam is manipulated by Jennifer Huang, the sultry factory owner's right-hand. Her unethical ways to downplay the Chinese worker's conditions, could hinder the establishment of a successful contract with the Goldmans.

  • Concerned about her father who is turning 60, Rulan asks for time off to afford a weekend visit to her hometown. A hot‐headed Adam confronts her about family values and winds up tagging along out of spite.

  • In the secluded village of Shuzheng, Adam is obliged to stay for the next day bus and meets Rulan’s family. He clumsily adapts to their way of life.

  • A “westernized” Rulan struggles to reconnect with her family, customs, and culture.

  • Humorous misunderstandings fill up the visit, ​but end the next day, with Adam get​ting​ bullied and nearly killed from a powerful asthma attack. Luckily, he is saved by an acupuncturist friend of the family who not only revives and heals his physical life, but sparks a light within him that guides him on a personal self quest to find meaning.

  • A shocking secret about Rulan’s past is accidentally and innocently revealed through a jealous family member. She is an adopted child.

 

Part III. One life goes, another one comes.​ ​(有缘千里来相会)

 

  • Rulan begins a search of her true origins and Adam accompanies her to the orphanage where she was adopted.

  • ​Just when they return to her village, Adam is called back to New York but Rulan insists on staying, to nurse her family through the ordeal​ as her father passes away​ due to an undiagnosed tumor.​

  • As Adam gain​s​ ​new respect for ​life ​through a keen interest in alternative Chinese medicine however things between him and Rulan remain at a deadlock as each expects the other to make a move but neither does.

  • One month later, Rulan returns to New York with the firm intention to wrap up this chapter of her life, and return to her birthplace, where she felt useful and valued in her ability to teach.

  • When she’s again invited at the Goldman’s to collect her bonus check, the most unexpected family bond is revealed and the dream to ​​ ​build a school ​in a small village in China can finally come true.​

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