Under the Hawthorn Tree

Set against the upheaval of the Cultural Revolution, Under the Hawthorn Tree follows Jing Qiu, a gentle schoolgirl whose life is upended when she is sent to the countryside for reeducation and assigned to help compile a textbook. Isolated from her previous world and branded by her family background, she navigates a new, austere existence shaped by duty and survival.

There she encounters Lao San, a warm-hearted young soldier with a promising future, and a quiet bond slowly takes root between them. Their relationship grows through small, honest moments—shared work, furtive conversations, and the tender exchanges that stand in stark contrast to the harshness around them.

Despite the depth of their feelings, the gulf of social class and the disapproval of Jing Qiu’s family cast long shadows over their hopes. Political scrutiny, limited prospects, and the strictures of the era force both to choose between personal longing and the demands imposed by society.

Poignant and restrained, the film portrays a love that is pure yet fragile, offering a moving meditation on youth, loyalty, and sacrifice. Its spare visuals and heartfelt performances underscore the bittersweet beauty of two people trying to hold onto one another amid forces beyond their control.