To the Chinese, the Conference at Versailles was more of an insult at their dignity and sovreignity than a celebration of peace.

This anthology drama presents four short films honoring Chinese families, spotlighting the struggles of key groups across four pivotal eras: the revolution, construction, reform and opening up, and the new era, while highlighting their perseverance, dedication to ideals, and commitment to passing on the national spirit through generations.

Set in 21st century Shanghai, it revolves around two women with different backgrounds and personalities who forge a deep friendship as they support each other through hard times in life.

1937年，日本悍然发动侵华战争，中国大地顿时狼烟四起，哀鸿遍野。12月13日，日军侵入南京城，旋即发动惨无人道的大屠杀。
在一家伤病医院中，中国医生展涛（翟乃社 饰）不顾死亡威胁，奋力抢救伤员。不久，日军公然践踏国际公约，大肆侵入国际红十字会所在的安全区，对毫无抵抗能力的伤员和士兵进行屠杀。展涛亲眼见到一幕幕惨剧的发生，悲愤交加。
日本兵佐佐木拍摄了一组显赫“战功”的恶行照片，被照相馆的人转交给了展涛。展涛冒着生命危险保护底片，势要将日军的罪行公诸于世……

A group of city dwellers who have to make choices about love and career. Based on Hong Kong novelist Yi Shu's novel of the same name.

遥远的先秦时代，礼崩乐坏，世道离乱。周天子的威望有如风中残烛，各路诸侯蠢蠢欲动，伺机问鼎中原，更上演了一连串攻伐兼并的大戏。在我国长江下游流域，比邻而居的吴越两国战火萌发。年轻而弱小的越国在勾践（陈道明 饰）的率领下爆发逼人气势，从而打败了多年来一直对他们凌辱欺压的吴国的精锐之师，老国王阖闾（杨在葆 饰）更在战争中伤重身亡。夫差（胡军 饰）在伍子胥（王冰 饰）的协助下继任国王，随即和兵临城下的越军再战。被胜利冲昏了头脑的勾践不顾范蠡（贾一平 饰）等重臣相劝，继续加快扩张的步伐。
由此引出了卧薪尝胆的千古传奇……

清朝末年，世道纷乱。八旗子弟乌世保（陈道明 饰）没能袭得爵位，终日走街串巷，游手好闲。某天在天桥一带，他遇见当年府上的旗奴徐焕章（马和平 饰）。徐小人得志，趾高气扬，被世保当街训斥，从此种下祸端。及至八国联军杀入北京城，徐因会说几句日语当上侦缉队队长，遂公报私仇，将世保定下死罪。乌妻四处奔走，令世保暂脱一死。坐牢期间，世保结识古月轩鼻烟儿壶制造名家聂小轩。聂为免手艺失传，将一身绝学过给世保。不久，世保重获自由，却得知妻子受辱自尽，家破人亡。最终他住进师傅家中，与师妹柳娘（李殿馨 饰）共同继承了古月轩的手艺……
本片根据邓友梅的小说《烟壶》改编。

Director Zhang Junzhao's superbly tense revisionist war film (featuring striking cinematography from future Fifth Generation standard bearer Zhang Yimou) is widely considered to be the first work of Mainland Fifth Generation cinema.