Within

Synopsis

The film closely follows the police investigation carried out by Inspector Han to deal with the discovery of the remains of a ten-year-old girl near a demolished school building. At the same time, in the same city, Li Qingcao, a single mother, struggles with the bureaucracy to get her daughter into school. The plot takes a turn when it is revealed that Qingcao and Inspector Han share a dark secret. The mystery explores the phenomenon of “surplus children” in China, those born in rural areas and left in the care of others while their parents seek work in the cities. Director Dalu Guo strikes a balance between thriller and social drama, inviting reflection on a subject that continues to stir controversy.