After years as a political prisoner in a labor camp during China's Cultural Revolution, Lu returns to his devoted wife Feng, only to discover she has amnesia and is unable to recognize him.

Based on South African President Nelson Mandela's autobiography of the same name, it chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country's once segregated society.

Luis, a homosexual, and Valentin, a political prisoner are mismatched cell mates in a South American prison. To escape reality Luis invents romantic movies, while Valentin tries to keep his mind on the situation he's in. Eventually, the two men come to understand and respect one another.