In the film, there is a trilogy of love stories that depict the beautiful scenery of Vietnam. In the spring, a rural girl named Xin is hired by a wealthy family to pick lotus flowers. She often hums folk songs with the other female workers while admiring the view of the lotus pond. Her singing catches the attention of Mr. Du, who suffers from leprosy. As she copies poems for him, they develop a friendship despite the age gap.During the dry season, a rickshaw driver named Hai meets a prostitute named Lian by chance. She always talks about the luxurious life in a five-star hotel, while he can only admire her from afar. Slowly, their relationship begins to change.In the rainy season, Vietnam War veteran James (played by Harvey Keitel) meets a peddler named Woody at a bar and discovers a Vietnam War era lighter among his goods. James confides in Woody about his painful separation from his wife and daughter. Eventually, both men find solace in their respective emotional journeys.The film won the Grand Jury Prize and Best Cinematography at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival, as well as the 2000 Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography.
