After reporting his grandmother's actions to local authorities, Ah Liam and his family attempt to flee their home on Drum Wave Islet to escape the Communist Party's investigation and punishment of their family's disloyalty

1957, Maoist China. Twelve year old Ah Liam reports his grandmother for vandalizing a portrait of Chairman Mao. The Community Party investigates-- and the whole family is to be punished for disloyalty. The family plans to move to Hong Kong-- but the government will only issue a visa for one child. The other child will be a hostage, proof of the family's intention to return. Brother, sister, father, mother-- all must grapple with their agonizing decision and its consequences