Off-beat and comical, this whimsical Chinese tale is set towards the end of the Ching dynasty in a dusty northwestern village comprised of criminals and social outcasts. The government sends the people there to keep them away from prosperous law-abiding citizens. The governor of the area, uses his citizenry for his own gain. The fun begins when two youths head for a neighboring town to pilfer exam papers. While there, they steal two gold nuggets believed to have belonged to the legendary bandit Miao San-shun. Not wanting a row, the governor launches a cover-up. He then begins searching for Miao who is said to still live somewhere in the area. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi