During the 10 years of China's Cultural Revolution, the only culture allowed was Yang Ban Xi - propaganda operas. Based on traditional Chinese stories and adapted to the taste of Mao's wife, Jiang Qing Min, these eight operas presented the world in a much simpler way. All the good guys were farmers and revolutionary soldiers, singing and dancing in the broad spotlight. All the bad guys were landlords and anti-revolutionaries, with dark make-up. The operas were pure propaganda told in beautiful images, song and dance.

Although Madame Mao was ultimately convicted as a member of the Gang of Four and committed suicide in prison, the operas have recently regained popularity with the younger generation, who see them as a marvellous mixture of high and low culture.

Exquisite original footage of the Yang Ban Xi, combined with interviews with those who played in them at the time and contemporary performances, open a window into present-day urban China and its burgeoning cultural scene, and make for a captivating film.