An aging opera singer facing retirement and a divorce. An energetic young woman seeking to escape her mundane life with her boyfriend. A young teacher obsessed with a new and rebellious student from Shanghai. All of them have one thing in common: their lives are intertwined with Xi Shi's, one of ancient China's legendary beauties. The story takes place in Xi Shi's hometown in southern China. Film director Guan Hu explores the legend's personality as the stories of these three modern women unfold. Each seems to represent aspects of Xi Shi's history, motivations and life story, itself an opera. And the parallels running through these women's lives speak to Everywoman, says the opera star who 'owns' Xi Shi's opera role. She says that all women's lives carry something of Xi Shi's legend, which is detailed throughout the film. The young girl sells tea to tourists and like Xi Shi seeks a life of adventure. The young teacher is drawn to the young student and finds her impending marriage a distraction. The opera diva must face the inevitable facts of aging and undesirability. Xi Shi's legend can live today, the filmmaker is saying, because it is universal to all women. Awards/Festivals: NETPAC Award, Nominated for Best Film, Hawaii International Film Festival, 2002.