Watch Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

The story begins in 19th century China where two young girls, Snow Flower and Lily, are paired together in the tradition of Laotongs, or old sames. Laotong is a special friendship between two women that lasts for all eternity, a woman can only have one Laotong. The two young girls, kept isolated by their families, begin secretly sending notes back and forth in their secret language. They use the folds of a white silk fan to pass the notes.

In a modern day parallel of the tale of the two Laotong their descendants Sophia and Nina are struggling to maintain their own friendship bond. Complicated lives, romances, and work are pulling apart these present day Shanghai women. They attempt to learn how to maintain the innocence of friendship from Snow Flower and Lily with the help of the white silk fan that has been passed down through generations of their ancestors.