It was directed by Cheng Bugao and was adapted by Cai Chusheng[citation needed] and Xia Yan from the novella of the same name by Chinese author Mao Dun.
The film stars Xiao Ying, Yan Yuexian, Gong Jianong, Gao Qianping and Ai Xia and was produced by the Mingxing Film Company.
The film tells the story of a family of poor silk farmers in Zhejiang province, who suffer hardship and deprivation when their crop of silkworm cocoons die off.
He refuses to buy foreign breeds of silkworms for his coming crop.
The film also features a subplot where a married woman, Lotus, is ostracized by Tong Bao's family for being a supposed jinx.