What Is Breaking with Old Ideas About?
The premise of Breaking with Old Ideas in 326 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the late 1950s, the newly founded Jiangxi Communist Labour University sits at the crossroads of a fledgling revolution and the remnants of a more academic past. The campus buzzes with the rhythm of fields and classrooms, a place where ideology is as much a curriculum as the soil that surrounds it. The film captures this volatile epoch with a measured, almost documentary pulse, letting the viewer feel the weight of dust‑laden roads, shouted slogans, and the quiet resolve of those who believe education can be reshaped in the service of a new society.
Long Guozheng arrives as a government emissary tasked with steering the institution toward a purer revolutionary purpose. A graduate of the Counter‑Japanese Military and Political University, he carries both the authority of the Party and a personal conviction that learning must be inseparable from labor. His proposals—to admit only working‑class students, to trade traditional lectures for hands‑on communal work, and to strip away what he deems extraneous theory—rattle the faculty and set a clear line between his vision and the more conservative, academically inclined staff.
Among the young learners, Li Jinfeng emerges as a vivid embodiment of the new doctrine. A peasant‑born student whose diligence and enthusiasm catch the attention of the administration, she becomes a focal point for the ideological clash unfolding around her. Her presence ignites debate not only within the college walls but also among the surrounding villages, where farmers and laborers watch keenly, seeing in her fate a reflection of their own aspirations for a transformed future.
Hovering over these tensions is the broader weight of national leadership, hinted at through the presence of the Chairman’s voice that looms like an unseen yet decisive force. The atmosphere is one of cautious optimism, where the promise of collective empowerment collides with entrenched habits, inviting the audience to wonder how far the pursuit of a radical educational experiment can travel before it meets the reality of a society in flux.
What Happens in Breaking with Old Ideas?
The complete story of Breaking with Old Ideas, from the first scene to the last, in 397 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 1 cast member page.
Spoilers ahead
In 1958, the Chinese Communist Party assigns Long Guozheng Zhenqing Guo, a graduate of the Counter-Japanese Military and Political University, to lead Jiangxi Communist Labour University, the institution it is shaping in the early days of the revolution. The school finds itself pulled between two divergent visions: a more bourgeois, academically oriented approach that some staff hope to preserve, and Long’s stricter, more purist interpretation of revolutionary education.
Long advocates a radical shift in emphasis and purpose. He argues for admitting only students from the working class and for a system that prizes hard work over traditional classroom learning. Under his leadership, the curriculum is reworked to emphasize experiential education: lessons move out of the classroom and into the fields, courses are streamlined to remove what he views as impractical elements, and students who miss exams can be excused to work for the commune. The idea is to fuse study with labor, creating a new kind of education that aligns with the socialist project and the needs of the people on the ground.
Among the students, Li Jinfeng [Wang Suya] is highlighted by Long as a model follower of this “educational revolution.” Her expulsion and subsequent trial become a flashpoint, drawing attention far beyond the classroom walls. The reaction of the broader community is swift and passionate: the masses rally to defend Li Jinfeng, denouncing the cadre and administrators who push back against the new system and who seem to be driving the college toward a capitalist line.
As pressure mounts from those who favor the old order, the college faces the threat of closing its doors. Yet the movement behind Li Jinfeng’s defense—and the broader insistence on reform—persists. In a crucial turn, the college is ultimately saved by the collective will of the peasants, reinforced by a pronouncement from Mao Zedong himself. The story closes with a sense of cautious triumph, illustrating how reform, popular support, and political authority intersect to shape the fate of an educational institution in a rapidly changing society.
The narrative invites reflection on how education can be reimagined in the service of revolutionary values, and how mass participation and leadership at the ground level can influence high-stakes decisions. It presents a careful, measured look at the costs and rewards of transformative policy, the tension between idealism and practicality, and the enduring power of community backing in the face of institutional resistance.
Breaking with Old Ideas Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Appointment of Long Guozheng to head the Jiangxi Communist Labour University” to “Broader impact of the educational revolution on curriculum and campus life”. 12 events name a place, across 6 locations.
- 1
Appointment of Long Guozheng to head the Jiangxi Communist Labour University
In 1958, Long Guozheng is appointed to head the newly established Jiangxi Communist Labour University. He brings a hardline, communistic educational vision to the leadership and aims to reshape the school's mission. The institution is framed as a model for worker-focused education in Jiangxi, and it will later become today's Jiangxi Agricultural University.
When:1958 Where:Jiangxi Communist Labour University
- 2
Clash between capitalist-leaning staff and Long's revolutionary vision
Long's approach clashes with staff who favor more capitalist academic standards and traditional, classroom-focused learning. The tension centers on how the school should balance ideology, curriculum, and practical training. The conflict signals a broader struggle over the direction of education in the new regime.
When:1958-1959 Where:Jiangxi Communist Labour University
- 3
Advocacy for working-class student admissions
Long advocates admitting only students from the working class, arguing this aligns with the revolutionary educational project. He argues that bourgeois-educated students would dilute the class-based aims of the program. The policy becomes a flashpoint in the campus power struggle.
When:1958-1959 Where:Jiangxi Communist Labour University
- 4
Curriculum overhaul prioritizing practical experience
Innovative changes are introduced that de-emphasize impractical coursework and emphasize hands-on, experiential learning. courses are retooled to fit a field-based and labor-oriented model. The overhaul is met with resistance from those defending traditional curricula.
When:1958-1959 Where:Jiangxi Communist Labour University
- 5
Field-based lessons and commune-style work
Lessons begin to be held in the field, with students engaging directly in labor and communal activities. This shift aims to connect theory with real-world work and communal productivity. The campus atmosphere becomes more itinerant and practice-focused.
When:1958-1959 Where:Campus and surrounding fields, Jiangxi
- 6
Exemption for missed exams due to commune work
A policy is introduced that excused students who miss exams to participate in commune work. This reinforces the integration of academics with labor and collective obligations. The change challenges conventional assessment norms on campus.
When:1958-1959 Where:Jiangxi Communist Labour University
- 7
Li Jinfeng becomes a symbol of the educational revolution
Li Jinfeng, praised by Long as an exemplary follower of the educational revolution, becomes a central figure in the controversy. She faces expulsion and is placed on trial as part of the campus power struggle. Her case crystallizes the debate over the reformist direction of the school.
When:late 1950s Where:Jiangxi Communist Labour University
- 8
Public support for Li Jinfeng and rejection of bourgeois education
The masses rally in support of Li Jinfeng and denounce those pushing a capitalist line on education. The public outcry demonstrates broad popular backing for the revolutionary reforms. This pressure complicates the university leadership’s position.
When:late 1950s Where:Jiangxi province, around the university
- 9
Move to shut down the college by those favoring capitalist line
In response to the internal conflict, those sympathetic to capitalist-oriented education decide to shut down the college. The reform project appears to be halted as a result of this decision. The campus confronts a critical existential threat to its mission.
When:late 1950s Where:Jiangxi Communist Labour University
- 10
Peasants' will and Mao Zedong's pronouncement save the college
The college is ultimately saved by the will of the peasants and a pronouncement from Mao Zedong himself. This intervention preserves the institution and its revolutionary approach. The outcome underscores the political backing behind educational reforms.
When:late 1950s Where:Jiangxi
- 11
Institution evolves into today’s Jiangxi Agricultural University
The college's legacy persists as it becomes what is today Jiangxi Agricultural University. The initial revolutionary framework leaves a lasting imprint on the institution’s identity. The campus continues to reflect the blend of labor, field study, and party-led education.
When:post-1959 Where:Jiangxi Agricultural University
- 12
Broader impact of the educational revolution on curriculum and campus life
The events illustrate a broader push to align university education with party goals and rural labor integration. The reforms set a precedent for how ideological aims can shape curriculum, admission, and teaching methods. The episode highlights the enduring tension between revolutionary aims and traditional academic norms.
When:1958-1960s Where:Jiangxi, China
Who Are the Main Characters in Breaking with Old Ideas?
5 characters, among them Long Guozheng (Guo Zhenqing), Li Jinfeng (Wang Suya) and Sun Ziqing (Ge Cunzhuang): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- LG
Long Guozheng (Guo Zhenqing)
Played by Zhenqing Guo
A principled but polarizing leader who champions an education revolution centered on hard labor and field-based learning. He challenges bourgeois attitudes and pushes for a worker-first curriculum, risking clashes with his contemporaries. His beliefs drive the conflict that defines the film’s central tension.
- 🎓 Education reform
- 🗺️ Leadership
- 🧭 Ideology
- LJ
Li Jinfeng (Wang Suya)
Played by Wang Suya
A standout student celebrated as an exemplar of the educational revolution. Her expulsion becomes a flashpoint, mobilizing masses in support and testing the consequences of party line versus individual merit. She embodies both idealism and the personal risk of reform.
- 🎯 Idealism
- 👩🎓 Student leadership
- 💥 Courage
- SZ
Sun Ziqing (Ge Cunzhuang)
Played by Ge Cunzhuang
An educator who serves as a catalyst or foil in implementing reform. He navigates political tensions between reformist aims and conservative resistance, shaping the on-campus debate about curriculum and labor.
- 🏫 Education reform
- 🧭 Political conflict
- 👥 Collaboration
- DS
Deputy Secretary Tang (Wen Xiying)
Played by Wen Xiying
A political figure representing the opposing, more capitalist line. He embodies the factional pressure within the leadership that challenges the reforms and seeks to shut down the college.
- 🏛️ Political power
- 🗳️ Policy
- 🔥 Conflict
- G(
Granny (Jian Li)
Played by Jian Li
An elder voice among the community who observes the upheaval with a wary but hopeful perspective. Her presence anchors traditional values while the campus experiments unfold around her.
- 👵 Wisdom
- 🌀 Tradition
- 💡 Hope
Where and When Is Breaking with Old Ideas Set?
Breaking with Old Ideas is set in Jiangxi Communist Labour University, Jiangxi and China (1958). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1958
Set in 1958, the early PRC period when the state promotes sweeping educational reforms, prioritizing practical labor and field-based instruction over formal classroom learning. The atmosphere is charged by political campaigns and factional struggles within the party leadership. The events culminate in a dramatic confrontation over the future of education in the countryside.
Where
Jiangxi Communist Labour University, Jiangxi, China
The story unfolds primarily at the Jiangxi Communist Labour University, later renamed Jiangxi Agricultural University, situating the drama in rural-revolutionary China. It situates itself in Jiangxi province, a region with a strong peasant movement and revolutionary history. The campus serves as a testing ground for the party's new education model that blends labor with study.
- 🎓 Education reform
- 🏛️ Historical setting
- 🔧 Revolutionary policy
What Are the Themes of Breaking with Old Ideas?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Education Reform, Class Struggle and Political Intervention.
-
01
Education Reform
Long Guozheng pushes for experiential, labor-oriented education and curtails what he views as bourgeois impracticalities. Classes move outdoors, courses are streamlined, and students are expected to contribute to the commune. The reformist drive clashes with entrenched interests, testing loyalty and effectiveness of the new model.
-
02
Class Struggle
The reform debate pits workers and peasants against those defending a capitalist-leaning status quo. Students like Li Jinfeng become symbols of loyalty to the revolutionary cause. Public support for the student becomes a barometer of political legitimacy. The conflict exposes how ideology can guide education policy and social order.
-
03
Political Intervention
Powerful actors within the party push back against the reforms, threatening to shut down the college. The story shows how political winds can determine the fate of an academic institution. In the end, mass support and a pronouncement from Mao Zedong alter the outcome, underscoring the role of leadership in policy.
What Kind of Film Is Breaking with Old Ideas?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A steady-paced, ideologically tense drama that follows a clash of educational philosophies, building to a climactic trial and culminating in a triumphant resolution backed by mass support.
- ideological
- defiant
- triumphant
- confrontational
- hopeful
- political ideology
- educational reform
- class struggle
- institutional conflict
- social change
Quiz
How well do you remember Breaking with Old Ideas? Test yourself on the story.
