Sunflower tells a family history that unfolds in Beijing, a city passing through a Chinese vicissitude; it′s a modem history by way of reminiscences. While a father, a painter, had to leave during the Cultural Revolution, a mother brings up their son, Xiang Yang, by herself. In the intervening six years, the father comes back, but reluctantly gives up a painter′s life after hurting his hands. Having to live as a normal engineer, he wishes to foster his dream of being a painter through his son. He stubbornly interferes in and controls his son′s education and rearing according to his wishes. Xiang Yang however, wants to take his way at liberty. Naturally, the conflict between Xiang Yang and his father erupts. Xiang Yang does not choose, but gives in to his stubborn father and finally becomes a painter. His simultaneous love and hatred for his father prevails in his drawings, casting a shadow of his complicated mind. (Lee Wang-joo)