A dramatic story of brotherhood, magic, and spiritual growth. Two young men from Laos immigrate to Minnesota, U.S.A., during the Vietnam War. Enemies and rivals for the love of a village woman who stayed behind, each tries to resolve his confusion about living in a new culture and the loss of their beloved beauty, Zoua Lee. For Pao Moua, Zoua comes alive in his paintings of the village. On dark nights, from a mural lit by headlights, she speaks to Pao and helps him find a way to accept his new life.
For Lue Vang, there is no such understanding. He turns to gang life, and must kill or be killed by his gang brothers. In trying to help Lue Vang, Pao nearly loses his life, but in the process he undergoes a life-changing experience that will lead him to become the shaman he always wanted to become. On the other hand, Lue Vang must leave the city to stay alive, but he leaves transformed after seeing a vision of Zoua Lee and saving Paos life. In the end, he realizes his own courage.
