1972年,美军在越南溃败撤离柬埔寨之后,纽约时报驻柬埔寨的战地记者辛尼(萨姆·沃特森 Sam Waterston饰)仍留在当地继续采访。柬埔寨人潘迪(吴汉润 Haing S. Ngor饰)是辛尼的当地翻译兼助手。辛尼在潘迪的帮助下,多次化险为夷逃过鬼门关。两人在战火纷飞中结下了深厚的友谊。1975年,红色高棉占领金边。辛尼得以全身而退,然而潘迪却因为没有护照而被捕,开始了生不如死的地狱生活。在柬共的劳动改造中,潘迪目睹了红色高棉政权的残暴血腥,受到了非人的待遇。1978年,越共入侵柬埔寨,潘迪趁机逃亡到泰国边境,与一直在寻找他的老朋友辛尼重逢。
本片荣获1985年第57届奥斯卡金像奖最佳男配角、最佳摄影和最佳电影剪辑三项大奖。
Kosim became rich after finding gold in the river in the village of Hirupbagja. He soon marries Sumi and lives a prosperous life as a landlord. When their child, Didi, was born, his soul was possessed by Albert Dominique's spirit, which was thirsty for blood and terrorized the villagers. Kosim tries to cover up this fact because he is currently running for the new Village Head. He must be able to beat Soleh, who has already won the sympathy of the villagers. But when the spirit threatens his family's life, Kosim decides to free Didi from the influence of Albert Dominique. To do this, Kosim must confront Dorman, a black sorcerer who wants to avenge his great-grandfather on the people who have destroyed his life.
A heartbroken man returns to the home he shared with his ex-boyfriend, where visceral memories force him to confront the fissures that led to their parting: when the 'casual threesome' they planned evolved into something more.