A dramatic Chinese thriller with the feel of Hollywood film noir, SO CLOSE TO PARADISE follows two friends heading in opposite directions. One settles in a manual labor job on the docks. The other wants more and begins running with an organized crime unit. The gangster falls for a lounge singer he has kidnapped and finds himself in trouble without the aide of his companion at his side. This film was banned for three years by the Chinese government for its depiction of mainland corruption.