1957 年云南昆明的部分右派两百多人来到弥勒县一个犯人农场进行思想改造。后来，这个农场又接收了其他农场转来的两百多名右派。这些右派在这里经历了大跃进时期的种种荒唐事件，包括毁林开荒、大炼钢铁以及人为地剷除粮食种红薯的“自然灾害”。他们也在这里度过文革时期，这时大批来自上海和重庆的知识青年也来到这个农场。右派们经过二十一年的阶级斗争和思想改造，终于在 1978 之后陆续离开农场。

In 1957, two hundred teachers, students, and cadres were labeled as "Rightists" for voicing criticism of the Communist Party and sent to the East Wind State Farm in southwest China. As part of China's disastrous Great Leap Forward, these inmates were forced to take part in ill-conceived deforestation, agricultural and industrial projects that led to wide-scale famine. Later they endured the Cultural Revolution when their camp was visited by large groups of "sent-down" youth from the cities. After 21 years of "remolding," the "Rightists" were finally "rehabilitated" in 1978 and allowed to leave in 1978. THE EAST WIND STATE FARM re-examines the tragic events of Chinese modern history during the height of Maoist rule. Director Hu Jie collects dozens of extensive interviews with both inmates and staff who served through three decades of the camp's existence.