Blood and Gold

New Zealand, South Island, 1861. Bridget O’Casey, a hardened 35-year old grog seller, has just fought for her life. Injured and alone, Bridget takes a life-changing gold nugget, steals a horse and runs. Not far behind her, a pack of men with dogs begin chase. After riding hard all night, Bridget comes across a man attacking a woman. She strikes the man with a spade and reveals Shénshèng (13) a Chinese girl. A raw, messy fight ensues, and Bridget is fighting for her life, when suddenly Shénshèng smashes the man’s skull in with a rock. In shock, Shénshèng wades into the nearby river to drown herself, forcing Bridget to pulls the traumatised girl from the water. On the bank, Bridget tries to communicate, but Shénshèng can’t speak English. Frustrated and in pain, Bridget rides away. But as she hears dogs getting closer, Bridget makes a choice that could alter both lives forever…