Ermo is about rural life in China after communism and the readjustment to a capitalistic way of life. This is made evident by Ermo’s strong desire to own a larger TV than her neighbor and therefore be held in higher regard. It also showcases the lengths to which someone will go to get what they want and the possible problems that can arise due to the avarice to achieve something. Added to that are problems seen with healthcare, adultery, and a different social system.

At the opening of the movie Ermo is seen sitting on a street corner yelling out the words “twisty noodles.” For most of the movie this was her families main source of income. She would wake up early in the morning and make the dough and noodles and her husband would twist them together. After that she would try to sell them to people on the street. This form of enterprise is interesting because it shows that the Northern part of doesn’t use rice as its main staple crop. Primarily due to the difference in the climates of the north and south.

Most of the shots of the region showed it to be one of quite a few mountains and rather dry plains. There were many if any scenes were it was raining; although at one point it is seen to be snowing. This would suggest that the village the characters lived in was somewhere between the coast and the dry and inhospitable interior of China. Also suggesting that they lived far enough north to have four seasons. In addition, the plants were that of a temperate climate. Such as, hay and the type of trees present.