本片讲述了居住在金边贫民窟的妓女的悲惨遭遇，她们因家庭贫困而别无选择，原以为进城后她们的生活会大有改善，可一切都是老鸨的花言巧语。她们被迫日日工作，忍受着客人的折磨和老鸨的苛刻。同时，她们还面临着毒品和性病的威胁。她们如同陷入绝境，有家不能回，有亲人无颜认。日复一日，年复一年，女孩们各奔东西，有的生了孩子，有的开始贩毒，有的被善良的客人带走。新人换旧人，又有一批山里来的孩子将步入这贫民窟……

During the last half-century, Cambodia has witnessed genocide, decades of war and the collapse of social order. Now, documentary filmmaker Rithy Panh looks at an irreparable tragedy that is less visible, yet no less pervasive: the spiritual death that results when young women are forced into prostitution. Angry and impassioned, PAPER CANNOT WRAP UP EMBERS presents the searing stories of poor Asian women whose lives were violated and their destinies destroyed when their bodies were turned into items of sexual commerce.