The story takes place in a southern coastal town, once a fishing village and now being transformed into a resort area in the rush of economic development.
Mia, a sixteen year old migrant girl who came from the north with an unknown past, works "off-the-book" at a seaside motel. She is surrounded by people who live by the rule that anything in life is a commodity and can be traded with a price. To her, love is a luxury that she cannot afford.
Wen, a local teenage girl, is having trouble both at home and in school. Her divorced mother spends most nights out dancing, and her father comes to see her only on her birthday. She rebels to get attention, but that only gets her into more trouble.
One night, Wen follows some friends to the motel where Mia works. The event that soon happens will put the two girls to the test on their journey to womanhood.
CHF 50'000 for production fiction
Venice 2017, in competition
Toronto 2017, Contemporary World Cinema
Antalya 2017: Best Film and Best Actress
India 2017: Best Film and Best Director
Golden Horse Film Festival 2017: Best Director
Nantes 2017: Silver Montgolfiere
Beijing 2018: Grand Jury Prize
Malaysia 2018: Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress
Nasville 2018: Best Screenplay, Best Actress
Tromso 2018: Fipresci Prize and Aurora Award
Wild Bunch