Gunfire punctures the serene forest as a group of Kurdish rebel-fighters make their way through the Turkish outback. With only the moonlight to guide her, young Jîn abandons her squad. In search of family and a civil world, she crosses over enemy lines and embarks on a harrowing odyssey through a threatening landscape. Amid random bombings and aggressive opposition, Jîn’s courage is continually tested. Thwarted by incessant attacks from all sides, she seeks protection in the mountains, only to find solace in the wild creatures of the rural sanctuary.

Award-winning Turkish director Reha Erdem relays in radiant detail the sweeping effects of unremitting war. Standing as an indomitable figure amongst the chaos, Deniz Hasgüler’s devoted performance as Jîn displays both fortitude and vulnerability. With superb cinematography, sparse dialogue and reverence for the natural world, in the spirit of Malick and Tarr, Jîn establishes Erdem’s authentic cinematic talent.

—Holly Voges