In the late 19th century, life for fourteen-year-old Lise is full of anticipation for the next chapter of her life at school. She looks forward to leaving the farm where she grew up, and with it, her younger siblings. But as night falls, her mother goes into labor, and everything begins to go wrong. Lise soon realizes that this may be the end of her childhood and of her dreams. Tea Lindeburg’s debut feature is set more than a century ago, and the story of Lise may be the story of our grandmother and her grandmothers. It is, at the same time, also a timely drama of human paranoia aggravated by ignorance and fear, choosing religious dogma and superstition over science and reason. Despite the agonizing and dramatic turn of events, the director’s approach is organic and contemplative, refusing to forcefully steer the attention of the viewer. (Karen PARK)