CROSSING

From acclaimed director Levan Akin (And Then We Danced), CROSSING is a moving and tender tale of identity, acceptance and unlikely connection that transcends borders and generations. Lia, a retired school teacher living in Georgia, hears from a young neighbour Achi that her long lost niece Tekla, a transgender woman, has crossed the border into Turkey. Hoping to bring Tekla home after a period of estrangement, Lia travels to Istanbul with the unpredictable Achi to find her. Exploring the hidden depths of the city, they cross paths with a transgender lawyer called Evrim, who helps them in their search. As a reluctant and surprising friendship forms between Achi and Lia, the unexpected duo begin to discover that Tekla may not want to be found. With remarkably authentic performances from Mzia Arabuli and newcomers Lucas Kankava and Deniz Dumanli, Akin's third film offers a vibrant and evocative portrait of the city of Istanbul. Humanistic and compassionate, this hopeful vision of forgiveness is a heartfelt portrayal of overcoming the degrees of separation that divide us.