After writing a novel inspired by her relationship with her mother, Taiwanese New Zealander Alina Wang must learn how to separate from a complicated and destructive relationship.
After the publication of her debut novel, young novelist Alina Wang is pulled back to her mother Michelle’s house to clean out her old bedroom. Alina is hesitant, with a book reading in a few days and the fact that her mother knows nothing about it.
As Alina navigates their strained relationship, old struggles and resentments resurface and Alina is thrown back into her unstable childhood. Through dream-like sequences, the film explores the emotional weight of Alina's relationship with her mother.
Tensions culminate in a confrontation when Michelle discovers the contents of Alina’s novel and they come into conflict over how the book portrays her upbringing. Forced to confront her mother in person over the truth in their past, the film ends with Alina finally realising the faith in herself to let her mother go.
As Alina navigates their strained relationship, old struggles and resentments resurface and Alina is thrown back into her unstable childhood. Through dream-like sequences, the film explores the emotional weight of Alina's relationship with her mother.
Tensions culminate in a confrontation when Michelle discovers the contents of Alina’s novel and they come into conflict over how the book portrays her upbringing. Forced to confront her mother in person over the truth in their past, the film ends with Alina finally realising the faith in herself to let her mother go.
