Metok is a young Tibetan Buddhist nun living in an Indian monastery. When her mother requests her assistance at a local birth, she ventures back to her homeland for the first time in years—a perilous journey through an achingly beautiful landscape. Metok must traverse a river, travel by train, and ascend mountain slopes to reach the Chinese border, where she is led in secret through a network of caves. When she finally reunites with her family, emotions are restrained but deeply felt.

As Metok navigates personal challenges in the midst of tense geopolitics, the quietude and stability of Buddhist ritual continue to centre her. Director Martín Solá shows great respect for Metok, avoiding the impulse to scrutinize his subject beyond the here and now. The film’s style is fittingly meditative, combining simple observations with Metok’s personal thoughts to deliver a quietly haunting story. -KR

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