In a Georgian backwater, retired teacher Lia turns up on the doorstep of her neighbour: affable, aimless Achi. She’s trying to find her niece Tekla, a twenty-something trans woman who was regretfully banished years before. Achi claims he knows where she is: in Istanbul. With a half-baked plan and very little money, their search for Tekla sparks some soul-searching within them both, while their journey attracts both suspicion and generosity.

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. Humanistic and compassionate, Akin’s third feature is a heartfelt portrayal of overcoming the degrees of separation that divide us.

Directed by Levan Akin | 106 mins | Cert 15A | Georgian/Turkish with English subtitles