At just 16, Soraya is already creating stunning drawings and sculptures that are as beautiful as they are dark. The strong-willed Afghan artist has been trying for five years to escape Iran and join her mother in Austria.

This subtly textured self-portrait interweaves chilling scenes of her escape attempts with political news from Afghanistan and videos in which she sings and dances - or shows her bruises.

Mehrdad Oskouei directed the film entirely remotely, with Soraya filming all the footage using her phone. This material is interspersed with shots of her drawings and surreal animations. Making art is no idle pastime for Soraya. She puts all her worries, joys, and fears into her drawings and the sculptures she makes from soaked egg cartons or clay that she finds along her escape routes.

Many of her pieces feature recurring figures: a loyal fox who is her traveling companion, a pink moon that always watches over her, and a clown who never laughs - a character Soraya identifies with.

“A shape-shifting blend of thriller and dark fairy tale.” – Lee Marshal

“A deeply moving self-portrait of a young artist.” – Savina Petkova