Kurdish-German 22-year-old Elaha is preparing for her wedding, but is concerned her fiancé and parents will discover she’s not a virgin – a major social taboo within their culture. She tries to save up for cosmetic surgery to disguise the fact, but can’t earn enough money. As the wedding approaches, she has to decide whether to tell the truth or find some way to disguise her supposed ‘loss of innocence’. As she grapples with that choice, she finds herself asking big questions about her identity and future.

Milena Aboyan’s debut feature is a study of female belonging, sexuality and empowerment. It examines its themes with care and nuance, further buoyed by Bayan Leyla’s frank and fierce lead performance.