I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming

In this bold, empathic drama, a struggling couple is pushed to the brink when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine upends their lives and throws their partnership into confusion. Olya and Oleh are struggling to define their relationship as Olya (who identifies as a lesbian) is coming to terms with her boyfriend Oleh’s recent gender transition. As the invasion escalates, the two are forced to evacuate, triggering a protracted confrontation with their country’s transphobic bureaucracy and passport policies. Pushed to the brink emotionally and politically, the couple is forced to navigate their personal tumult in the face of a global crisis.

Based on true events, director Isabelle Stever and screenwriter Anna Melikova imbue this timely tale with profound humanity, offering a deeply resonant vision of a society stretched past its breaking point.