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Crossing

Directed by Levan Akin
2024
Sweden
105 minutes
Unclassified 18+
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A Georgian woman traverses contemporary Istanbul in a tender, soul-searching pilgrimage to find her runaway transgender niece. Berlinale’s Teddy Jury Award winner from Levan Akin (And Then We Danced).

To fulfill the dying wish of her sister, retired teacher Lia (a dignified and impressive performance from Mzia Arabuli), sets off on foot to find her estranged niece, Tekla, who fled Georgia at a young age across the border to Turkey. Before she leaves, Lia gets a lead from the cocky Achi – who himself desires to run away. The unlikely duo set off with little money and only each other for support, to navigate the vibrant, cobbled streets of Istanbul’s queer district. This is a road movie, and a personal, introspective journey of reconciliation, instilled with a poetic exploration of marginalised communities abandoning a place that doesn’t accept them.

Limited seats are available for patrons requiring access for wheelchairs, low vision and hearing loop. Please contact our ticketing team directly on 1300 733 733 or tickets@sff.org.au to complete your booking.
… takes his characters and viewers on a voyage together. It’s seductive, fragmented, involving
Fionnuala Halligan, Screen Daily
… uses delicate brushstrokes to depict the city also as a place where transformative encounters can bring change and greater self-knowledge
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
… Levan Akin’s third feature celebrates the vibrant beauty of Istanbul’s trans community
Hannah Strong, Little White Lies

Tickets

Wed 5 Jun
6:15pm
Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 3
Assisted Listening
Wheelchair
Subtitled
Past Event Cancel
Sat 8 Jun
7:15pm
Palace Central Cinemas - Cinema 1
Assisted Listening
Wheelchair
Subtitled
Past Event Cancel
Wed 12 Jun
6:15pm
Dendy Newtown - Cinema 1
Assisted Listening
Wheelchair
Subtitled
Past Event Cancel
Program Strand
Features
Year
2024
Classification
Unclassified 18+
Country
Sweden, Denmark, France, Türkiye, Georgia
Language
Georgian, Turkish, English
Director
Levan Akin
Producer
Mathilde Dedye
Cast
Mzia Arabuli, Lucas Kankava, Deniz Dumanli
Screenwriter
Levan Akin
Cinematographer
Lisabi Fridell
Editor
Levan Akin, Emma Lagrelius
Premiere
Australian Premiere
Genre
Focus on Women, Festival Award Winners, LGBTQIA+ Films
Company Credits
Australian Distributor: Madman Entertainment
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