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In Bangladesh, the 12-year-old orphan Afrin lives on a flood-ravaged island without electricity. While her family intends to marry her off, despite being illegal, Afrin’s thoughts are entirely different.
In Bangladesh, the 12-year-old orphan Afrin lives on a flood-ravaged island without electricity. While her family intends to marry her off, despite being illegal, Afrin’s thoughts are entirely different. Unlike other girls, she has a mind of her own and plans she is determined to put into action. After yet another flood devastates her home, she decides to take control of her life. Boarding a small boat, Afrin embarks on a journey to find her father, whom she has never had the chance to know.
Aware that the crossing could seriously endanger her life, the girl becomes even more determined to pursue her goal. Accustomed to live in a small village, the twelve-year-old finds herself in one of the world’s most populated cities: Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Trying to locate her father in such a metropolis leaves Afrin feeling discouraged, until she encounters a group of orphans on her path. Thanks to them, she regains the will to continue her search, hoping to live a better life than the one she left behind.
The inspiration for Swedish director Angelos Rallis in creating this documentary came from his wife, who was involved in projects, in the Southeast Asia, for the construction of shelters made of bamboo, available in those regions. The choice of this material was made to better cope with the potential hazards to which these places are particularly exposed: floods and earthquakes. The story, co-written with Afrin, is based on experiences and observations made during research in these corners of the world. In a present dominated by mud and desolation, Afrin fights for herself, hoping that in her future there will be flowers to be picked with her father.