Milton Gibney

In pursuit of happiness, a young woman fantasises about killing her boyfriend

When Rowan and her childhood friends go on a camping trip, they bump into a pair of boys of a similar age. Although her friends are excited, Rowan is uncomfortable. She is ridiculed for her shy nature, and finds comfort in the forest, safe from the judgement of the group. Here, she is able to explore sensations and awaken desires she didn’t know she was capable of. Rowan is a magical-realist, coming-of-age film about atypical sexuality, self-discovery, and the excruciating pressure that comes with ‘being left behind’.