On a remote island in Malaysia, Zahara works with her nephew trafficking turtle eggs to make a living. One day, a stranger named Samad arrives on the island. He introduces himself as a researcher for leatherback turtles, and asks Zahara to be his guide. The atmosphere on the island and between these two strangers is oddly tense. What secrets are they hiding? From the film’s shocking opening through its continued blending and reconstructing realities and illusions, memories and fantasies, the truth is revealed layer by layer. Woo Ming Jin is one of the most respected members of the Malaysian New Wave, and his latest film has received critical acclaim around the world. While the metaphors and symbols of the folktale about the stone turtle evolve throughout the film, the intense composition and quality acting that contrasts with the peaceful scenery that fills the screen. Woo was awarded the prestigious FIPRESCI Award at Locarno for his latest feature, a prime example of the power of contemporary Southeast Asian cinema. (BOO Kyunghwan)