I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming

Isabelle Stever’s daring and distinctive drama explores queer love and identity amid the upheaval of war.

As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine begins, Olya and her recently transitioned boyfriend Oleh attempt to flee Kyiv, only to encounter bureaucratic barriers and transphobia. Inspired by true experiences, this compassionate, finely observed film brings the intimate and political into powerful conversation, asking what it means to remain yourself when the world around you is being remade.

“With its startling humanism and boundless empathy, I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming should shake viewers from their slumber.” — Robert Daniels, RogerEbert.com

Content Guidance: Contains scenes of violence and themes of war, transphobia, trauma and sexual violence.