Maryam K. Badri

Parastoo, an Iranian refugee and former actress, lives in Berlin with her son Arash and teaches Persian. Her husband remained in Iran. Her boss, Paul, arranges for her to stay in an apartment belonging to his wife, Clara—which once belonged to a deceased painter. But Paul’s son, Luka, develops an obsessive fixation on Parastoo, whom he sees as a character from a video game. As Parastoo saves Clara’s unborn child, their bond grows—and so does Luka’s obsession.

Parastoo, an Iranian refugee and former actress, lives in Berlin with her son Arash and teaches Persian. Her husband remained in Iran. Her boss, Paul, arranges for her to stay in an apartment belonging to his wife, Clara—which once belonged to a deceased painter. But Paul’s son, Luka, develops an obsessive fixation on Parastoo, whom he sees as a character from a video game. As Parastoo saves Clara’s unborn child, their bond grows—and so does Luka’s obsession.