Claire Facing North

Pre-dawn, a spirit glides over the ruggedly beautiful Icelandic landscape, then finds CLAIRE (70), a retired professional woman, alone in her home, struggling with the loss of her only child, Catherine. Claire decides to return to Iceland to find relief from her grief. In Iceland, Claire meets IRIS (27), traveling alone and unmoored from her past. Initially curt and distant, Claire comes to recognize Iris’ vulnerabilities and begins to feel protective of her. They reveal more of each other’s lives, but Iris’ story doesn’t quite fit, and Claire grows dubious. Claire confronts Iris, who flies into a rage and leaves Claire alone on the side of the road. Claire resolves to finish the task that brought her to Iceland. Sometimes, letting go means going back.