Ruthy Pribar’s debut feature, Asia, provides a refreshing yet refined perspective on the well-trodden path of teenage terminal illness stories. The Israeli drama focuses on a tense relationship between a mother and daughter that explores loneliness and coming-of-age curiosity. Asia (Alena Yiv) and her daughter Vika (Shira Haas) have a generally peaceful existence, having immigrated to Jerusalem from Russia. As a nurse, Asia spends most of her days at the ward, which leaves Vika to naturally begin pushing her teenage boundaries while coming to terms with having a terminal illness. As a free-spirit, Asia gives the impression of being easy-going, as long as Vika commits to taking care of herself. However, restrictions from partying, drinking and dating is an enticing taunt for a young woman who hopes to find her own autonomy.

Vika finds companionship with her only friend Natalie (Eden Halili), spending time ogling boys at the skate park and gossiping in the haze of long afternoons. Yet she can never fully immerse herself into the fun, as pushing it too far can lead to physical attacks and hospital visits. The camera observes Vika quietly as she watches the world pass by, and viewers are never fully allowed into her mind. These long, pondering shots capture the dull ache of time passing as Vika grapples for control and tries to fit in. Yet she’s also content to just watch and quietly take in the world. In comparison, Asia appears torn between the responsibility of trying to care for a sick teenager who is seldom grateful for her help, and keeping her own romantic life in tact while balancing the stresses of working in the medical profession. At times, it’s hard to sympathise with the mother’s impulsive decisions, such as when she comes home late after hooking up with a colleague, but this necessary outlet is a way to keep her mind from unravelling under the pressure. Evading soppy sentimentality, Pribar delves into an intimate character study of how to be a parent to a daughter with limited time.

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Asia is an ode to the power of memory and connections to the past. The relationship between Vika and her mother is chilly at times, but they share a similar soul. As Vika’s health unexpectedly starts to decline, she allows her mum to see her vulnerabilities, and Asia reciprocates this sharing of feelings and steps up in her role as a mother. At its heart, Asia is a love letter to the rekindling of bond between a parent and child after suffering through difficult experiences together.