The Gift

Seven-year-old Arno lives with her family in the high mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Her mother is pregnant. So far, she has given birth to five daughters, but no boys. Arno’s father Iman is therefore ridiculed by the other men and urges his wife to finally give birth to a boy. Arno would love to be the son her father always wanted. She hides her braids under her cap and dresses like a boy. But no matter how hard she tries she is denied her father’s love and approval. In her rage, Arno wishes him dead. The sons of the newly widowed neighbour Zarip do not accept Arno as a playmate either. Arno wishes one of them to break his leg. To her surprise, this and other spoken curses come true. Arno is convinced that the birthmark on her lip has magical powers and is responsible for the fulfilment of the curses. So when the family’s horses are stolen by smugglers and Iman does not return from searching for the herd, Arno fears the worst.