Synopsis

Bed-ridden and isolated I-Kiribati-Yorkshire nun, Anna Betero, struggles to come to terms with her ailing body, and discovers a strange symbiosis with her climate crisis-threatened homeland. After Anna's carer, Mary, finishes providing her with personal care, Anna serendipitously tunes in to a radio broadcast from her brother, The President of Kiribati, who informs her that her native island's survival is dependant on Anna completing a faith-defying amphibious transformation. Initially overwhelmed by the task, Anna is presented with visions of communities ravaged by climate emergencies. Discovering scales are already forming on her leg, Anna embraces her transformation as a means of reconnecting with her childhood. She looks through old photos and shares with Mary a local myth surrounding a woman who was born with the skin of a turtle. Concerned by Anna's increasing deviation from religious convention, Mary reminds Anna to stick to the "good ideas" from the Bible texts. Anna rejects this and dedicates focus to pursuing her amphibious transformation, sellotaping the skin on her face tightly so she is ocean-primed. Seemingly near-death and surrounded by the sisterhood, Anna expresses gratitude for the life she has lived. Anna communicates to her brother that she is getting stronger. Her room becomes immersed in ocean-blue, and Anna rises from her bed to perform a balletic rendition of the Kaimatoa dance, celebrating her newly discovered amphibious properties, before falling into a prayer position. The blue drains from the room and Anna finds herself lying in bed, consumed by reality and facing her death. She prays to Holy Father Benedict for a safe passage into heaven, but finds her prayer overwhelmed by swirling voices from the radio, from Sister Mary, and from a thundering storm. Angelic voices come in. Anna eyes widen at the sight of something in the window. She rises up and walks to greet a silhouette of her brother. Her brother encourages her to open the window. Despite being not ready, Anna summons the strength and courage to prise it open.