The Chronology of Water

The Chronology of Water is director Kristen Stewart's debut feature film and a cinematic adaptation of the autobiography by American author Lidia Yuknavitch. The film portrays Lidia's life from her childhood experiences of sexual abuse to her gradual anchoring in swimming and poetry. But life also takes her through marriage, collapse, and alcohol abuse that threatens to crush her.

This film does not follow a traditional, linear development. It drills deep into Lidia's soul to wrench out what resides there. The cinematic presentation is built on fragments of memories, an experimental relationship with the passage of time, and glimpses of unfulfilled potential. Stewart takes many bold steps in the presentation of the material, proving herself to be a director driven by a clear vision and an understanding of the possibilities of film art. Imogen Poots is brilliant in the leading role, carrying the film with intense dynamism. The result is an immersive and demanding experience.