Born in an impoverished but caring family, Janet Frame, a shy redhead child, finds refuge in books and writing poetry. However, as she grows older, a psychological misdiagnosis derails her life. But when she finds acclaim for her writings, Janet can move on in life—embarking on a journey to Europe.

In her breakthrough feature, New Zealand’s Jane Campion brings to the screen a Künstlerroman in tribute to her much-overlooked compatriot, writer Janet Frame: a woman who’s unexpected win of a literary prize in 1951 saved her from a lobotomy. A film tripartite in structure, and immaculately told.