The Chronology of Water

Lidia Yuknavitch had a terrible childhood with a violent father who abused her and her sister Claudia and an alcoholic, suicidal mother who did nothing to intervene. But she is a very good swimmer, and when she is offered a swimming scholarship from the University of Texas, she finally has the chance to leave all her misery behind. However, the traumatised Lidia loses herself in drugs and alcohol and loses her scholarship. She moves to Oregon, where she discovers the world of literature at university. Writing proves to be therapeutic.

In 2011, Lidia Yuknavitch's memoirs were published under the title The Chronology of Water, a poignant and intense story about a life dominated by sexual abuse and all the scars it left behind. Debut director Kristen Stewart, best known as an actress, of course, spent eight years working on the film adaptation. She succeeded in capturing Yuknavitch's complex world of pain, anger and resilience in images, thanks in part to Imogen Poots' impressive performance as Lidia.