Aya

Aya awaits at the airport to collect someone, but finds herself picking up a complete stranger instead – Thomas Overby, a Danish music researcher visiting Israel as jury member of the Rubinstein Piano Competition. Thomas believes Aya to be his assigned driver. The young woman, intrigued by his presence and the random encounter, does not reveal the mix-up and mischievously sets off with him to his destination – Jerusalem. Their condensed journey to Jerusalem is where the film takes place. For Aya this “outside of life” situation seems like the realization of a childhood dream, but Thomas’ introvert and detached way of socializing hinders the proximity she is longing for. As tension builds between them, leading to mutual struggle, Aya confronts Thomas with the true nature of the situation, and is finally able to share pure intimacy with him. When they reach his hotel Thomas wishes to extend their experience, but for Aya the fleeting essence of their encounter is all she wished for.