The Chronology of Water (R18+)

A film by Kristen Stewart, starring Imogen Poots

Lidia Yuknavitch was on a path to self-destruction. Then she discovered words and the unexpected freedom that came with them. 

Based on a true story, The Chronology of Water is a film about trauma, grief, addiction, sexuality, motherhood, competitive swimming, violence, creativity and – ultimately – survival. It’s the story of one woman’s life and what it felt like to live through it.

Cast: Imogen Poots, Thora Birch, Jim Belushi, Charles Carrick, Earl Cave, Tom Sturridge, Susanna Flood, Esme Creed Miles, Michael Epp, Kim Gordon

Director: Kristen Stewart

★★★★ "An uncompromising debut that weaves Lidia Yuknavitch’s rich but troubled life into hypnotic poetry." EMPIRE

★★★★ "a film that captures something truthful about the way creativity works and how trauma never quite leaves you. And Poots really is mesmerising." SCOTSMAN

★★★★ "doesn’t flinch from showing the indignities, the messiness, and the trauma-induced choices made by its everywoman protagonist during her rocky journey" ARTS DESK

★★★★ "an intoxicating and thoughtfully crafted debut that announces Stewart as an intuitive and bold filmmaker to watch" THE LIST

★★★★ "Kristen Stewart's directorial debut pierces the water's surface as a jagged, rebellious, compelling memoir that refuses to be silenced." COMMON SENSE MEDIA

★★★★ "Stewart’s greatest asset in all of this is the 35-year-old Poots herself, whose performance here is career-best work: utterly fearless and ferociously real" DAILY TELEGRAPH UK

★★★★ "a living, breathing piece of art. It’s a masterful translation of an impossibly difficult life that, while deeply dark, never gives up on the possibility of finding the light" LOUD AND CLEAR