Clementina Folmer

After numerous rejections, Ema's parents finally find a safe place for their daughter who has been diagnosed on the autism spectrum. In the loving community of the new primary school in the small town on the river, Ema can silently observe and explore the world at her own pace. The film gently follows Ema's small steps that evolve into magical moments.

In a working-class neighborhood, in the outskirts of a small town, a group of children is faced with a strange and terrifying incident, which will soon develop into a true epidemic: all adults have turned into “sleepy beings”. The children, petrified yet determined, try hard to keep their spirits high and not give up hope that somehow, someday, their parents will “wake up”. As this uncanny drama unfolds, the stories of the “sleepers” are uncovered through the traces of their absence. A poetic and haunting reflection on loneliness and loss, a silent cry for companionship and human touch.