Leila is a sensitive, 64-year-old transgender schoolteacher in Herat, Afghanistan who is permanently navigating and negotiating her place in an antagonistic world. Although she carries a heavy past, Leila poignantly displays that she is not hiding her ambiguous identity even when facing shocking adversity and abuse. At the same time her artistry, irresistible charm and indispensable social skills captivate others and let her relish life too. Leila remains a complex and compelling survivor, even after the Taliban retake control of the country and ultimately determine Leila’s immediate future.
