Victor Erice writes and directs this Spanish drama based on Adelaida García Morales's short story. The film follows eight-year-old Estrella (Sonsoles Aranguren) as she comes of age in northern, post-war Spain. Throughout her childhood she remains fascinated with the south of the country where her mysterious father Agustín Arenas (Omero Antonutti) used to live. As she grows into a teenager, Estrella (Icíar Bollaín) tries to learn more about her father and discover why his homeland holds so much intrigue for them both.