The Ornithologist

Fernando starts his camping trip along a tranquil riverbank in Portugal, filled with excitement about birdwatching. He takes his yellow kayak out on the water, hoping to observe the diverse avian life of the region.

While engrossed in birdwatching, Fernando's kayak is unexpectedly swept away by strong currents. This thrilling moment culminates in a dramatic capsize, leaving him unconscious in the water.

Meanwhile, two Chinese women, Fei and Lin, are hiking through the nearby woods when they stumble upon Fernando's lifeless body. Despite their initial fear, their determination drives them to try and resuscitate him.

Despite the language barrier, the women manage to communicate with Fernando in broken English. He explains that they are lost in the woods, while they share their superstitions about the spirits lurking in the forest.

Fearing for their safety, the women bind Fernando to a tree as a precaution, ignoring his frantic pleas to be freed. This creates a rift between them, revealing the tensions of their differing beliefs.

Under the cover of darkness, Fernando manages to escape his restraints and climbs a cliff in search of help. He finds himself in a surreal environment where his phone proves ineffective in reaching out.

Fernando witnesses a tribal ceremony under a full moon, where men perform a ritual dance around a fire, ending in the sacrifice of a boar. This strange experience marks a turning point in his surreal journey.

Amid the chaos, Fernando meets Jesus, a deaf and mute goat herder. Although their initial interaction is fraught with distrust, they bond over a shared swim, leading to an unexpected friendship.

As their relationship grows, Fernando introduces Jesus to his binoculars, marking a deepening connection. However, jealousy erupts when Fernando notices that Jesus wears his sweatshirt, resulting in a fierce confrontation.

In a moment of anger and despair, Fernando stabs Jesus, fatally wounding him. This tragic event dramatically shifts the tone of the narrative and leaves Fernando grappling with guilt and loss.

Continuing his journey, Fernando discovers an apple tree and bird eggs, providing him with sustenance. This moment of nourishment contrasts sharply with his emotional turmoil following the tragic incident.

Fernando stumbles upon an abandoned mission abbey filled with statues of saints and angels. In a moment of reflection, he engages in a unique dialogue with Koi fish in a pond, pondering life's mysteries.

Suddenly, the sound of a horn signals the approach of three topless women on horseback, accompanied by dogs. They check on Fernando after hunting an elk, but he declines their offer of assistance.

In a bizarre turn, Fernando encounters a lifeless body and inadvertently brings it back to life. The revived man, Anthony, engages him in an existential conversation about life, death, and belief.

As their conversation deepens, Thomas, a figure from Anthony's past, appears and fatally wounds Fernando. This tragic climax profoundly shapes the interconnected destinies of the characters.

The scene shifts to the town of Padua, where Fernando's fate intertwines with that of Jesus and Anthony. In a bizarre twist, the two Chinese women are seen happily waving to them from across the street.