Window Horses

Rosie Ming, an aspiring poet living in Vancouver, self-publishes a poetry book that draws attention. This work catches the eye of organizers of a poetry festival in Shiraz, Iran, who invite her to participate on the international stage.

Gloria and Stephen initially oppose Rosie's travel to Iran, fearing the journey and cultural clashes. Ultimately they relent after seeing her determination, even packing a black chador for her, only to learn that many festival guests will be puzzled by her presence since Rosie is not a devout Muslim.

At an early competition, Rosie performs by singing her poem, which is provocative in Iran and earns poor scores. Mehrnaz remains supportive and later guides Rosie to the tomb of Shiraz’s poet Hafez for inspiration. Dietmar, openly disdainful of Rosie's Parisian sensibilities, sees his satirical piece flop until Rosie helps propose a slam and the two improvise a joint piece that wins the crowd.

Mehrnaz tasks Rosie with translating one of Di Di's poems into English for the festival's finale, turning a personal dream into a shared performance. The guidance also hints at the political weight behind Di Di's work.

In conversations with Di Di, Rosie learns the Chinese poet is a political exile who spent time in the United Kingdom during the Beijing massacre and has refused to return to China. Di Di urges Rosie to make the translated poem her own, embracing its political edge.

Early in the festival, Rosie learns that Mehran is her Iranian father she believed had abandoned the family when she was seven. The revelation reshapes her understanding of her family's history and her own place in Iran.

Mehran hails from a prominent Shiraz family and originally trained to be a fighter pilot during the Shah era. After the Revolution, his ties to the Shah lead to his removal from the Air Force, and he later becomes a poetry and literature teacher. He is later drawn back into service during the Iran-Iraq War, and eventually deserts.

Mehran returns to Iran to see his dying mother, but is arrested upon arrival and has his passport revoked. The consequences cast a shadow over Rosie’s family feelings and foreshadow the reunion.

Grief-stricken by the developments, Caroline drives recklessly and is killed in a car accident. Her death closes a painful chapter for Rosie and highlights the fractured family history.

After Mehran is released and cannot be with Rosie, he invites her to come live with him in Iran. Rosie’s grandparents counter by telling her a false tale that Mehran abandoned her when she was a child.

As the festival nears its climax, Mehran is hospitalized with pneumonia, and Rosie rushes to his side. She learns that he has waited for her, even as his health falters.

A doctor gives Rosie Mehran's home address, and relatives welcome her, sharing letters Mehran wrote that Gloria and Stephen had kept hidden. Rosie begins to see a fuller picture of the family she has long sought.

Relatives replace Rosie's chador with a headscarf and casual attire so she can perform. Mehran appears in the audience as Rosie recites a revised take on Di Di's poem, marking the long-awaited father–daughter reunion.