The Orphan Sky

Growing up in Azerbaijan, 15-year-old Leila has experienced a life steeped in communism, from her grandfather's role as a Red Commissar to being a member of the Youth League of the Communist Party. When Leila is approached by the charming and attractive Comrade Farhad, she is eager to prove her worth by accepting his challenge to spy on the owner of a music store. Leila is also a renowned pianist with dreams of representing Azerbaijan in international competition. But the task becomes complicated when she is swept away by both melodies of foreign music and the mysterious anticommunist owner, Tahir. The stories and sounds place our protagonist in a tangled web of conflicted emotions, torn between her growing feelings for Tahir and her faltering confidence in the government. In addition, Leila is facing pressure to marry by family members trying to contain their own demons.