A volcanic island of hardened lava, black-sand beaches, and parched earth is no easy place to live. When Nia gives birth to Nana, she leaves the baby in the care of her family and sets off into an unknown world. The girl grows up under the watchful eye of her loving grandmother, surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins, attuned to the rhythms of nature. Then, as a teenager, Nana’s mother suddenly returns. Now she must face adulthood and learn to steer her own course. Hanami is a coming-of-age story blending realism with a touch of magic. The harshness of the landscape meets a folkloric, sometimes even surreal atmosphere—yet the film resists slipping into sentimental exoticism. It’s a quiet narrative, rooted in simple gestures and sparse expression, but full of tenderness toward its female protagonists. The island isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a living presence. Its landscape, captured in stunning frames (shot on Fogo), shapes Nana’s inner world. The island’s shifting light, the contrast between black sand and water, between severity and softness, define her nature. Hanami is a tribute to Cape Verde, suggesting one doesn’t need to leave to find a life in harmony. For this deeply personal debut, Denise Fernandes received the Best Newcomer award at the Locarno Film Festival—one of several accolades the film has earned.