WRIF 2026 Film: The Chronology of Water

Through loss, love, and self-discovery, a woman transforms pain into art—and writes a life on her own terms. Join us afterwards for a post-screening decompression and guided discussion lead by WISE.

Based on the beloved memoir by Lidia Yuknavitch and marking the directorial debut of Kristen Stewart, The Chronology of Water is a raw and unflinching portrait of survival, sexuality, and self-invention. The film traces Lidia’s life from her earliest memories in the Pacific Northwest, as a promising swimmer, through fractured relationships, near-motherhood, addiction, and encounters with artistic heroes. Told as a fluid memory wash, the story transforms trauma into art, embodying Yuknavitch’s defiant voice that made her work a modern cult classic. It is not only a chronicle of a woman becoming a writer, but a visceral journey through the wreckage and resilience of a life lived against the grain. Since premiering at Cannes, The Chronology of Water has won awards at Miskolc International Film Festival, Savannah Film Festival and the IndieWire Honors.

This film centers themes of childhood sexual abuse. Viewer discretion is advised.

Presented by Literary Arts Bridge at Dartmouth College and in partnership with Wise