
It’stheendofthe1980s,inaprovincialtownincommunistRomania.Ioana,a13y.o.student,endsupintheschool’smedicalofficeregardingatummyache,tofindoutfromthenurseshehasherfirstperiod. Withoutreceivinganyempathyfromtheadultsaround,shegetssenthomeandtriestocopewiththeevent.Shewashesthebloodonherunderwear,sheeats,sheliesinbedwithcramps,andatonepointwecanseeherputtingsomeredlipstickonfromanearlyfinishedcontainer. Withherlipstickonandunboundhairshegoesdownstairs,wherehersisterwaskissingherboyfriendonabench.Atfirstshegetsironisedaboutthelipstick,thenthetwosistersgetintoanargumentaboutIoananotbeingabletogotobuydailygroceries,butintheendthetwoteenagersrealizeIoanahasarealproblemandheroldersistergoeshomewithherofferingherthecomfortandadvicesheneededsomuchandpromisingshewillbethereforher.