IntheradioactiveDeadZonesurroundingChernobyl’sReactorNo.4,adefiantcommunityofwomenscratchesoutanexistenceonsomeofthemosttoxiclandonEarth.Theysharethishauntinglybeautifulbutlethallandscapewithanassortmentofinterlopers—scientists,soldiers,andeven‘stalkers’—youngthrill-seekerswhosneakintopursuepost-apocalypticvideogame-inspiredfantasies.Whythefilm’scentralcharacters,HannaZavorotyna,MariaShovkuta,andValentynaIvanivna,chosetoreturnafterthedisaster,defyingtheauthoritiesandendangeringtheirhealth,isaremarkabletaleaboutthepullofhome,thehealingpowerofshapingone’sdestinyandthesubjectivenatureofrisk.