The Uncanny Feeling of Being a Stranger in a Strange Land Katharina Rivilis' debut feature "I'll Be Gone in June" is a wispy but engaging drama that captures the essence of being a foreigner in a new land, particularly for young people navigating cultural differences and personal identities.
Set in 2001 New Mexico, just before the 9/11 attacks, the film follows Franny, a German teenager who arrives at a high school in Las Cruces as an exchange student.
Rivilis' own experience as an exchange student is palpable in the film's portrayal of Franny's observations and interactions with her host family and American peers.