Parity Pipeline

Genre

Synopsis

The year is 2001. With only a small backpack, and a round-the-world ticket in her pocket, Isabella leaves her acting dreams and abysmal love life behind, and journeys to South East Asia to explore the next chapter of her life. After a two-day boat trip on the Mekong River, she lands in Luang Prabang, Laos, and immediately falls in love with the ancient Buddhist capital. During a visit to a local school where she learns that books are nearly impossible to find in Laos, she meets SOMXAY, a teen who shares her passion for stories, and Isabella decides to stay and open a local bookstore. The two become friends in spite of Somxay’s uncle being uneasy about his nephew’s attachment to a foreigner, but Isabella convinces Somxay’s family to let him work in her bookstore, which she built herself from ground up, and takes Somxay under her wings to become his legal guardian. Somxay moves in, and is beyond thrilled for the opportunity to help her run the bookstore. Now his mentor, Isabella teaches him about the vast world as depicted in famous literature. When Isabella offers a position to a feisty teen girl, Vanh, Somxay initially feels slighted, but soon him and Vanh develop a budding romance. Somxay’s growing love for the girl, coupled with his typical teenager’s emboldened attitude, tension escalates between him and Isabella. Eventually, Somxay chooses Vanh over his responsibilities at the bookstore and his friendship with Isabella, and the teen lovebirds move to the capital together. Saddened by her dear friend leaving, and feeling empty in the bookstore without him, Isabella wonders if it is even worth staying in Laos. She packs her bag and climbs to the top of Mount Phousi to say goodbye to Luang Prabang, but as she recalls her journey, it hits her: Laos is her home.