Plover chick Ploey is too scared too learn flying in time to follow his family and girlfriend on annual migration. Saving him from the bird of prey Shadow, who terrorizes the Nordic coastal town where they nest near a cliff proved fatal for his father. He's left alone for winter, but sets out on foot and hooks up first with local birds, then with big bird mentor Giron, who has his own trauma but sets him on the path to the legendary winter paradise valley, oddly up north. Arriving there, he must reassess and finally learns to fly, then has to face the ruthless Shadow in an epic duel.—KGF Vissers