Lesley Johnson

Filmmaker/activist Melaw Nakehk’o has spent the pandemic with her family at a remote land camp in the Northwest Territories, “getting wood, listening to the wind, staying warm and dry, and watching the sun move across the sky.” In documenting camp life—activities like making fish leather and scraping moose hide—she anchors the COVID experience in a specific time and place.

Under the mentorship of controversial pop star Aryana Sayeed, two young singers vie to become the first-ever female winners of Afghan Star. As their dreams are within grasp, their lives change when the Taliban returns to power.

Blurred lines of friendship and an easy intimacy make Sasha think best friend Charlie is the one.