Ahmad, a Syrian militant, wakes up concussed in the desert after an explosion and can’t remember what side of the war he was fighting for. As he survives the walk to a safe outpost called Ithriyah, he discovers a small vial of perfume in his pocket that triggers memories of his mother and sister. The memories begin to paint a picture of uncomfortable truths of his past and set him on a collision course against his current self.
Canadian Feature
The Names Of The Flowers
As Bolivia stages the 50th anniversary of Ernesto "Che" Guevara’s death, Julia an old countryside teacher is invited to share her historical story with the world: Giving a bowl of soup to the captured guerrilla in her classroom while he recited a poem about flowers to her, a few hours before his death. The invitation is withdrawn soon after, as other women step forward, claiming the story of “the soup and the flower” as their own.
Nolan: Here Nor There
Nolan: Here Nor There is the coming-of-age tale of a young man growing up on a reserve in the throes of a suicide epidemic. His mother, fearing for his life, sends him to live with family in Ft. Qu’Appelle. He meets a quirky girl and a residential school survivor who become supports as he navigates his personal grief and finds his place in history and the treaty relationship.
Blue Hour
Lee, an anxious young man living in rural Alberta, is about to start a new job in road construction. Confounded by the news of an illness in the family and masculinity stereotypes– Lee must decide whether to stay or go.
Mercy
FINN is sent to prison for a crime of mercy. Inside the prison, Finn meets M, a young, charismatic prisoner and the two form an immediate bond. This restricted life grows complicated when Finn meets TONY, a violent, dangerous prisoner who, after a physical altercation between the two, becomes hellbent on taking what little freedom Finn still has.