Filmmaker Ben Sturgulewski thought he had a completed short film. Then the American military’s withdrawal from the country changed the lives of many of the people profiled in the movie.
Ben Sturgulewski directed the documentary “Champions of the Golden Valley,” which examines ski culture in Afghanistan in the lead-up to a time when the country faced a dramatic transition. Sturgulewski holds makeshift skis used in an event. The film will be screened at the Anchorage International Film Festival.
A bulk of the full-length documentary film features the Bamyan Ski Club and coach Alishah Farhang as they prep for a big local ski race — the Afghan Ski Challenge. But it also follows Farhang to Germany, where he fled as a refugee in late 2021.“Champions of the Golden Valley” is one of the featured films at the Anchorage International Film Festival, which kicks off this week. Theat 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub.
Mujtaba takes off at the start of the Afghan Ski Challenge in this photo captured from"Champions of the Golden Valley." Ben Sturgulewski directed and Katie Stjernholm produced the documentary “Champions of the Golden Valley,” which examines ski culture in Afghanistan in the lead-up to a time when the country faced a dramatic transition. The film will be screened at Anchorage International Film Festival.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Anchorage Assembly approves expanded design for Port of Alaska’s cargo terminalsAssembly Vice Chair Meg Zaletel called the measures “big milestones in a very long-term project.”
Read more »
Former Alaska Rep. LeDoux’s long-delayed election misconduct trial starts in AnchorageThe former Republican legislator faces 12 charges, including five felonies. LeDoux has pleaded not guilty.
Read more »
Ranked choice repeal now failing by just 45 votes after Tuesday results updateRoughly 5,800 ballots remain to be counted, largely from Anchorage and rural Alaska.
Read more »
‘Drag racing for dogs:’ Anchorage canines gather for the ‘Great Alaska Barkout’Alaska’s first “flyball” league held its annual “Great Alaska Barkout Flyball Tournament” on Saturday in midtown at Alyeska Canine Trainers.
Read more »
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center names fox after Anchorage artistAnchorage Artist Amanda Rose Warren loves wildlife and loves to paint wildlife, so she was delighted to hear that the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center would be naming a recently rescued fox after her.
Read more »
Turnout, ballot splitting and a blue Anchorage: 3 takeaways from Alaska’s election resultsA close look at the 340,510 ballots counted reveals new information on the way Alaskans cast their ballots.
Read more »