Bitterroot

When life is thrown into chaos, sometimes both comfort and a path forward lie in the most familial of places. Rural Montana provides such an opportunity for a middle-aged man reeling from a failed marriage, now responsible for taking care of his aging mother… and her root vegetable garden. As he shoulders this duty, his attempts at finding peace are stymied as the stunning landscapes around him are struck by wildfire. The Hmong community has rarely been seen like this, as director Vera Brunner-Sung creates a contemplative and deeply affecting portrait that hooks the audience with breathtaking shots from beginning to end. At a time when we all long for connection and tenderness, we’re treated to moments steeped in intimacy by a filmmaker just beginning to unearth the full range of her power. (Tribeca Film Festival)