Malaya Qaunirq Chapman

A young Inuk woman wants to build a new future for herself after a spontaneous and extremely public exit from her marriage. It won't be easy in a small Arctic town where everybody knows your business.

Julia, a Los Angeles photographer, journeys to the Canadian Arctic. Her whimsical trip becomes a life threatening disaster. Julia, abandoned, ill equipped, and stranded on sea ice, is rescued by Malaya, a young Inuit girl. Julia discovers the dark truth of Malaya's world.

Surprised at the loss of her innocence, the young Inuk Elsa draws courage and strength from her rugged land to become a woman as independent as the restless river that cuts across it. She becomes the very young mother of a child whose surprising destiny breaks with the millennial traditions of her ancestors. Navigating the social norms of the colonizers and the reality of her own family situation, the dreariness of a relationship that is not right for her, and the rebellion of her teenage son, Elsa’s path follows the winding course of the indomitable river that accompanies her every turn in life.

Follow this ever brief conversation that is deeper then the actual words between the two woman and their families. Set in the landscape of Iqaluit, a conversation at the airport and a woman’s slow drive home all tell the story in this gentle searing story of grief.

Five Indigenous women filmmakers from across Canada challenge one another to make a film under a set of restrictions tailored to each filmmaker.