Riders on the Storm

Riders on the Storm captures a pivotal moment in Afghan history and offers a rare and visceral look at a ruthless sports culture where champions become marked men. As US forces leave Afghanistan, ending the longest war in American history, the Taliban is gaining ground. Young horseman Khaiber Akbarzada quickly rises to become one of the best players of buzkashi -- the ancient sport where riders battle for control of a headless goat -- but soon learns that fame is both a gift and a curse. To avoid the same fate as his uncle, a legendary buzkashi star who was assassinated during the civil war, he goes into hiding and must ultimately make a choice that will alter the course of his life. (South by Southwest Film Festival)