The lead actress, Anaita Wali Zada, steals the show in this beautifully told story of an Afghan girl who comes to the city of Fremont when she flees the Taliban.

Watching it in a theater with a full audience made it even more special as we laughed together when the story offered us comedic relief while addressing poignant moments and nuanced challenges that the character Donya faces in this new country she finds herself in and as she tries to restart her life.

My favorite part was how the director has ended the film. I wouldn't want to give it away so won't say much more than that here. It is a film that I highly recommend to anybody who loves beautiful stories that move you and leave you thinking fondly about the characters even after it is over.

The story of Donya, an Afghan immigrant, who was a translator for the US Army and left her country and family when the Taliban took over (again!). She is now relocated to Fremont, California, in a community of Afghan immigrants and trying to find meaning and purpose in her new home. Donya just can't sleep probably traumatized by her life and work for the US Army in Afghanistan. This is a tender story of the loneliness of being an immigrant played in with wry, comedic and zesty energy by Anaita Wali Zada. And then comes along a potential love interest, Jeremy Allen White (The Bear)....

I loved this adorable and droll film from Babak Jalali. This film alone made the trip to Sundance worth it!

I was intrigued how Babak Jalali, the director focused his lens on this beautiful story of Donya, an Afghan immigrant, left her family and county when the Taliban took over, a girl who comes to the city of Fremont to find new life and new purpose.

I found myself wanting to know more about Donya's character and was very curious about where her life in the story will enfold. I can relate as an immigrant myself, to Donya's struggles and longing to fit in and to live a normal life in a new country. Seeing it presented in black and white heightened each element.

I love the film, the story and the cinematography is stunning, a well done film by Babak Jalali and his team. A must see film.