“The Queen of Kalispell” is a coming of age story from Montana, and part of “The American Heartland” series conceived by Nusrat Durrani.

The American Heartland Series is a collection of short films featuring ordinary citizens in unknown parts of the USA, engaged in bittersweet, often extraordinary struggles that render them heroic. Its unforgettable protagonists include black activist Perman Hardy fighting for residents of Lowndes County (one of the poorest places in the developed world), to get a sewage system, and gay student Kedryn McElderry in gorgeous Flathead Valley, Montana, protesting the ugliness of white supremacy.

These inspiring stories of struggle and redemption are modern American folklore. Experimental in format, the films covered themes critical to the 2020 US Presidential election, including climate change, immigration, the refugee crisis, inequality, our indigenous tribes and heritage, LGBTQ issues, and capital punishment. Years later, these issues are even more urgent as we enter a volatile new chapter of the American project. The films reveal the true humanity of America that is missing from the headlines and national discourse.

The series was commissioned by You42 and conceived / executive produced by Nusrat Durrani who also shot a series of portraits and conducted dozens of audio interviews in different parts of the American heartland.

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Invisible Republic

The people and places of the country within the country are waiting for you

Two Medicine

The female ranchers of Gustafson show us that the American West is equally defined by cowgirls.

Running Past
Kaleab is in rush to change the world and make it habitable for his baby brother