Documentary Feature Competition presented by ACE91

Riders on the Storm

Mar 13, 2023

11:15am – 12:56pm CT

"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.

Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.

Directors
photo of Jason Motlagh
photo of Mark Oltmanns

Credits

Directors:

Jason Motlagh, Mark Oltmanns

Executive Producer:

Bernadette McDaid, Rocky Collins

Producer:

Jason Motlagh, Mark Oltmanns

Cinematographer:

Mark Oltmanns

Editor:

Christina Stiles

Sound Designer:

Peter Albrechtsen

Music:

William Ryan Fritch

Principal Cast:

Khaiber Akbarzada, Gulbuddin "Kalakov" Mulakhil, Gulbuddin Tashkargani, Faisal Hassan

Additional Credits:

Supervising Producer: Brook Holston, Associate Producers: Abdul Hameed Rasekh, Aziz Ahmad Tassal, Associate Editor: Cassidy Damore, Additional Camera Operators: Matthew Cipollone, Jordan Bryon

Contact

Distributor:

Sebastian Burkhardt
Sebastian.Burkhardt@redbull.com

Public Film Contact:

Emily Gottlich
Red Bull Studios
em.gottlich@redbull.com
310-733-6736

Publicity Contact:

Frank PR
clareanne@frankpublicity.com
(323) 965-1990

Sales Agent:

MetFilm - mitch.clare@metfilm.co.uk

Primary Access
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Secondary Access
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About
Year:
2023
Premiere Status:
Screening Category:
Country:
Runtime:
101 mins
Accessibility
Subtitled