Empire of Dirt

As in many Native American families, Lena Mahikan grew up in the cycle of abuse. Her father, an alcoholic, killed himself when Lena was 10. Her mother, only 14 years her senior, turned to gambling. By the time Lena was 15 she was pregnant and, before giving birth, thrown out by her mom. For 13 years Lena has been living in poverty in Toronto. Now the cycle continues as Lena watches helplessly as her own daughter, Peeka spirals out of control, landing herself in the ER following a drug overdose. As her final attempt at survival, Lena decides to return home and face her own mother and a past she's tried desperately to escape. (Zlín Film Festival)