Ben Barenholtz, a legend and innovator of independent cinema in New York, presents Alina, an ultra low-budget film and his narrative feature debut at the age of 81. Alina follows the odyssey of a young Russian woman (played by Darya Ekamasova, one of Russia’s most accomplished actresses), who arrives in New York looking for her father, with only a 25-year-old photo in her possession to help. She finds a freedom she has never experienced and becomes immersed in the party scene, trying everything from sex to drugs until things go sour. With the help of friends, Alina discovers a raucous, loving Italian family, who help her discover her father’s true identity and the secrets her mother has been keeping. The film explores the hardships of immigration and assimilation, as well as the joy in finding real friendships and love.
