For eight years, young Walaa was raised in Balata Refugee Camp while her mother was held in an Israeli jail. Now that her mother has been released in a much-publicized prisoner swap, Walaa can finally focus on her lifelong dream: joining the Palestinian Security Forces. What makes this dream difficult to attain is that few women make it into the forces. Strong-willed Walaa is her own worst enemy: she breaks the rules of training and struggles with discipline. Shooting over six years, and with unprecedented access to the Palestinian Police Academy, filmmaker Christy Garland observes a spirited young woman yearning to serve her people. Will Walaa successfully tackle her demons and manage to craft a meaningful career for herself? Aisha Jamal
Co-presented with Toronto Palestine Film Festival.