Directed by Iara Lee ∙ 2013 ∙ Pakistan - United States ∙ 13'

Rumoured to be the descendants of Alexander the Great, the Kalash people have in fact inhabited northern Pakistan's Chitral Valley long before the legendary conqueror came to the region. They uphold a rich cultural heritage with polytheistic beliefs, seasonal festivals, and a variety of other traditions that are at odds with Pakistan's dominant Islamic cultures.

Today, even as the majestic peaks of the Hindu Kush mountains shield the Kalasha from the region's worst violence, their culture faces a variety of pressures: poverty, the encroachment of tourism and capitalism, and religious extremism are all contributing to the erosion of Kalash identity. THE KALASHA AND THE CRESCENT portrays this resilience and shows how a dedicated group of Kalash advocates are fighting to keep their culture alive.

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