Seeds of a Nation

Never did I imagine I would be recording secret phone calls from my friend, from one of the world’s worst political prisons.

Peter Ajak, child soldier turned Harvard graduate, returns to his beloved South Sudan, the world’s youngest and “most broken” nation. Peter calls for peace amidst power-driven war — until one day, the president arrests him. This changes everything for Peter, his wife and young children, and even this film. Peter is eventually targeted for assassination and must seek asylum in the U.S with his family. Life in America isn't easy, but it is here that Peter begins to see his role as a visionary, not critic. Peter creates a global coalition of allies for an election in South Sudan – its first ever, after 8 postponements. Most importantly, Peter no longer makes decisions alone. Peter and his wife Nyathon have come from opposite ends -- one obsessed with his young country, the other with her young family -- to realize that these aren't fighting interests. Saying their persecution “is the best thing that ever happened in our marriage," Peter and Nyathon continue on their quest for a South Sudan their children can one day call home. In summer 2023, it is announced that South Sudan will finally hold its first election in December 2024. Despite not yet having his status in the US, which is his only assurance of reentry and reunion with his family, Peter decides to return to his homeland. As when we started filming him 6 years ago, Peter is getting off a plane, leaving the safety of the West and landing in East Africa. This time, it is to run for President.