In 1915-16 North Dakota, a largely forgotten era of American history comes alive in this poignant and gripping drama about young lovers caught up in a fight against the grain trade, banks, and railroads. The film tells the story of the founding of the Nonpartisan League, a populist political movement that would leave its mark on the nation's politics. Shot in stark black-and-white 16mm, Northern Lights is an unflinching portrayal of love, sacrifice, and conviction in the face of adversity, told with a grainy authenticity that draws you in and refuses to let go.