What began as a love story between two women turned into an international socio-political thriller―spotlighting media excesses and the thin line between truth and falsehood in the Internet age.

Now, the story behind this incredible true-life drama is the subject of a new feature documentary. The Amina Profile, directed by Sophie Deraspe and co-produced by Montreal-based production company esperamos and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), premieres in the World Cinema Documentary Competition at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.

The Amina Profile explores the story of “Amina Arraf,” a Syrian-American revolutionary whose blog A Gay in Damascus acquires a huge following as the Syrian uprising gains momentum. Sandra Bagaria, a smart young Montreal professional, is involved in an online affair with her when Amina is allegedly abducted by the Syrian secret police—sparking an international movement to save her from torture, rape or even death. Playing out like a detective story, The Amina Profile involves American intelligence agencies, major global media outlets, and a host of activists and sympathizers. But what started as a love story becomes the tale of an unprecedented media and sociological hoax, infotainment, deceit and betrayal.

Travelling from San Francisco to Istanbul, Washington, Tel Aviv and Beirut, director Sophie Deraspe chronicles Bagaria’s quest to track down the key players who will ultimately reveal the identity of her erstwhile lover. Deraspe’s stunning cinematography mixes feminine sensuality and revolutionary fervour, immersing viewers in the Middle East as they join her on the trail of an elusive quarry. Examining desire and the notion of true connection, The Amina Profile explores the gap between self and other, fantasy and authenticity.

For more info on the film as well as screening times please visit profile on film