Amreeka Film By Cherien Dabis

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Amreeka is an independent film written and directed by Cherien Dabis. The film documents the lives of a Palestinian American family living in post 9/11 suburban Chicago. The film portrays the life of Muna Farah (Nisreen Faour), a divorced Palestinian Christian mother, raising her teenage son. She works within the West Bank as an accountant. Her life in the West Bank is filled with turmoil. Farah is caught in the middle of sectarian battle in that region until one day, her luck changes once she is awarded an American green card through the lottery. At first, she is hesitant to take the offer, but she reconsiders after discovering her son was harassed by Israeli soldiers. The director’s objective was to show the audience the struggle of migrating …show more content…

It is based upon the directors own personal experience, as she comes from a Palestinian back ground. Her parents migrated to the United States. During the first Gulf War, she remembers the similar ostracism that is faced by Muna and her sisters family as the war in Iraq continues. Amreeka is a heartwarming film, which will touch the hearts of many audiences. Dabis did a great job informing the viewers on the struggle most immigrants go through and also expresses the misconceptions many Americans have of Arabs. She focuses on all the characters in the film to show the viewers how each individual grew from their experiences. Muna portrays a single mother who leaves everything behind in so she along with her son can have a better future. Munas sister, who left Palestine more than fifteen years ago, still struggles adjusting to an American lifestyle. Along with her husband, who is a successful doctor, reaches a downfall in regards of his patients once 9/11 occurs. And Fadi, who encounters prejudice at school, but finds a friend in Salma his cousin, who always came to his rescue. The film also shows a bond that is shared within different characters in the movie. As we see, the main characters struggle to adjust to the American society, but they are able to find friends who help them throughout the movie. Muna finds a friend in Mr. Novatski, who becomes her ally in rough times and comes to her rescue when she needs

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