DVD Mini Review - Amreeka

Amreeka is a wonderful film written and directed by Cherien Dabis. It is the story of Muna Farah (Nisreen Faour) and her son Fadi (Melkar Muallem). Muna has two degrees and has worked in a bank in Palestine for many years. She is divorced. Fadi would very much move to America and when the opportunity presents itself they leave for "greener pastures." They go to live in suburban Illinois with Muna's sister Raghda (Haim Abbass) and her family. The time is when the Iraq war is getting started.

Muna and Fadi think that things will be better in the US but they are anything but. Muna cannot get a good job so she has to settle for work in a White Castle. Fadi has trouble in school because of anti Arabic sentiment. But there are some who lend a hand - including the school principal Mr. Novatski (Joseph Ziegler) who just happens to be Jewish.

Amreeka is a warm film with a big heart. It shows that even with life's ups and downs there is always room for laughter. The cast is wonderful and Faour really shines. And what can one say about Abbass - she is one of the best actresses working today. As for Dabis, I can't wait to see what she does in the future.

Check Amreeka out on DVD. You won't be sorry that you did.