Amreeka

A kind, gentle, hardworking Palestinian woman and her son travel to America, seeking a better future, on the backdrop of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Even though their country has nothing to do with Al-Qeada or the events of 9/11, they are still shut out, discriminated and even bullied by some xenophobes who believe they should go home. This is a quick outline of what the movie Amreeka is portraying, but it is a vague summary that does not do justice to this little gem that I've had the fortune to watch.
Amreeka is not a political movie and does not have religious messages. It deals with problems that probably all people from the Middle East have to face once they immigrate to America. Even though most Americans no longer have this narrow-minded view on immigrants, some still harbour some very prejudiced ideas about foreigners from the Middle East.

But Amreeka is all about hope, because Muna, the struggling mother, smiles sweetly and kindly to everyone, even if they insult or laugh at her or even pity her. She suffers but she has hope and she always finds a reason to be happy, if only a little. Her excitement and passion are shown in her love for her son. She tries to do everything for him, that is why she takes this chance of going to the US so she can offer him a higher education and a better life. So when he strays from the right path because of some bullying at school and bad entourage, she tells him that he should never be ashamed of who he really is and he should stand up proud, because no one has the right to tell him he doesn't belong in America or any other place. And I think the message of the movie is just that: we are all humans, we are all the same, no matter our country and we must learn to accept and live with each other, otherwise there will always be wars. Muna is the woman who accepts everyone even if she is not always accepted and I believe that is what makes her so likeable. She is a breath of fresh air for everyone.
Cherien Dabis, the writer and director, grew up in America during the Golf War as the daughter of Jordanians and she also suffered some discrimination in her childhood so this movie is a statement of her beliefs and experiences.
The movie is an experience, a journey that one takes with Muna from Palestine, where her country is under siege, to America where she is not accepted. And still, after many obstacles, at the end Muna smiles and looks triumphant.