Movies

Amreeka is America in Arabic. The theme of Amreeka is the meeting of two cultures.  It illustrates the dramatic actions of a single Palestinian woman Muna, who moves to America with her teenage son Fadi.   It explores both the challenges of life and politics in a new country.  The theme that I am exploring in this essay is the challenge of starting over in a new country.

The story begins with a shot of the main character Muna in her workplace at the bank.  Her manager is pressuring her as the wind blows the papers from her desk.  The camera is used continuously to show us Munas movement from the workplace through to a glossary of events that illustrate some of the challenges in Munas life.   She sees her divorced husband with another woman.  She re-lives the moment that she almost has a car accident.  She remembers the road block check.  Lastly, she recalls forgetting her mothers cigarettes in the car.   These snapshots represent Munas confusion as a single woman, and depression caused by the political control of the country.  

A long shot follows of Muna and Fadi in the car when leaving their village to travel to America.  They have just visited Munas mother and brother.  Fadis uncle gives him money as sign of love and concern.   Muna keeps her money and gifts in a secret place.   These shots represent the aridity and poverty of Palestine.
After they reach America, Muna loses her money at the airport.  They are then subjected to a police check-up which illustrates Americas mistrust of Arabian people and the seriousness with which they exercise anti-terrorism measures.   They are further subjected to a dog search and a full police check.  The fear and humiliation is apparent on Munas fearful face.   This is followed by full close-up shots of Munas happy reunion with her family. Her happiness at seeing them after a long absence is illustrated by the Islamic way of kissing each others faces.
 
Muna and Fadi start to adjust to their new life.  Fadi attends college and Muna looks for a job.   The challenges that they both face are illustrated by the new decisions that they now find themselves having to make.  It is shown when Muna goes to the check point to look for job and through the feelings she experiences. We see that she is divorced and living with her controlling mother.  At the same time however,
Muna has to get a job so that she can become financially independent.

Meanwhile, Fadi stubbornly and politically refuses to be kind.  However, he has the ability to be a man.  His character also illustrates the relationships between family members. Fadi and his cousin Salina play important roles by illustrating societys views of Arabian people. In class Salina says that terrorism is all about indecency and political bias.  Terrorists do it to seek governmental change.

Socially, Fadi and Salina also demonstrate the challenges faced by teenagers today, such as drugs and playing around with cars.  They also show how Arabian people fight for their rights, not through terrorism but by avoiding racism and discrimination.  This is shown by the classmate who fought Fadi.   Munas stress causes her to fall down at work.   This leads to the familys discovery that Muna is not working in an office but instead, is working at a burger joint.   Muna has been hiding this from her family.

Also illustrative of the terrorist theme, is Abash who is a doctor.  He loses his job because clients refuse to attend his clinic due to his race.  There is a shot of Abash watching television. The director uses the television to present the other side of terrorism which shows Arabian people as the victims of accidental bombings.
Raghdas character plays an important role by demonstrating the importance of religion, and maintaining cultural identity. She shows this when her daughter Salina comes home late.  Salina and Fadi lie to Raghda by saying that they have only just returned from a movie.  Raghda points out that as long as they are Palestinian, they will live the way Palestinians live.   She also challenges her husband by asking him to look for a gun to use as protection.  She fears that people may attack them simply for being Palestinian.  

The director uses most the cast to illustrate aspects of Palestinian culture.  He explores the characters relationships with each other as well as their interactions with their new culture.   Throughout, he also portrays the humanity experienced in everyday life. He draws parallels between an American check point with all its cars lined up, and the idea of Palestinians lining up to leave their country.

The director also enhances the Arabian theme by using Arabian music.  The timing of the film is well designed by starting in Palestine and ending in America.  Just as the film is a journey of discovery, so is the literal move from Palestine to America.  Cinematography adds to the artfulness of the film. The film reveals a new start to two lives seen very much through the emotive eyes of the lead characters. The camera work and the style of acting, stays true to the Palestinian way of movement, and the portrayal of the Palestinian economy.  The audience were attracted by the directors way of maintaining formalism.

Arabic language was used in the film as a symbol of culture and to show ethnic differences.  The use of classical Arabic songs assists in the narrative and story-telling aspect of the film.  People with either the relevant language skills or physical strength were cast in the lead and supporting roles, which were not necessarily people from Palestine.

The director ends the film by composing the family and Fadis teacher in a round table composition.  He includes Fadis teacher because he has helped the family make their adjustment to American life.  He helps to release Fadi from the police station after Fadi has fought his mothers enemies.  The film ends by the family enjoying a Palestinian dinner. Its a hopeful ending.