A Palestinian mother’s determination to get her son out of the West Bank, to a better life, is the driving force of this independent film.  And of all places, they settle in rural Illinois–talk about cultural shock.  The acting is wonderful on the part of Nisreen Faour, who plays the mother, Muna.  To watch her 16 year old son Fadi, played by Melkar Muallen, find his way through the minefields of high school, brought back some old memories for me.  A touching, sensitive movie that, I hope, gives one pause to look beyond the surface.  Don’t pass this one up.

3 1/4 stars — DVD

http://youtu.be/EJS7vturIvk