Born in America, she is an independent filmmaker whose parents are from Palestine and Jordan. Cherien Dabis’ debut film Amreeka is a Dubai Film Connection project that went on to win the FIPRESCI award at the Cannes Director’s Fortnight, as well receiving great acclaim at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Amreeka is being distributed by National Geographic Entertainment (via an arrangement with Imagenation Abu Dhabi). Even in limited release, it played to packed theaters across the United States and will be competing in the Muhr Arab Awards at the 2009 Dubai International Film Festival (screening times: Dec 12, at 10pm and Dec 15, at 2.15pm). In this open letter, Cherien Dabis talks about the immigrant experience in America: growing up as Arabs in a quaint little town in Omaha, Nebraska, and how that made her want to become a filmmaker:

Amreeka
by writer/director Cherien Dabis

It’s no wonder that Americans can relate to the universal immigrant themes in Amreeka. America is a country of immigrants after all, some who arrived centuries ago, others who are arriving as you read this. But despite where they came from and when they arrived, they all seem to understand what it means to struggle. And perhaps it’s precisely because they have their own coming-to-America stories that they’re inspired to ask me how autobiographical Amreeka is. The question usually goes something like this: “The story feels so personal. What inspired it? Is it autobiographical at all?” It’s a double question really, two questions that go hand-in-hand. And in order to best answer it, I’ll tell you my story. continue reading »»