Overview

In impoverished Baghdad under Saddam's dictatorship, 16-year-old Amal hopes to regain her social status at school by volunteering to find a book as a class gift for the departing literature teacher. Meanwhile, her emotionally fragile little brother becomes obsessed with the notion that a visiting uncle from America--whom he confuses with Santa Claus--will bring him toys. Ashamed never to have been able to give his son a toy, the child's father sells some more prized family possessions and buys a model car for him.

Cast

Nora Armani

Amal's Mother

Demosthenes Chrysan

Amal's Father

May Calamawy

Hala (as May El Calamawy)

Nikhail Asnani

Fareeda's Son