Director: Helene Klodawsky
From: Canada
Year: 2007 Minutes: 88
Language: English
Genre: Drama

Raising teenaged daughters is not easy, especially for Ayan, a Somalian refugee living in Canada who also supports a husband and two sons left behind in Somalia. Living in her small Vancouver apartment with her daughters -- Nasrah, 17, and Leila, 15 -- Ayan is trying to keep everything together, but is evicted from her apartment for late payment. Because Ayan is unable to afford the soaring rents on her two service jobs, and the Canadian social services are unable to assist in placing her, she and her two daughters must move into a Family Motel. Ayan keeps her faith and dignity throughout these challenging times and, with great fortitude, strives to make the best of her difficult situation. Further drama ensues when Nasrah and Leila begin to rebel against their mother and start developing close relationships with the neighbors, who present characteristics quite different from what Ayan, a devout Muslim, is accustomed to.