The Film

Corner Store is a feature length documentary being produced in San Francisco California. Structured as a first-person narrative with an informal and intimate tone, and shot with largely vérité cinematography, the camera introduces the audience to Yousef Elhaj: Yousef left Palestine ten years ago during the second Intifada, forced to leave his wife and children behind as an economic refugee. During the interceding decade Yousef has not only worked alone in the store but has also lived alone in the store in the small room in the back, which also serves as the office and stock room. As his children have grown into young adults, he has only been to visit them once, and then for only ten days. Yet he has put everything into ensuring the success of his business working from eight in the morning until midnight or two in the morning seven days a week and 365 days a year – for ten years.

During the film his dreams become a reality and the camera follows his return to Palestine, his family’s emotional reunion, and his reaction to the realities of living in the occupied West Bank today. It captures his difficult decision to move his teenage children from the only place they have known and to sever the family’s last remaining roots to their homeland. It then follows the family as they embark on new challenges and adjustments as Palestinian-Americans in the United States.

Through this journey, the film explores the complex themes of cultural identity, the difficulties of legal immigration, and economic isolation. It strives to inspire empathy, build awareness, and increase understanding—compelling viewers to consider their own assumptions and biases; reflect on how they relate to their neighborhoods and larger communities; and imagine how to consciously live life in a real and significant way. cornerstorefront We invite you to join us in exploring the themes and issues that surround this journey, and hope that you will share this story with your own community. As this tale unfolds we will keep you updated with information about the project, the story as well as screening and fundraising events.

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