Films focusing on the struggles of everyday life for immigrants living into the United States aren’t a dime-a-dozen, but in this political climate, they are more vital than ever. Namour, by Egyptian-American writer-director Heidi Saman, tells the story of a young Arab-American (Kalim Saleh) who struggles between serving as a valet for a distinguish Los Angeles restaurant and the demands from his immigrant family.

“The recession is what inspired me to write the film,” Saman tells EW. “I was in my 20s when it happened. I myself had the feeling of ‘You’ve just graduated, you’re part of a mobile middle class and you have all these opportunities ahead.’ I felt like the recession took all of that away. I saw friends lose jobs. Some lose their home. And I thought the idea of having all this potential and then it’s taken away was interesting. What do you do with that?...