Corner Store

Immigration and Family

Corner Store is the true story of Yousef Elhaj; beloved shop owner, Palestinian immigrant and long-distance father. Ten years ago, Yousef left his wife and three small children in Palestine to start a new life for them all in San Francisco. For the past decade he has worked day and night to build a small business, save money, and become part of his adopted community while still trying to stay connected from afar. The film profiles Yousef's life in San Francisco and the challenges of the immigration process for his family. It then follows his journey back to his fractured homeland to finally reunite with his wife and kids. But a lot has changed, and Yousef must confront the current realities in both his family and his country and decide if a new life in America is really still the right path for them to take.

Corner Store faithfully documents Yosuef's resoundingly universal tale of hard won choices for a better life, now set on the back drop of San Francisco and modern-day Palestine. Compelling and emotionally-engaging, the film is a story about community relationships, cultural understanding, immigration, and the politics of living in an occupied territory. Even more, the film is about family, the sacrifices people make for each other, and the deep connections that bind us all together.