Rain in a Dry Land

Continuing the recent flurry of documentaries about the contemporary immigrant experience in America, Anne Makepeace's Rain in a Dry Land follows two Somalian refugee families—Aden and Madina and their seven children, and single mother Arbai and her four youngsters—who are relocated by relief agencies from a Kenyan camp to the U.S. The focus, predictably, is on their effort to assimilate into an entirely foreign culture, but what distinguishes this film is its rich characters, combined with a mixture of poignancy and humor. Despite the efforts of their hosts and local compatriots, the couple—placed in Springfield, MA—struggle to stay afloat, with Aden sinking into depression and Madina refusing to take the steps that would continue their subsidies. On the other hand, Arbai—relocated to Atlanta—remains resolutely upbeat and determined, even when one of her daughters grows sullen and rebellious. By film's end, both families are moving, even if haltingly, towards self-sufficiency (a birth and a wedding are celebrated, and contact is made with missing relatives presumed dead). An expertly edited documentary, Rain in a Dry Land may tell a familiar story, but it stands out in a crowded field. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)