The film was shot in New York City and tells the story of Sam, an army veteran trying to rebuild a normal life after returning from service abroad. His life changes when he reunites with an Iraqi interpreter and meets Amira, who is wary of soldiers and focused on avoiding immigration trouble. When Sam offers her shelter and support, their relationship develops while external pressures mount, including a seemingly attractive but dubious career path offered through family connections.

Filming Locations:

Broadway and Canal Street

In the Movie

Scene where street moments are shown, with characters moving through a crowded Manhattan environment, using the constant flow of pedestrians and traffic to emphasize the tension of everyday life and the feeling of being watched while they try to stay unnoticed.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a busy intersection in Lower Manhattan, located at the junction of SoHo, Tribeca, and Chinatown. This spot is surrounded by chain stores, small businesses, and characterized by a constant flow of pedestrians. The intersection is easily recognizable by its wide roadway, convenient access to the subway nearby, and the continuous mix of locals, tourists, and delivery traffic, creating a unique atmosphere of urban hustle.

Bay Ridge Promenade

In the Movie

Scene where calmer outdoor moments are shown, where characters can talk away from the crowd, using the open horizon and harbor backdrop to create a more private atmosphere and a sense of temporary safety compared to the busier streets of Manhattan.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a waterfront promenade along Shore Road in Brooklyn, offering wide views of the Narrows and an excellent view of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The promenade is equipped with benches and railings, elevated above the shoreline, making it a calm, cozy alternative to the busiest tourist waterfronts, offering locals and visitors a peaceful place for rest and walks.

Canal Street Station

In the Movie

Scene where shows transit-oriented moments that emphasize movement, urgency, and the practical decisions characters make to move quickly through the city, with station entrances and adjacent sidewalks grounding the story in everyday New York realities.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a major subway station complex serving Lower Manhattan, which connects several lines and opens directly onto one of the busiest shopping and transportation corridors in the area. The entrances around Broadway and Canal Street are located in a dense, noisy urban landscape with a constant flow of pedestrians almost any time of day, making it an iconic location for the city's rhythm.

Empire State Building

In the Movie

Scene where recognizable urban visuals are used to define place and scale, confirming that the characters' personal stakes are played out in a vast, impersonal metropolis where iconic landmarks coexist with mundane struggles.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at an iconic Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, which anchors the cityscape and serves as a visual symbol of New York. The surrounding streets are full of offices, tourists, and traffic, and the building's massive structure and lighting make it noticeable both day and night, drawing eyes and emphasizing its status as an urban icon.

Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge

In the Movie

Scene where wide, establishing shots are shown that place the story within the broader geography of New York, using the scale and recognizable shape of the bridge to mark transitions between neighborhoods and denote the emotional distance between the characters' desires and what they can control.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a suspension bridge that connects Brooklyn and Staten Island across the Narrows, a key element of New York's road network and a well-known part of the cityscape. Its approaches and surrounding areas offer expansive views of the harbor, showcase powerful industrial geometry, and create a distinct sense of the coastal zone, emphasizing the scale and grandeur of the structure.