Frantz and India

India Master, 21, is Haitian/Indian. She is a college. Her stepfather, Frantz Mayard, is Haitian and is a Baker. They live in Queens, NY. Frantz is a kind, humorous, and sweet baker who has used recipes from his mother and mother-in-law to inspire his business in America. His dedication to bringing a taste of home to his community has brought joy to those within it. India is a student at Marymount Manhattan College studying film. She will be following Frantz’s footsteps by helping with the business and is determined to continue serving the Haitian communities in NYC.

Photograph: Frantz and India

EDNA and nino

Nino Tiburzi, 23, is Filipino/Italian. He is a personal trainer and a business owner. Nino is outgoing and always ready to try new things; he loves to help people become their best selves. His mother, Edna Handel, is Filipino and is a retired accountant. They live in Long Island, NY. Edna is a warm, kind-hearted person who is excited to share her culture with the world.

Photograph: Edna and Nino

Nina and Sylvia

Sylvia Ayoub, 21, is a Syrian-American college student. Sylvia is a driven pre-med student who has recently graduated from The University of Albany; she also is extremely loyal to her family and friends and is strict when it comes to her education and future career. Her mother, Nahlah Ibrahim Dahmah, was born in Lebanon by Syrian parents, who moved back to Syria when she was 6 years old. Nahlah is a housewife and a retired teacher; she takes care her husband and children and loves to take care of anyone who enters her home. They live Queens, NY.

Photograph: Nahlah, Sylvia’s sister Mary-Ann, Sylvia, and Sylvia’s father, Ray.

Background

This documentary will be covering immigrants and their relationships with the younger generation, specifically their children and/or grandchildren that are struggling to participate in both their past culture and the American culture. Living in NYC, it is known for its diverse communities and its little pockets that can be dedicated to one culture. When people live out of their cultures space and experience the American culture, it can sometimes clash with their views of the world. It is interesting to look at cultures from around the world confront American cultures, even when American culture itself can clash. As a child of immigrant parents, living in a culture that is not their own can be challenging in terms of understanding American mannerisms, ethics, and ways of life, especially if their parent’s ties to their culture are strong. It is important to do this project now as people are proud of where they come from and are eager to understand their family’s heritage. However, living in NYC, it is easy to abandon your family’s culture and move into “American Society”. It comes from the simplest of things as eating other cultures foods or skipping dinner with the family to moving out years before their parent at their age were allowed to or even marrying based on American culture, not on their own. It is not to say that their children are rebelling against their traditions, it is their attempt to merge the two as they may consider both to be their home. This project will show the small and drastic expectation immigrants have on their children and food will be the gateway to that conversation.

Project Description and Treatment

The video will be a combine three families from three countries: Syria, Philippines, and Haiti.  These countries have many issues based on political and economic issues. These countries are not portrayed well in the media and their identity is swept away as only negativity is broadcasted to the world. This series shows their food and cultures through American immigrants; they explain what it was like in their countries, and how they have adapted to the American culture. They also explain what it is like raising children in America and their children explain what it is like to be raised by immigrants. As America is divided in its understanding of culture, this series will open up the conversation of educating the American public of cultures other than its own. I would hope that the food and the realities of the American dream will encourage the audience to look further into these countries beyond the negativity.

The series will begin with Frantz Mayard and India Master. Frantz is India’s step-father who immigrated from Haiti to NYC and India is a college student. They make a classic American Banana Bread, as a way of merging with American culture. They love their Haitian culture and fully embrace their American culture as well. Then we are introduced to Nahlah Ibrahim Dahmah, and her daughter, Sylvia Ayoub, who is a 21-year-old college graduate. Nahlah is a Syrian immigrant and has raised two daughters in Jackson Heights, NY. Nahlah talks about her immigration story as well as her struggles adapting to American cultures.  Sylvia discusses what it is like living in America with a strong opposing culture at home has affected he. The final family will introduce Nino Tiburzi is a Filipino-American who is a personal trainer who is concerned with health in both body and food.  He lives with his mother, Edna Handel, who makes traditional Filipino food. They discuss the evolution of their integrated cultures. Nino can still learn the cultural background and the proper traditions that coincide with these foods.