Caroline Errington

A young pickpocket in the New York subways – living a fast, free lifestyle – is confronted by a woman who he had a one night affair with. She informs him that she is pregnant with his child. He must now choose between continuing with his lifestyle and taking responsibility for his actions.

In impoverished Baghdad under Saddam's dictatorship, 16-year-old Amal hopes to regain her social status at school by volunteering to find a book as a class gift for the departing literature teacher. Meanwhile, her emotionally fragile little brother becomes obsessed with the notion that a visiting uncle from America--whom he confuses with Santa Claus--will bring him toys. Ashamed never to have been able to give his son a toy, the child's father sells some more prized family possessions and buys a model car for him.