Syrian Bride

Review: The Syrian Bride
Rating: 4 out 5
Release Year: December, 2004 (Israel)
Length: 1h 37min.
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Main Cast: Dirar Suleiman (Tallal (Television Comedian)), Hiam Abbass(Amal (sister)), Makram Khoury(Hammed(dad)), Clara Khoury(Mona(bride)), Ashraf Barhom (Marwan (Brother)), Evelyn Kaplun (Evelyna(Russian)), and Julie Ann Roth (Jeanne (aid))
Director: Eran Riklis

Synopsis: This film takes place in the largest Druze village in Golan Heights, Majdal Shams, located by the Israelian-Syrian border. Mona (Clara Khoury) the "syrian bride" is recently separated from her last relationship and her family has arranged a new wedding with a Television Comedian, Tallal (Dirar Suleiman). He works in the Revolution Studios in Damascus, Syria. They have never met eachother because of the situation between Israel and Syria. Tallal has only seen Mona through a photo and Mona watches his shows on television. Mona is nervous about this decision because once she crosses to the other side she will be forced to give up her undefined nationality. Therefore, she will not be able to ever come back to her home-town. Mona's brother, Marwan (Ashraf Barhom), is a entrepenuer that lives in Italy, wolf trader to be specific. Mona's older brother Hattem (Eyad Sheety) married Evelyna, a russian women. Because of this he had to leave Majdal Sham by his father and the religious leaders. This is because Hammed, Mona's Father, is an activistpro-Syria. Lastly, Mona's older sister, Amal (Hiam Abbass), is a married women with two girls. She has always dreamed of attending the University but has not had the chance because of her husbands beliefs. Nonetheless all her siblings gathered to be part of this special day. The insane bureaucracy is the biggest obstacle that Mona has to face on her wedding day.

Review: It started off slow then picked up towards the middle. When the father didn't acknowledge his older son even though he didn't see him for eight years. Then towards the end when they were having complications with the passport. It was all full of suspense towards the end because I thought for a second Mona was not going to be able to get to the other side. Well, technically she wasn't approved and she made the risky decision of crossing regardless. This was a moment where as a viewer I was shook because it was the first time throughout the film she made a decision on her own. Furthermore,  her dad at the end of the film finally accepted his older son and his family. I am not going to lie, I cried. This was a moment that touched my heart. Coming from a very traditional family as well, I've also had problems with my family when I choose to date someone with a different culture of even ethnicity. So, when his father finally accepted him regardless of his beliefs it just made me think of my position as-well. Then, Amal at the end finally sticks up to her abusive husband and decides to continue her lifetime dream, to go to the university. I was so enthusiastic at this point because I know how it feels to be limited to certain things in life because of what is known as, "machismo". Machismo is when a man thinks he's superior and doesn't care for hearing a women's thoughts. This happens a lot and throughout history its been worse. So, when Amal finally stood her ground I got very excited. This was a very short film but every character had an important part and I learned a loty from each.

On Rotten Tomatoes the tomatometer was a rocking 88% (41 reviews counted) and 80% of rating enjoyed watching this film. The ratings are very high and I definetly would make part of this percentage because like I've mentioned I enjoyed watching this film. It was really heart-warming and just a beautiful film in itself. Although Mona did not speak much, her silence and gestures spoke for her. Her acting was incredible and I don't think I would change anything of it.