The Syrian Bride

Being a movie fan is a tough job. Which movie to go for which not, is a difficult question. Method of elimination comes handy, but its expensive. Then there is availability. Not many theatres have to guts to show independent movies. Luckily I found this one. This is an old style theatre where you have to stand outside in freezing cold till very minutes before the show commences. They have very few seats too. But the end result was well rewarding.

I find independent movies, generally shot at actual locations, without studios and animations more captivating than King Kongs and Starwars. I like those too. The Syrian bride is set in Golan Heights, which is claimed by both Israel and Syria. As the name suggests movie is about a wedding. The bride is marrying a TV star in Syria. Since Golan heights is controlled by Israel, the bride will have to cross the border and none of her family members can. Imagery is fantastic. Golan Heights is certainly a very beautiful place.

Beauty of the direction is that, it never stops telling the story, though not always with words. Political loyalties (willing/unwilling), social obligations, unfair influences exerted by village elders, helplessness of UN, insensitive beaurocracy, struggle of fair sex, its all there but told subtly, very subtly. The movie remains like an observer, never taking sides or passing judgments. It manages to be funny at times.

There is a bit of drama towards the end (1-2 minutes where son saves the father), but I can live with it. I recommend it hugely.

images courtsey of:
1. http://www.syrianbride.com/english.html
2. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4511808

My friend the fanatic

"New York City is amazing" I have heard this quote from R more than one time, sometimes more than one time on same day. I am more than amazed, why and how?
I am a rather unsophisticated, un-urbane, unimpressed by grandeur of towering concrete structures person. My lack of appreciation for beauty for the Capital of the World may be attributed to underdeveloped urban aesthetic senses, but I personally refuse that accusation.
R raves so much about, city's diverse community. For all the cosmopolitanism, R doesn't have a single Black, Latin or Chinese friend. In fact he is rather afraid of going to localities which are pre-dominantly non-white. I agree with R that city has some million ethnic eateries. But R will agree with me more that he has been to very few, that too around village area where he lives.
R has been to only one Broadway show, signature of the city. And we both know that show was not the motivation. It was rather the free flowing booze which preceded the show. There are some theatres show independent movies. R did not know that they exist, till very recently.
I think for these and many other reasons, R's needs could be more than supplied in any city in midwest, but R disagrees. Why? I will never understand. We both agree on that. I guess no one can argue faith.