The Syrian Bride
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: C+ Film: C+
The Syrian Bride (2004) is a sincere, smart
attempt to show racial and socio-political division in The Middle East as young
bride Mona (Clara Khoury) cannot return to her homeland if she leaves for Syria
to marry the man of her dreams. Being
from as sort of twilight zone area of The Golan Heights in Israel called Majdal
Shams, the situation is ugly and the film examines that much well.
However, director Eran Riklis (who co-wrote the script
with Suha Arraf) comes up with a feminist take on the situation, yet she cannot
transcend the obvious divisiveness and tale as old as Romeo & Juliet
while as current as the headlines about civil war in The Middle East. I would bet that I am missing some
subtleties, but even that cannot change the projecting arc of the
narrative. I give the makers credit and
the cast kudos for being so convincing, but they cannot exceed the situation,
much unfortunately like real people in real life over there who deal with this
nightmare every day. The conclusion is
still poignant.
The anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1 image has detail
limits and was shot on film, but this might be a PAL to NTSC conversion with
issues. Cinematographer Michael Wiesweg
does a fine job composing the scope frame to show the land and border, as well
as those subjected to its implications.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is not bad, but has few surrounds, which is
odd for a film that had a Dolby Digital theatrical release. Extras include a good commentary by Riklis
and interviewer Karen Durbin, making of program, original trailer, U.S. trailer
and interview with well-spoken co-star Hiam Abbass.
- Nicholas Sheffo
