The Syrian Bride
THE SYRIAN BRIDE
Dir. Eran Riklis (97min, Israel/France/Germany, 2004)
In Hebrew, Arabic, Russian and French with English Subtitles
Leading Israeli director Eran Riklis (Lemon Tree, The Human Resources Manager) in person
Winner of numerous international awards, from Best Film at the Montreal Film Festival to Public Choice Award in Locarno, The Syrian Bride is one of Israel’s highest quality feature films in recent years. Young bride Mona (Clara Khoury) knows that once she crosses the border between Israel and Syria to marry Tallel (Derar Sliman), a Syrian soap star, she won’t be able to return to her home and her family in Majdal Shams, a Druze village in Golan Heights. But when she gets to the border and looks set to begin a new life, some surprises await her. Family tensions, political divisions and an array of cultures are interwoven as the wedding day reaches its peak. Superbly photographed and acted, this powerful drama is about physical, mental and emotional borders and the will to cross them.