A Wedding in Ramallah is a 2002 Australian documentary film, created by Sherine Salama, based around an American-based Palestinian man's marriage to a traditional Palestinian young woman.[1]
| A Wedding in Ramallah | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Sherine Salama |
| Written by | Sherine Salama |
| Produced by | Sherine Salama |
| Narrated by | Sherine Salama |
| Cinematography | Sherine Salama |
| Edited by | Andrew Arestides Andrea Lang |
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Languages | English, Arabic |
Production
editA Wedding in Ramallah was filmed in Palestine and the United States of America over a period of nine months.[2]
Reception
editPaul Byrnes wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald that it "is an intriguing film - mysterious and playful, dramatic and emotional, but also careful about not abusing a trust. Salama has the ability to remain personally involved as she films. Detachment was never an honest stance for a film-maker, anyway."[3] Writing in Variety David Stratton says "It’s a sad but probably typical story, and it’s beautifully handled by director Salama, who evidently formed a close bond with her subjects, especially the women. In a film full of humor, the viewer is never allowed to forget the tragic subtext."[4] Samantha Bonar of The Los Angeles Times finishes "This look at the intimate side of Palestinian life, both in the Middle East and here, is fascinating but not pleasant. Salama’s film illuminates a culture that appears maddeningly misogynistic. Hoping for a new life after her wedding in Ramallah, this bride instead got a dead-end."[5]
Awards
edit- 2002 Australian Film Institute Awards
- Best Documentary - Sherine Salama - won[2]
- Best Direction in a Documentary - Sherine Salama - won[2]
References
edit- ^ Webb, Carolyn (20 August 2002), "Filming Ramallah's struggle for the ordinary", The Age
- ^ a b c Allenby, Guy (18 June 2003), "Guns and roses", The Sydney Morning Herald
- ^ Byrnes, Paul (12 September 2002), "A Wedding in Ramallah", The Sydney Morning Herald
- ^ Stratton, David (18 June 2002), "A Wedding in Ramallah", Variety
- ^ Bonar, Samantha (4 November 2003), "A poignant look at an arranged marriage", The Los Angeles Times