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 bySherine Salama
Written bySherine Salama
Produced bySherine Salama
Narrated bySherine Salama
CinematographySherine Salama
Edited byAndrew Arestides
Andrea Lang
Running time
90 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguagesEnglish, Arabic

Production

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A Wedding in Ramallah was filmed in Palestine and the United States of America over a period of nine months.[2]

Reception

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Paul 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

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References

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  1. ^ Webb, Carolyn (20 August 2002), "Filming Ramallah's struggle for the ordinary", The Age
  2. ^ a b c Allenby, Guy (18 June 2003), "Guns and roses", The Sydney Morning Herald
  3. ^ Byrnes, Paul (12 September 2002), "A Wedding in Ramallah", The Sydney Morning Herald
  4. ^ Stratton, David (18 June 2002), "A Wedding in Ramallah", Variety
  5. ^ Bonar, Samantha (4 November 2003), "A poignant look at an arranged marriage", The Los Angeles Times
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