The Wedding Song (TUNISIAN) DVD
(Le Chant des Mariees)
DVD Review by Kam Williams
Headline: DVD Features Muslim-Jew Female Friendship during WWII
16 year-olds Nour (Olympe Borval) and Myriam (Lizzie Brochere), best friends since childhood, grew up in adjoining apartments overlooking the same courtyard in
Both have begun developing an interest in boys, but while Myriam was free to attend school and to explore her budding sexual urges, Nour finds herself housebound and resenting the restrictions being placed upon her by her orthodox culture. Plus, her parents have already arranged for her to marry her cousin, Khaled (Najib Oudghiri), even though he’s unemployed.
Then, in November, the Nazis invade
Such a complicated scenario provides the setting for The Wedding Song, a character-driven drama directed by Karin Albou. What makes this tale of female empowerment so fascinating is that the story unfolds against the backdrop of the daily tension of World War II combat. So, we see Nour and Myriam struggling with typical coming-of-age issues, one minute, dodging bombs or the roundup of Jews, the next.
Thus, Nour’s narcissistic complaint “Why do I have to wear a veil, while you don’t?” sounds like the superficial whine of a vain, spoiled teen, when you consider that Myriam has no idea whether she might be dragged off to a death camp at any moment. Curiously, Nour still somehow emerges as empathetic as the German occupation gradually subsumes
Love in the time of Hitler!
Excellent (4 stars)
Unrated
In French and Arabic with subtitles.
Running time: 100 minutes
Studio:
DVD Extras: Theatrical trailer and
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