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Tell us what you think.
Selected submissions will be posted here, so check back regularly.
Curious how the newlyweds are doing? See the update on Bassam and Mariam.
11/10/03
cleveland, ohio
I live in Cleveland and have a new appreciate for the different cultures that live here. Seeing the story of Bassam and Mariam really shed light on what /where others come from and what influences their day to day activities in Cleveland. I am thankful to have had the privelege to watch this program and have recommended others I know watch it.
11/10/03
Carlos
New York NY
I think this documentary was a very good snapshot of the palestinian situation, seen from the inside. It shows the world that palestinians are good and normal human beings that happen to be cought up in a very desperate situation.
Thank you Independent Lens for bringing this great work to PBS and american livingrooms.
11/10/03
Carol
My eyes were glued to the screen after I stumbled upon the documentary last night. After hearing and seeing on our American news only the violence in and around Palestine, one loses sight of the fact that very real, humble, non-violent people still live there trying to deal with their own relational issues that are also common to us as Americans or any other nationality. I experienced sympathy and even empathy at times for each of the wives in the film. I now have a new sympathy for Palestinians but as a woman, I am saddened by the lack of relational freedoms the wives seem to have with their husbands due to their culture. I wish you would provide us with an update of the poor wife and her young daughter left behind in Ramallah. Also, I am thrilled that Bassam and Mariam are doing well and have their own shop. I would love to know the name of it so as to look them up and congratulate them the next time we're in Cleveland.
11/10/03
Francisco Cubelo
Groveville, NJ
Hello,
Why not provide a contact such as an e-mail of Bassam and Mariam? Without a contact their seems to be a void.
In any case I've listened to many years of negative media on the Palistinians and Muslims in general. I must say that I too was distant and perhaps biased in my thoughts against them.
This film has brought my back to reality. I was quickly overwhelmed with compassion of this family and realized the need for me love them as well.
Francisco Cubelo
11/10/03
Lisa Schuler
Dayton, Ohio
For a short time, I became friends with a wife and daughter from Saudi Arabia. I met them at college when there was a request for a volunteer to spend time with them and help them practice English by having simple conversations with them.
The entire family was in the U.S. and the father was working in the U.S. as part of the Saudi Arabia military.
The mother and father were an arranged marriage and I know she was fifteen years old. When I met her, she was 35, expecting her fifth child and not happy about it. I spent some time at their home and noticed how they all seemed so distant from each other emotionally. The older children seemed more Muslim than the younger children who were more Westernized thanks, in part, to THE SIMPSONS. Everyone spoke English on different levels except the mother. She was not interested in learning English.
Most interesting was the fact that the daughter I was friends with liked learning English, doing "American" things and wanted to learn how to drive (which women may not do in Saudi Arabia.) But when it came to getting married, she planned to return to Saudi Arabia for an arranged marriage (at this time, there was no prospective groom.)
As for the expected baby, once he arrived the Mom was happy!
To see Miriam and Bassam's story reminded me of Tahani and Jamelah. Two people in the same family, and both female, yet one seemed so trapped by years of tradition and living in her homeland and the other seemed so free~~ because she wasn't.
11/10/03
Mike Cone
Waterford, Michigan
I'm currently on a business trip with a few hours to spare. So while channel surfing, I discovered your wonderful documentary. It was riveting - I couldn't switch channels. And now, a few minutes later, I'm sending you this note.
First, I found myself thinking "how are Western women watching this going to interpret the treatment of Miriam by Bassam?" One of the things I've learned through the few world travels that I've done is that it is very easy to incorrectly interpret what we see happening through the lens of our own culture. Does Bassam care for, love, and even respect Miriam? Some Westerners will say that he does not. But my suspicion is that he does care --and very deeply. His affection is displayed in a much different way than the "modern" Western culture expects.
Yes I know Bassam is not perfect. But are any of us? Let's look at the positive side for a moment. He did everything in his power to get his companion over to America -- including risk his life. (Visiting his homelan
d is a risk to one's life.) He worked two jobs a day for years. He never quit. He was careful to protect her ("don't open the door for anyone"). He has earned the ownership of a grocery store. Miriam was alone at the apartment cut off from society. Now Bassam takes Miriam to work with him. She is learning English. I get the feeling that this couple is in it together - as a team - for the long haul. I sense that that Bassam, in his own way, according to his culture, is showing more love to Miriam than a lot of American couples show to each other!
As a Christian man, I'm commanded by God to "love your neighbor" and even "your enemy". Those are tall orders for any human. It is my understanding that we are naturally adept at hating especially things that are foreign to us. However, this is a command that God has really impressed upon my heart lately. This was my chance to at least try to understand a different culture and thus enable me to love these noble immigrants better.
Take care -- and
please do more films like this when you can!
11/10/03
Max Menon
Columbia, SC
My wife and I sat through the entire documentary. It was indeed very moving. My wife and I are from India and we had an arranged marriage eight years ago. Some nights I have to massage her feet. Ok, so she does a lot of walking during the day. Big deal ! :)
Tomorrow, I will try to have her get me my slippers when I come back from work. I hoping she does not ask me to get us a pet dog to do that chore instead.
On a more serious note, we both were horribly moved by Sinora's plight. From reading other posts, we are not alone in trying to find out more about Sinora. Does Sinora get to hear what we have to say ? Please tell us more.
I could care less about the Arab men. A glaring example of how evil politics can distort ones view. The guy was singing praises to Abu Nidal. Not surprising, most Americans are blissfully unaware of who Abu Nidal is. Maybe the sympathy meter would swing the other way if Americans knew. (try google).
Sinora, Sinora, Sinora ... giggling in that red dress like any teenager in
a free world .. but yet trapped in that god-forsaken land .. makes us weep. Like elsewhere, its the women who pay the ultimate price of such conflict.
The well-made documentary .. made us open ourselves and look inside. Now help us close that wound .. tell us about Sinora.
Max
11/10/03
GDJ
State College, PA
Thank you all for sharing you thoughts, experiences and opinions. This forum has nearly been as enlightening as the film itself.
Hats off to PBS for this companion website. What a great opportunity to continue the dialogue beyond the (unfortunatley) too fleeting experince of viewing the film.
I hope this web dialog serves as a launching/starting point for us to actively expand our understanding of both the Palestinians and the Jewish Israelis (there are many Arab Israelis-hence the [albeit negative]references to the "Jews" specifically).
May this web dialog not serve simply as our parting shots, after which we go back to our lives as usual.
Thank you all again for both the film and this enriching post-film discussion.
-GDJ
11/10/03
Andriana
El Paso, TX
This documentary was so enthralling from beginning to end. It left me wanting to learn more about Basaam and Mariam's experience.
It was so interesting to see how another culture celebrates and prepares for marriage. I think some of this culture has trickled into ours. With reality shows the men have only weeks to get to know their future mates and fall in love. I do think a form of arranged marriages can be successful in a Western culture, but not in its' purest form.
As far as I'm concerned Basaam could have better prepared Mariam for what life would be like in America and told her how long he would be gone during the day. Perhaps he could have arranged for someone to teach her English during the day while he was at work, it might not have been as difficult a transition.
Something I noticed was the lack of respect for women in their culture. Basaam, however did treat his wife better than his brother. He brought her home as soon as possible, unlike his brother who has left his wife and daughter in Ramallah in a very selfish move. I feel that a marriage where a husband and wife are separated is not a marriage. The two keys to a lasting marriage are love and mutual respect and these marriages have begun with neither. It is no wonder that the two brothers' first marriages did not last.
11/10/03
Z.Z.
Ft.Lauderdale, FL
Hey, I saw The show A Wedding In Ramallah Last night, I also recorded it so I can show it to a couple of my friends because they missed it, this show brought alot of memories to me back when I was in Palestine, there were some sad parts in the show, but I think it was a good show.
11/10/03
Boston, MA
How amazing was this documentary. As a muslim wife being born in the USA and marrying my moroccan husband - all I have to say is-Miriam, Allah will protect you and hang in there. I know it's rough at times but Inshallah, you will do just fine.
A sister to another.
11/10/03
Julia
Los Angeles, California
I watched this film with interest and dismay. This film about an arranged Palestinian marriage took every opportunity to bash Israelies and Jews and to distort the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The story of the arranged marriage was interesting. There is nothing warm and fuzy about this union. Bride wants a green card and groom wants a servant.
While I found the film interesting with respect to the arranged marriage and the relationship of the bride, groom and their respective families, I found it offensive, anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic.
The film attributes all miseries in Palestinian life, to the "Jews" without placing the responsibility for the same on the Palestinian leadership and the other world leaders, where it belongs. Basam even blames his infertilifty ("dead sperm") on the Israelies, as if his conclusion was supported by medical facts. The only Israeli shown in the film (a Cleveland shop owner with a broken pay phone) is portrayed as a nasty caricature. Further, the film creates a false impression that Palestinians are living under daily unprovoked fire of the Israelies. In reality, Israeli fire is in response and in defense to the fire, granades, rockets, suiside bombings and other terrorist acts committed by the unchecked and numerous terrorist factions flourishing in the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority.
The Palestinians have had numerous opportunities to imrove their lives, to have their own state and to live in peace with Israel. However, such opportunities were rejected by their leaders who would rather keep their people in abject misery than to recongnize the right of Israel to exist.
11/7/03
austin, tx
what a great documentary. i felt so sorry for those women though. i felt they were treated badly all around. i especially felt sorry for sinora. she is so bubbly and full of life. and when she wore that red dress and got all made up for her husband....she was gorgeous. and then the husband showed up and treated her like she was lucky to be in his presence. the truth is....HE was lucky to have HER. maybe one day they'll learn to love their women
11/7/03
Darla
Awesome! This film really touched me. I felt it brought life to another culture that I unfortunately know nothing about. However, I think all cultures & societies are disconnected from one another - American's get a lot of blame for this, but we're not alone!
I enjoyed watching Mariam's American experience & things we take for granted. I felt sorry for her that Bassam didn't take time to explain these things. Also, I was saddended that after all the anticipation of arriving to the US, they seemed to just sit around with nothing to say. She began acting depressed. I would be too if I was stuck in my house with a language barrier! Mariam really needed to get out of the house & meet people. I hope she has finally done that & made friends.
Lastly, what is up with the landlord?! To kick them out after 9/11 was such an ignorant move. I hope they have found some wonderful people in Cleveland to counter that act.
11/7/03
Daniel Carpio
Miami, Florida
Thanks to the filmmaker for a rarely seen glimpse into the culture of Palestine. The film is a superb work of art along with the talkback section. I have been enlightened by Bassam and Mariam's plight, but also by the varied viewpoints of the Internet posters. I have read them all from the ones that praise the documentary for its powerful portrayal of Muslim culture and social norms to the ones that insist it is a tool of annti-semetism. I, for one, do not think the filmmaker was going so far as to villify the Israelis as much as simply illustrate the feelings of a typical group of Palestinians forced to live through the by-product of religious and political ravages brought on by more interested parties. I hope our couple will realize their dreams of a fruitful marriage and find success.
11/7/03
Adlai
Saratoga, California
This was an outstanding film. It captured the unvarnished truth about the people that were portrayed, their culture, and the way that the Palestinians are treated by the Israeli military and government. A good starting point for anyone interested in learning more about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Arab culture.
11/7/03
Patrick L.
Iowa
WOW. What an incredible show that was.Through the entire program I found myself saying,over and over again, "they're just like us"! They are just like me. They have the same hopes and dreams. Thank you so much for putting on such a personalized face of the Palestinian people for me. I will never think of those people the same from this night forward. What a beautiful people they are! In every way.
I hope there will be another program when Sinora comes to America. I wish I could just pull her over here!
What a great documentary! I learned SO MUCH. Thank You!! Patrick
11/7/03
glenn rivers
springfield,mass
WOW! is all i can say. Sherine Salama i cant wait to see what you will do next,this film was probably the greatest thing i have ever seen on PBS.you managed to leave out the politics and did not try to shape people's opinions on tough political issues.you just presented a story of these wonderful everyday people and there problems.i was heart broken when you showed that there landlord evicted them after 911,that was so wrong!you showed that we are just people trying to survive in this world together.i will pray for Bassam and Mariam i hope they will be happy.thankyou again Sherine for a moving experience,it changed my view of the world somewhat im going to try to put politics aside more in my life and im going to concetrate more on helping everyday people.i think we are all the same and want the same things in life no matter where we are in the world.
11/7/03
Lake Dallas, Texas
Having been close to an Eastern Muslim culture for years, I have learned a bit about arranged marriages. I believe they can work in a western society if the participants are mature and have a very clear and honest sharing of goals and expectations. Marriage is a partnership whether it begins with "romantic love" or arrangement by other criteria, and as such, is the product of negotiation and mutual agreement. The advantage to having an arranged marriage when you are from a culture where this is common is that you will find societal support and understanding. I think that element will be missing in the west, but a commited couple can still succeed in this form of marriage if they are mature, I feel.
I think Bassam and Miriam handled the immigration process just fine. The process is exhausting and there is no hurrying it up. It is what it is. My wish would be that Miriam had access to a computer at home and she could have communicated some with her husband after the wedding, but he was working two jobs in preparation for her arrival, so that might have been impractical. While it is hard for us to imagine the separation for months, it is a reality for people who bring their families over here, so again, there was cultural support for Miriam's delayed departure. It is harder for us in the west to imagine than foreign to the culture of the east.
I loved this documentary. I believe it's presentation transcends day to day politics and enlightens one culture of the workings of another. It demystifies arranged marriages and illustrates well that marriage, in whatever form, is a partnership. I am told by my friends who are in arranged marriages that love grows in time the same as it does for westerners. It just happens after the marriage. I am happy to hear of Bassam's new store and that he and his wife work together in it. This is my idea of a great partnership. I'm very happy for them and hope that the day comes that they may, if they still wish it, return to a safe and thriving Palestine. I appreciate your sharing their story with us.
11/7/03
trina L.
cold lake, alberta, canad
I loved watching this film. I was tv surfing and came across it. I was instantly glued to the television. I would love to hear more about Miriam and Bussam. This was a great learning experience for me. Please bring us more films similar to this one. Also, another film about Miriam and Bussam like an update.
Yours Truly, Trina L.
11/6/03
Woolwich, Maine
I want to thank the filmmaker and PBS for presenting a real picture of Palestinian life -- it's the only glimpse of that life that I have ever seen, and I bet that goes for most PBS viewers. The Palestinians we hear referred to daily bear little resemblance to the people in this film. I feel privileged to have been able to watch it. ... As to what the couple could have done to prepare for Miriam's arrival: are there no Arab communities in that area? Are there no outreach workers in that city to help immigrants learn English?
11/6/03
Aveda
Phoenix,AZ
I loved your piece on Bassam and his wife...i nearly caught myself crying just to see how the Palestinian women lived and then Bassams wife getting to American...I could not blame her for being so bored...and when she even got the vacuum to work I was like,"Yes!", she was sooo cute and I hope all works out for them...it is also unfortunate that the lanlords had to rid of them after the events of Sept. 11th...
11/6/03
Karen
Pittsburgh Pa
I really enjoyed the film. I am very interested in middle eastern cultures and the different countries. It is not very often that you find something on television about such things. I was very pleased when I read it was coming on. You did a really great job on this film. I would love to see more programs like this. I would like to see more about Mariam and Bassam. Good work, Take Care
11/6/03
Brad Lucht
Kansas City MO
Thank you for the gift of this film. I only wish it were mandatory viewing for an uninformed American public.
I consider myself quite fortunate to meet my first Palestinian in undergrad school. He was at least 15 years older than me, and was a co-worker in food service. He was also a member of the PLO. I can't tell you how much I learned from him about the middle east. Even today the media simply refuse to report anything that contradicts the official party line of Israeli martyrdom.
My local PBS station would not air this documentary; they tend to show programs that glorify U.S. wars and the military instead. I found Independent Lens on the national PBS feed on my digital cable.
11/6/03
Philadelphia
Wow! What an excellent film! I was channel surfing last night and stumbled upon the documentary and immediatly became glued to my television. I thought the film was well shot....and it made me appreciate the little things in life I take for granted.
11/6/03
Margaret
Los Angeles, CA
This was an amazing story and one that totally had my full attention. It offered so much insight into the Palestinian culture. For the first time I saw these people as being real; with fears, anxiety, joy, and unity. I have great admiration for Bassam and also for Mariam. She is a very courageous young woman for leaving her family and everything that was familiar to her to come and live in a strange place, and Bassam is a MAN in every sense of the word. He kept his word and work hard to get his wife here and also he is loyal to his family. I think that arrange marriages like every other marriage could work if both individuals work hard at it. A Wedding in Ramallah definetly fulfill the goal that was intended. The people portrayed in this film was very real. It was as if I was right there in the room with them. I felt their happiness, pain, hurt, loneliness and fear. Well done! Sherine Salama.
11/6/03
Carson, California
Congratulations! It's a really great film. Too bad I only saw half of it,I would haved really loved to see it from the begining but what I saw really caught my attention and I just did not wanted to miss anything. I really hope that we can see again SOON or to see another one like it.
11/6/03
Stanley Hillelsohn
Brooklyn
I found the human element to be fascinating I could not help but be offended that the filmmaker made no effort to portray the other side as anything other than "the Jews".
According to her Bio the filmmakers backround is in news reporting - so there is no doubt that her intention was not to simply portray the "Wedding in Ramallah" but something more sinister - to demonize the Israelis (the Jews). How sad since one can not help but feel sorry for the plight of women in Palestinian society - no wonder they have such a love/hate relationship with America - our way of life represent a real threat to the Arab mens total dominance over their women.
11/6/03
Kimberly
Minnesota
I was visiting with my parents and my dad was watching your program and it quickly drew me in. Soon my sister and mom joined us as well. We all watched together and we all agreed that it was very eye-opening and enlightening. It was time well spent.
We had a long discussion about the program, Palestinian life vs. our own, and about what we see on the news about the occupation vs. what we saw in the show. Sherine Salama has gone above and beyond her goal. ("to make a film about a Palestinian family that is informed by, but transcends, day-to-day politics.") Best wishes to Bassam and Mariam, and also I hope that Sinora can also come to the US to be with her husband, if she still wants to. I would like to see more programs like this and also I would like to see an interview update with Mariam and Bassam.
11/6/03
Mahrukh
Philadelphia, PA
I could not take my eyes off the screen! I was planning on going to sleep but as I chanced upon this program I was enthralled by the characters and the story!
My background helped me understand Mariam and Bassam's feelings where some may think them backwards. I think if you feel pity for Mariam and look down on her and Bassam's Palestinian traits then you missed the point of the film.
Excellent work Ms. Salama!
11/6/03
Charlottesville VA
Outstanding program! I am a big fan of independent films and documentaries, and pbs has some of the best. Like so many others who have written above, last nights broadcast lured me away from a good night's sleep. It was well worth it.
I would like some of my family to watch this film, especially my mother, who favors total occupation by Israel based solely on her evangelical Christian faith. I think she would do well to see the humanity displayed by "A Wedding in Ramallah."
Oh and to Emmy F. of Arizona. Hitler was quite a religious man or at least his message was. A bit of research on the web will reveal as much.
11/6/03
sharon turner
peytona, wv
i watched this last night and i thought the way he treated her he only wanted a slave, someone to have tea ready and cook and clean. i thought he treated her awful. how can you not see your wife for what over six months and then just greet her like she was your mother or sister. i think he felt more affection for his mother than he did his wife. and when she came here, you know she was scared half to deatch, and he couldn't even tell her about the smoke alarm or the vaccum cleaner. he is just for himself, he is gone all day and she is in the apartment, why in the evening would he want to take her anywhere, he is tired of course, see what i am saying he is just for himself. he does not derserve a wife. custom or not he treated her imhumane.
11/6/03
Thanks PBS and Sherine Salama for this film which protries an acurate account of a daily life for a Palastenian family....and I hope to see more like this film in the future.
I wish Bassam & Mariam, Mussa & Sanura the best and fruitful life. Hopping Sanura gets her Visa and join her hasband...
I really loved the improvished songs of Bassam and his Barber "Abu Nidal",which is a form of Palastanian peotary and songs.
11/6/03
Shekinah
Eugene, OR
I'm a 3rd generation American Jew, raised in a fairly liberal family. Even so, I am constantly aware of being "other" in this very visibly Christian country. I believe in the right & necessity of the state of Isreal to exist, but I disagree strongly w/ the current Isreali goverment's policies & actions towards the Palestinians. I often have felt more in common w/ friends & aquaintances of Arabic descent, than w/ American Christians.
My great-grandmother was left in Poland w/ three young children to endure the terror of the progroms, when my great-grandfather neglected his promise to send for them. Relatives chipped in & booked their passage to New York. When she arrived, she was able to quickly locate him, & chased the redhead he was shacked up w/ away w/ a broomstick! They went on to create 3 more children, & my ancestor became a woman of distinctive service to her community. Hundreds attended her funeral. My heart went out to the Palestinian women left behind w/ their husbands's families.
What a waste of lively, intelligent young people. These women still manage to show some spirit, & take what pleasures they can in their constricted lives. Hearing them mouth the platitude that "a woman's life is worth nothing w/o her husband,"got my blood boiling. When oppression is religiously or racially based, &/or applies to men, it is considered to be a great wrong, but when it applies to women, it's so often still considered a legitimate & justifiable part of a culture. And these older men were considered pretty good catches! I don't believe arranged marriages are inherently bad, but the continuing belief that women have little worth aside from their value to men, & the lack of lifestyle choices available to the vast majority of women is a tragedy. The filmaker made her points w/ elegance & grace, letting events flow, & personalties shine through naturally. I was fascinated by the stories of these families. Mariam's spunk & humor was delightful. I was glad to read in the update that she & Bassam have a store, & she is learning English. (Mohammad's wife was reputed to be a fine businesswoman!) Why didn't he encourage her to learn English before coming to live in the U.S.? Was he hoping to increase her dependence, & limit her mobility further? He doesn't seem a bad man, just one made pompous w/ male privlege, & in time, I hope he's able to bend a little. Maybe he'll hand her the remote once in awhile. I also hope, as the years go by, that they find happiness & success, & that Mariam finds a good community of female friends.
Both Jews & Palestinians have legitimate & ancient claims to the land. Extremists on both sides are breeding hatred & fear, making peaceful solutions impossible. I was dismayed to hear Bassam's frequent remarks about "the Jewish army", ect. It is easy to place all blame on one side, but it's not that simple. I believe the Isrealis soldiers had a right to question his activities, but they had no right to beat him senseless. The bottom line, is that everyone wants a chance to create safe, prosperous lives for themselves & their families. My Jewish friends living in Isreal are also afraid for their lives, but committed to negotiation & peace. Our tribes have much in common, making the ongoing violence all the more heartbreaking. Thank you for a lovely film, & I hope one day to see a film on PBS that shows the humanity of an Isreali family living w/ war.
11/6/03
Amal
Whitehouse, New Jersey
I think it is a crime to bring a person in to a totally different culture with out informing that person anything about what to be expected. I think that Bassam misled his wife. He should have explained what life is in America and how different it is from Mariam's life. I think that Mariam in naive and all she wanted was a husband and the rest comes later. Mariam is very brave women. I did not see her crying or begging to go back to her family. She accepted her reality and lived it at it is. I wonder if they have a baby!
11/6/03
Carmen
Wheatley Heights, NY
Mariam's arrival could have been much smoother if Basam had explain things. I guess after being here 10 years, and the exhaustion from working two jobs, he probably wasn't thinking of it. Watching Miriam dealing with the smoke detector made me realize we do take things for granted. Thank you for showing us life in a Palestian village. Both Miriam and Basam are very likeable and I am sure their marriage will work out. Good job!
11/6/03
Dena Zakaria
Philadelphia, PA
Congratulations to PBS for this haunting documentary. It was a distant echo of my own parents immigrant experience. Also, for perhaps the first time I can remember, Arabs were portrayed as simple citizens, trying to love, live, and exist in countries that do not seem to want them. It was also shocking to see how the violence is taking over every aspect of Palestinian life...I was truly astounded what these people have to endure.
This was an amazing movie, please continue to run movies that show Arabs in a human light, rather than the demonization they endure in the mainstream media.
11/6/03
Patrick
Camarillo, CA
You HAVE to air this again. I couldn't stop talking about it at work and with my wife who didn't get to see it.
As an American, the concept of a pre-arranged marriage is a complete enigma to me and it was so interesting to see this perspective.
A note to Bassam: Kiss your wife when you get home, buy a bigger couch and cuddle with her on it. Also, cut out the WWF Wrestling show...ha ha
11/6/03
Honolulu, HI
Watching this film was a very moving and often disturbing experience for me. I had little compassion for Bassam. I had nothing but compassion for Mariam and her sister-in-law. Mariam's arrival in Cleveland and her first few days as a prisoner in Bassam's apartment were heart rending. In fact I couldn't get her out of my mind for most of the next day after the film was aired. Bassam's actions - not calling her all day, coming home at 10:00 PM and ordering her to bring his slippers; not saying anything about the meal or the apartment being cleaned, etc. -showed a total lack of consideration and caring for his new wife in a strange land. And I agree with another commenter, it was disturing to me that the filmmaker would not help Mariam with the smoke alarm when it was obvious she very distressed by it.
All in all I thought this film was a very revealing and unflattering depiction of Palistinian patriarchy.
I hope Mariam is adjusting to life in the US and will make the effort to learn English and make friends here. I'm sure once she learns the language and her sense of humor and engaging personality can come through, she will make many new friends. I wish her all the best.
11/6/03
What a wonderful film! Finally, something is aired that exposes the truth about the oppression of the Palestinians. "If only America knew"...looks like we're on our way!!
I've traveled to the region and saw first hand how Palestinians are being victimized each and every day(prevented from working, going to school, anything we Americans consider "normal everyday" activity). I was completely shocked. I learned that their culture is as beautiful as their people are. Let's pray for peace in the region.
11/6/03
Mervatte Zait
Lawndale. California
First of all I would like to thank you for a film will done, I was changing channels late night when I spotted the program, I was very happy to see something in Arabic language and translated in English. Something shows the real life and the real situation that people are forced to live. Watching the movie brought tears to my eyes, memory left behind but never forgotten. My roots are from Palestine and I wish to go their one day.
I wish to see more stories from the loved home land.
Loved your program, please keep up with the good work
11/6/03
I loved it. My heart went out to Mariam and Sinora. Waiting for ther Men to come back home for them.I was happy to see Mariam go off to be with Bassam but very sad to see Sinora left behind.I hope Ms. Salana does an update on Sinora to see how her life is.Getting back to Mariam. I think that Bassam should have taken a few days to show Mariam the area that he lived in. How to do things. I wish them good luck.Mariam will good for Bassam. She seemed like a very strong person. Able to take care of herself.
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