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This comment area is closed to new submissions. Visit ITVS.org to continue the conversation about this film.
Curious how the newlyweds are doing? See the update on Bassam and Mariam.
11/5/03
Columbus, Ohio
I enjoyed the presentation very much and would like to explain why. My father is from Lebanon; no, not from Palestine but I can tell you I do understand many things others would not as a result of my background. First, I have seen some write that Basaam should have been more affectionate at the airport, he should have shown her the sights, he should not treat her as a pet stuck in the home all day long. He knew that he wanted to marry; he worked hard and found a woman who also wished to marry. He continuued to work two jobs and save so that they can live the American dream. He brought her here with the intention of taking care of her-food, clothing , shelter-a place to live without the fear of bullets flying inside of your home. Some indicate he did not show affection; particularly at the airport. It is not respectable to be overly affectionate in public, even if the woman is your wife...affection is saved for the privacy of your bedroom, period. He did show he cared for her by asking if he should bring ice cream when she pretended to be sick because the tv was not turning on. In this day and age where women are running about literally after giving birth isn't it nice to see a woman take care of her husband? This woman can have children and not worry about finding someone else to care for her children-she can be the mother and the wife! This was a respectable partnership. This was not an "arranged marriage." They each had a choice..the fact that they knew one another for a short time is irrelevant as their morals are in line for one another and they mutually respect one another.
11/5/03
Donald Luke
Bradenton, Florida
I just happened to be up at 1:30 A.M. when our local PBS station aired "A Wedding in Ramallah". I found the film to be so enlightening in its portrayal of what Palestinians are forced to endure. I found the contrast between social life in Ramallah and social life in the states to be profound. I was so happy to hear Mariam was now out working with Bassam and not confined to an apartment all day.
The wedding itself was an education. I guess an arranged marriage has as much chance of success as a typical western wedding.
An outstanding film. Congratulations to Sherine Salama. Australia should be very proud of having produced this film.
Don Luke
11/5/03
Jennifer
Wichita KS
I enjoyed this film and would like to see more like it. I was astonished to see the hardships Palestinian people endure in Ramallah. When watching news coverage of events you tend to overlook the human side of the issue. It is easy to forget people are living there and trying to have a good life just as we are.
I also feel films such as this help unite us and give us a better understanding of others. Even though we have cultural differences we also have many things in common.
I wish the best for Bassam and Miriam and hope they can return to a better and more peaceful Ramallah someday.
11/5/03
Austin, TX
I am grateful for the chance to see this documentary. I couldn't take my eyes off this film for a minute. I truly appreciate being able to see occupation and its haunting effects on life. To see those boys playing tauntingly behind that trash can as soldiers aim guns at them. To see young boys hiding between walls or see soldiers shooting at people with rocks in their hands. It's a crime you don't see on the 6:00 news and for that I thank you.
11/5/03
Blanca Corea
Hawthorne, California
Congratulations! This is an excellent piece because it noy only addresses the dilemmas of marriage, but what is involved when these two people are coming from so much oppression and occupation. I was in Palestine about 3 years ago and had the opportunity to learn first-hand what life is like under occupation. What I found amazing is to see Palestinians with so much sense of their humanity. They were wonderful hostess to me and my group and absolutely lovely people who deserve to live in peace. Thank you for showing people in the U.S. the difficulties of life in the occupied territories.
11/5/03
Karin
Salt Lake city, UT
Despite having Palestinian friends here in Salt Lake City, It occured to me while watchin A Wedding in Ramallah how ignorant I, as an American, am of life in Palestine. The movie made it possible for me to feel that I was in touch with the day-to-day lives of these people. It revealed to me the place of song in Arabic culture, the duty of avoiding confrontation on the streets while simply shopping and the goals of family in their culture. My formal college education and my cultural education have severely lacked in informing me of the lives of the palestinian people. This movie was a brilliant beginning for expanding my cultural understanding. It has left me empathetic and wanting to know more.
11/5/03
Tommie
Corinth, MS
I think this is a very good portrayal of a Palestinian family. It is subject matter that is rarely seen on American television. The subject was treated honestly and with sensitivity. I feel that Sherine Salama has done us all a service and we Americans owe her a debt of gratitude.
11/5/03
Marlene
Phoenix, AZ
Mariam and Bassam are proof that no matter what country on Earth one goes to, the majority of citizens are trying their best to eke out a peaceful, prosperous and stable life. I believe this shows that the problems the world faces in the countries that are rife with violence and armed conflict are brought on by a small group of radicals who have no interest in peace, prosperity and co-existence between differing peoples.
Mariam and Bassam are a welcome asset to America and I wish them health, wealth and prosperity. My heart aches for their loss of family and home country. I hope that they will come to love and treasure this vast and diverse country of ours. Our diversity and trials are our strength and hope for a better future for whole world.
11/5/03
NJAMBI MUIGAI
I love PBS.
I love Indies.
I had not planned to watch this show however as I was getting ready to go to sleep at about 10ish central time I flipped channels and happened on it.
Great great work.
Thank you Sherina for showing the world that Palestinians are people just like everybody else. They want the same things. To live in peace, get married, have children, laugh, cry etc etc..
I wish there was a way shows like this could be advertised more, so that more people can be exposed to a slice of life from different cultures, and in the process realize that we are all the same underneath the different language, religion, clothing, food etc
Those of us who immigrated identified with the shock she experienced with every discovery of yet another gadget that made life sooooo much easier.
keep up the good work.
11/5/03
Joel G.
Simply fabulous! What a treat to let into the life of these families struggling with the day-to-day few of us in this country have to deal with. Can enough good be said about the director's sensitivity to nuances--political, gender, social, ethnic.
What dicipline to choose not interfere with the fire alarm! What warm heartedness to choose to help Miriam call home. Beautifully balancing restraint and interference.
I lived in Palestine/Israel for 20 years as a foreigner and am delighted to see such a rich and touching portrayal. Thank you for letting me borrow your lenses, my own are now permentantly altered.
My heart aches for the pain of those trapped in the webs of their culture and society, and overflows in gratitude for my relationship with my wife, and my freedoms.
-Joel G.
11/5/03
cecilia
La Puente, CA
This was an excelent portrayal of immigrant strugles in the US as well as in their native countries. I very much enjoyed this film and hope to catch the next rebroadcast.
Both Miriam and Bassam seemed to adapt well enough to each other. Great Documentary
11/5/03
Azzam Saad
Fountain Valley, CA
Superb film, demonstrates the geniousity of the maker. Should be rebroadcast several times.
Living hardship in America is a honeymoon life compared to the suppression of Palestinians by Israel. True and sincere film that touches the simplicity of the villagers in the west bank. I loved the singing of Bassam and his barber.
11/5/03
Aziza J.
New York, NY
Last night I stayed up till 2 a.m. watching the film. Not only it is extremely interesting but also very real. I was impressed by how relaxed the members of Bassam's family were around the journalist. I loved the personality of his mother. The idea of arranged marriage is not bad, in most of the cases the family of the groom knows the family of the bride well, and they know her background, reputation, etc. I feel that in many societies, including the US, of course, women are forced to consider the financial aspect when marrying off. It does not mean they are immoral and savage just that our society, including the western world, is still highly patriarchal, and men do have more oportunities and more socail wealth.
The issue of immigration is very sad but true. The scene of Bassam going into a diner of a Jewish man and hearing him say, "You left your country and came here to fix my phone," was in a way a reflection of politics in day-to-day life.
I would like to thank Sherine and PBS for bringing such films
to American audiences. It makes us all more aware of things happeniing around.
11/5/03
Dallas,TX
I really feel bad for Senora, why does her husband treat her like that. He needs to respect her and make her a visa for her and her children as well. I think he doesnt realize that having her around would make his life a lot easier. As for the newlyweds I hope God will bless them with a long lasting life together. I just wish that Senora will be able to live happily with her husband by her side too. Then maybe the two sister in laws can keep each other company in the states.
11/5/03
Dave
Please re-air this and make the video availble.
11/5/03
Dallas,TX
Wonderful documentary!!! I've only began watching PBS recently, since we haven't got around to getting a cable or a dish, and I found it's enriched my life to a great extent. Thank you! I only wish this type of show would air at an earlier time-slot so a greater audience could be reached by its message.
11/5/03
Miguel Hernandez
Dallas TX
About time!!! Finally a refreshing real look into Palestinian lives overseas and their experiences here in the United States. This documentary dispells many myths about the savage image the typical American media has protrayed Palestinian people. I really enjoyed how this film showed how Israeli occupation plays a psycological role in the lives of Palestinians who live there. For all those who don't believe in the freedom of a Palestine then go there and live their lives and then decide. Thanks for reading this.
11/5/03
Emmy F.
Arizona
I'm glad that we were able to see a human side of the story about conflict in Middle East, and the struggles of the immigrants. I wish the best of luck for Mariam and her husband.
As for the gay individual wrote in this page--I agree that noone should be killed for their race, bacground, religion, and their sexsual preference in any country. But don't blame these people for it! It's the governments who does that. Any ultra religious country, in the past and now have committed crimes of this level. You have to remember that even the killed individuals are natives of that particular country - gay or not!
And maybe religion has nothing to do with it--Hitler certainly wasn't religious, and have managed to brainwash a whole modern, white race society - think about it. If you were black, or lets say, less than blonde and blue eyed in Hitler's country, you wouldn't have deserved to live. If they (murdered individuals) were non-gay would you not have sympathy for them for being killed for a stupid reason? It looks like everyone has a cause, and appears that you're not exempt from it.
It is as simple as this: There are good and bad people everywhere. I'm glad that we were finally shown some good people of that region, making it a real human experience in this case.
11/5/03
John Martin
Eagle, Idaho
I was mesmerized by the film, but even more fascinated by the comments I have read here in talkback.
11/5/03
Marlyn Sanchez
Commerce, CA
A wedding in Ramallah was a great film. I did not get to see the whole film but the little that I saw was incredible.
11/5/03
Natasha Peterson
Playa Del Rey, CA
Being an Immigrant now twice in my life, from India to Australia and from Australia to the USA. I have come to learn that we are all share the same feelings of joy, hope, despair, love etc, and are therefore alike, when you disrobe the garment of social conditioning.
I enjoyed the hairdresser in Palestine, and thought it not unlike trips to the hairdresser here in the US or Australia where you tend to open up and share whatis on your mind, and unlike friends, family or colleagues, they always are agreeable to your point of view.
An excellent piece of work!
11/5/03
Deborah Porter
San Francisco, CA
I am another viewer who stayed up much later than planned when I encountered your film. Miriam's a truly riveting personality; her reaction to the smoke alarm was priceless! ...what a great film. Thanks so much...
11/5/03
This is by far one of the best films I have watched. I am sure Bassam and his brother would of really prefered to stay in Palestine had it not been for the lack of jobs and especially the occupation. The film maker Sherine was amazing. I felt bad when she did not tell Mariam about the smoke alarm but then thought to myself she wanted it to be as natural as possible.... like having a camera there with no cameraman. I hope you repeat this program as many times as you can as it will give everyone an insight about the Palestinians and make them realize that they are not the terrorists the media portrays them to be.
11/5/03
Mrs. Ava L. Archie
I'm so moved, awestruck & impassioned by this film. The film was beautifully done, very educational, and I was most encouraged to read another comment that echoed my sentiments; that 20 books couldn't have expressed a more touching view of this story and it's background realism and relevance. I'm a Christian, wife, homemaker/home-educating mother of 7 daughters, grandmother of two granddaughters (toddlers). I want to say that I would love to purchase a video copy of this film as part of a social studies unit project for our daughters...subtitles and all. The film was tastefully done, and is appropriate for the entire family (all families), but especially American families...to obtain a reality check...and to provoke monumental reasons for developing the character quality of gratefulness. Sharine is a class-act, and she certainly has accomplished her goals (stated above)...the film had an emotional depth that is intricately woven into all family relationships & marriages, and was most culturally (Palestinian) enlightening to me. The candid honesty captured in this story served to affirm the prophetical consequences that continue to unfold as a result of the historical choices/courses of the Israelites & other peoples of the Middle East. My studies in The Truth of the origins of the conflict in the backdrop of this story made this film SO compelling. And the Truth that is central to my entire life purpose, by Design, is proclaimed in the undercurrent of this film...relative to the condition & nature of all mankind & the Solution offered by his Creator (while most often rejected) is confirmed in the futility of man's pursuit of "happiness"...even within the ranks of Family, cultural/village society nurturing, and especially in the elusive pursuit of "The American Dream". Thank you Mrs. Salama P.S. I was trying to get a feel for the culture by reading "Answering Islam" ("The crescent in the light of the Cross") by N.L. Geisler & Abdul Saleeb...which is an outstanding work for apologetics...but nothing like the affect this 'very human story' has had on my soul.
11/5/03
thomas crowley
anchorage,alaska
Possibly the most informative and emotionally engaging documetary film I have ever seen. Thank you Sherine Salama and good luck to Mariam and Bassam!
11/5/03
I loved the documentary on Bassam & Miriam so much. I am a Syrian Jewish woman and I related to Miriam's personality and sense of humor so much. Although our background is different by way of religion, our culture is very much the same. Her journey both touched me and troubled me, and I hope she has adjusted to her very different life in America. I think Bassam is very lucky to have found Miriam and should show his appreciation for her organizing their home so well. My community does make Henna parties, I did not get one since I did not marry a Syrian or a Jew, for that matter. I never heard the Henna was a "woman's insurance", but I really like that! The only issue about the video that made me sad was to learn of the Palestinians' blanket hatred of the Jewish people. It hurts me that they and the video did not give any thought as to their responsibility, at least in part, for the imposed restrictions other than to simply blame the "Jewish army". That hurt me because I remember a different relationship with my Arab friends. I would also like to have known what actions resulted in Bassam's difficult choice of being imprisoned or leaving the country, and would have like to hear some positive comments about the fact they did allow him to re-enter the country to visit his family and find his bride. Shows the Israeli government is not completely without feeling. Salamac and Shalom. Your friend.
11/5/03
Nana Krishna Kumar
Sunnyvale,California
That was a wonderful film Sherine.I watched it along with my four year old daughter.I was surprised when she sat through the whole film and she kept asking me why is uncle leaving aunty and going and is the baby crying because she can't come here with aunty.There was especially this touching scene where after Mariam leaves Sinora hugs her baby.You can really feel her despair and loneliness.I would wonder at least after seeing the film whether Moussa would change his mind and bring Sinora over here to the United states.Every human being has the right to live in the world without fear.I was especially saddened at the plight of the Children there.They would'nt even know whether they'd live to see the next day.It's so frightening.
11/5/03
Columbus Ohio
The documentary was close to the reality I've seen while visiting Palestinians in Jordan. I am almost amazed you were given such access, but then again I'm sure Bassem's family didn't think there was anything wrong done on their part. (e.g., mother-in-laws don't ruin marriages) The mental abuse is substantial (e.g., insults said about Sinyora's village in her presence, having to live with people who need a servant not a wife for their son...)
I'm an American-born, non-Muslim married to a Muslim, Palestinian immigrant.
The film was depressing for me because it confirmed my perceptions of the drudgery of life for women over there. (Or over here as virtual prisoners - can't answer the phone or go out alone. Luckily, I don't have the same restrictions since I'm "different.")
The extra stuff on your web page had a link for "Do women hold an inferior position in Muslim society?" I think your film answers that question, but I would add that the insulting familial relationships appear to apply to Christian household too. It's more cultural than religious.
11/5/03
Dallas,Tx
The film made me cry. It brought so many memeories for me personally. It also made me realize how much I miss my family and homeland (Iam from Nablus.)We got to see a glimbse of the palestinian people everyday life which the american people rarely see. Thanks for a great job, I hope to see more of this kind of films.
Ohoud
11/5/03
Wonderful and unusual film; a true "family ethnography." At the end, it stated that we could learn more about Bassam and Miraim's life in Cleveland on PBS website, but there's nothing here. How are they doing? I thought that Miraim was quite amazing in her feistiness which also challenges stereotypes we may have of docile Moslem women.
Also, in your debate between two scholars about women's position in Arab countries, why didn't you chose some of the real experts on this topic who happen to be Arab or Arab-American women scholars? I would have liked to see experts who work on these topics directly in their scholarship, rather than two men who don't.
11/5/03
Rajen Patel
New York, NY
(1) A marriage is not only the union of two individuals, but it is also a union of two families. When arranged marriages take place, the families either know each other already, or they get to know each other in advance. Any conflicting views or beliefs in either of the two families can possibility stop an arranged marriage from going forward. This works in favor of the bride and groom because if the two families have problems, then without a doubt, it would make the couples' lives misrable for years to come.
Western societies have strong family ties too. So I believe the arranged marriages would work in the western families as well.
(2) Under the circumstances, the newly weds did the best they could, and there seems to be no better alternative. Let's not forget, their freedom and access (i.e. lives) are totally controlled by the local authorities. They really had no other options. Period.
(3) She sure does fulfil her goal. It is really amazing to find how local folks (also human beings) cope with daily "horror and blood-bath", and take time to go-on with their lives under "difficult and challenging" conditions. Many thanks to Ms. Salama. Please follow-up on this type of quality work.
My personal comments:
Living in the U.S.A, I only saw and heard images of Palestinians as terrorists and evil-intended folks who follow some stone-age and barbarian religious philosophy. I saw and heard it when I was in High School. I saw and heard it when I was in College. I see and hear it now as I am in workplace. I won't be surprised to find that such images are deeply ingrained in many people's minds all over the U.S.
So....
It is very refreshing, heartening, and simply very nice to see Ms. Salama's work that screams-out to the world that the Palestinians are people too.
11/5/03
David Miller
Wonderful program!
I love this type of program. I really liked the Montana families special & the one a while back about the poor farm family (in Kansas I think) that was having marital problems.
The wedding in Ramallah program was a window into life in another country/culture. "Cultures" are not just something to study and compare. Cultures are dynamic. Culture is about how real, common people facing life's everyday problems make decisions. It was fascinating to see how a Palestinian perspective can be so similar to ours and yet how their culture played a major role in the way certain events transpired. The wedding in particular was very revealing about the values of the people of Ramallah.
Their perspective of life in the US was fascinating as well. An outsider's perspective can reveal things that would be obscured to insider.
Real-life documentaries like these are fascinating! Very informative and culturally enlightening. Thank you all for doing this type of program. Keep up the good work
11/5/03
philadelphia, pa
my heart goes out to both miriam and sinora. being unfamiliar with arranged marriage, i am curious, are there many women like sinora who have left their own families behind only to be abandoned by their husbands and left with his family instead? is there a cultural system in place that keeps sinora waiting...for years? why do these women marry?
i think mariam should have been learning english from the day she knew she was moving to america. then when she arrived she'd have the ability not to rely on bassam for communication with the outside world, and she could have had some freedom instead of being locked in the house all day like bassam's pet.
11/5/03
yacoub nasrallah
anderson,sc
flipping through tv channels i watched this program by coincednce and loved it being a palestinian born in jordan i still feel with my brothers in palestine.....the film had me laughing ,sad,angry,depressed etc etc...why.......ill tell you:
lets start with angry : because watching my people under zionist occupation made me feel like that... my land and my grandfather's land now claimed by another immoral people
i was sad to see what kind of economy exisits in what is left of palestine not because the palestinians are not smart or hard workng but because there is a zionist policy to make life so tough and difficult for the people so they would eventually leave their country to work somewhere else....
On the bright side this is a palestinan real tv just like watching the survivours or mtv real tv....and while arab tv channels are busy imitating the western programms they forgot that they have the material for the best programs ..such as this one.........
i laughed ,along with my wife, at ( sorry mariam) mariam trying to sweep the carpet ,and having problem with the fire alarm (did the fire alarm ticked mariam and made her wana go back? a good question)...........
what realy puzzle me why bassam never talks to mariam about life or anythng he just come in and sleeps on the couch ( could he became another southern jentleman..i.e. couch potato)......
it was a chance for me and my wife to discuss our situation when she came here from jordan..... we both college educated so this made the transition easier but we had our runs with technology.. i jumped when i first went to a grocery store and the automatic door opened... :) my wife came here from jordan and asked me when do u change the gas cylinder for stove top ( she didnt know the electric ones exist...and another time she asked me when does the water comes from the city (we had water rations in amman were the water would be pumped on tuesday only to customers).........i had crest tooth paste (the pump kind) and it was empty and when it does u supposed to buy another cartridge to replace old one but i came home one day and my wife was busy trying to fill the old cart. but with no succes...
and finaly sorry for any spelling mistakes
11/5/03
Louise
Pomona, California
This is a very vital film on many levels, political as well as sociological. I hope it receives a wide audience here in the States.
In regard to Bassam's lack of preparation for Mariam's arrival, he should have arranged some additional time off from work in order to take her to see some sights, learn how to shop, and meet other Arabic speaking people so she would not feel so isolated.
I would like to see the filmmaker do some more work along these lines, especially regarding arranged marriages---a concept much misunderstood in the West.
11/5/03
Boston, MA
Wedding in Ramallah is a very profound film. It truly takes you into the heart of human challenges - love, social conditions and tackling the uncertain future.
As for most immigrant groups, is there no Cultural Center/(resettlement group)in Cleveland that could help Mariam adjust to her new life through English classes, group activities, etc.?
11/5/03
T. Carter
Hurst, TX
I stayed up until 1 AM watching the Program. Very interesting. As an African-American is was nice see the view of other culture's. I have learned a great deal. I wish the best of American luck to Bassam and Mariam.
11/5/03
judy
jacksonville florida
What started out to be a start of nagging, crying and not sleeping by my children on a late tuesday night turned into a wonderful time of watching this documentary by Sherine salama. I am Arab-american raised in the United States. My mother and father are from Ramallah, Palestine and we have a huge Palestinian community here in Jacksonville, Florida. What I saw is exactly how it is. It made me long to go see our homeland and it also made me sad for Mariam. Was she going to the promise land or was she just going from one sadness to another? I think bassam is a typical arab man, when Mariam arrived in america She not only came to a strange home but she came home to a mess! So is that so much an arab man or just a man? I am glad to hear she and bassam are doing well and she is learning english. I would love to see more of your work.
Thanks again for bringing the palestinian traditions in the limelight and showing people that arranged marriages are not to be sneered at but to be seen as a lifetime of traditions, children, family and love!
Judy salem
11/5/03
Pawtucket, RI
I found the story very, very interesting and wish the couple much happiness in Cleveland. Question: Do Bassam and Miriam have any children?
11/5/03
Loved this documentary. Puts the Palestinian face on the human condition and does so much to understand the differences but more important the similarities of cultures and traditions. Whatever your ethnicity, who could not see themselves in these people?
11/5/03
Kirk Hoxie
Knoxville, TN
Many thanks to Sherine Salama for making this film (and for the way in which it was made). Getting a glimpse into the life of a people whose culture and location is different than my own has shown me how, at a basic level, similar our wants and needs really are. Its the outside factors that makes us so different. Inside, we are all want the same things. I would love to meet this couple and share that with them.
11/5/03
Jordan Bani
Wichita Kansas
In my opinion, Bassam and Mariam are exceptionally rare married couples, whom they have nothing in common, or Sherine Salama did a very poor job to produce such program!
Sherine Salama did great good job by painting a bad picture of middle-east men, and stereotype in regards to a woman as a thing, and a follower, rather than critical part of the family!
I did watch the program, because I always watch PBS TV for their in-depth, accurate, and impartial programming!
Best regards,
Jordan
11/5/03
Hope Stautzenberger
Austin, Texas
I loved it! Not only was it eye opening as far as how women live and are treated in Palestine, but it taught me more about that country then any book could have. My heart goes out the the many women left behind waiting for their husbands. I'd like to see a follow up on these two young ladies.
Thank you!
11/5/03
Scott Widitor
Beverly Hills, California
While the film was an interesting investigation of Palestinian family life, it's many political expressions were both crude and hateful. The "Jews" are portrayed as uniformly evil. From Bassam's description of his "infertility" because he was beaten by the "Jewish soldiers" who came to arrest him, to the insulting comments to Bassam made by a man wearing a yarmulke in Cleveland.
Such unidimensional characterizations are hateful and insulting. I would have expected more insight from the filmmaker. If she wanted to make a film that "transcended" politics, she would have either left the issues out of the film or "neutralized" the political and ethnic hatred so evident in the film.
11/5/03
rory edward
houston
this show had me both sad and mad .. i felt so bad for sinora having a husband that wont take her back to the us .. and be married to someone who has kids in the us. ive never seen a couple married in the us who kiss each other on the cheek like that all the time . i just think arranged marriages are a bad i deal.. i have so much agaist it i can write what i wanna say
11/5/03
Apple Valley, California
The husband's frosty greeting at the airport disappointed me so much. I'm certain the wife felt worse. He got his maid alright. I thought I would scream when he ordered her to get his slippers. He is a very cold-hearted man. His ten years in the U.S. have not benefitted him in the least. I suppose this is how Arab men treat the women. I feel sorry for Arab women. There was no compassion in this man at all. This film did nothing to change my ideas about Arab culture.
11/5/03
Chester Lowrey
Hilo, Hawaii
I really enjoyed this film, the emotions and entire way of life presented was so interesting, I almost felt like I was there watching these peoples lives. Independent Lense is one of my favourite progams on PBS, keep up the great work.
11/5/03
Anisa
Portland, OR
I enjoyed "A Wedding in Ramallah" immensely. It was beautiful, touching and insightful. I hope to see more movies of this kind on PBS. I wish Mariam and Bassam the best of luck with all my heart
11/5/03
Michelle
San Francisco, California
I really enjoyed the film and getting an opportunity to "meet" some ordinary Palestinians trying to cope with life (and marriage) under occupation. I would also like to know how Mariam and Bassam are doing now. I would also like to know their reactions to the film and the effect it has had on them and their relationships.
11/5/03
Eric
In Western society I believe that arranged marriages "work," but I do not believe it is best.
The trend I've noticed is that, mostly, men leave the US to find a foreign wife and return with her from a third world country. Most men who do this are 1st or 2nd generation immigrants who are not fully involved or accepting of Western society and culture. It appears most like a business deal, absent of emotion, detached from bonds beyond the scope of legal and marriage documents.
Dare I say, that arranged marriages involving an American and a third-world bride or groom, be like a legal manner of slavery?
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I felt a detachement between Bassam and Mariam as they sat together, and lived together. Again it was cold and business-like. Bassam took to his marriage as he did his outlook in business and that is why he was able to expedite paperwork processing for his wife.
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It is stated that one of Salama's goals with this film was to demonstrate a Palestinian families ability to transcend day-to-day politics: If living life acklowedging, yet ignoring, events that another culture finds appalling and inhumane -- such as Bassam's commentary over Palestian and Jews fighting in the distance and him suggesting they leave so "nothing happens," Mariam peeking throw the door way and in the direction of "normal" tank firings, Bassam's mother conceding that sometimes they must sleep on the floor, and, most shockingly, the family watching live coverage on TV while fighting is happening in their neighborhood -- then yes, I agree she does so.
Furthermore, I garner the theory that every culture: Palestinian, American, Japanese, Germanic, and all others are able to "transcend" their day-to-day politics regardless of the brutality of those events.
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Overall, I enjoyed watching this documentary. Parts of me wanted to reach out and help these people: whom at first seemed helpless, yet after watching the show, seemed much like 'us'.
I believe Salama used tension and frustration of situations well
enough to impress universal emotions. As Mariam was left to figure out homemaking life in America, slowly realizing that her life would be repetitive and boring, you can sense the paradox of her arranged marriage and wife/slave life to come in America.
11/5/03
Lynn Huidekoper
Menlo Park, CA
I caught about 45 minutes of this program. It reinforces the need for more folks to watch public television. I loved seeing the day to life in Ramallah esp. with these families who were so gracious to let us into their homes so we can understand their culture. Of course very timely since I believe a lot of this city has been destroyed this year.
It shows how universal relationships are in families-the same issues. The generational differences. I laughed a lot esp. when the mothers were discussing mothers-in-law and their interference in their children's lives.
I have met couples who have been married in the US as arranged marriages still following their cultural practices(Hindu,etc.) It probably wouldn't hurt to try since 50% un-arranged marriages here fail!
What could they have done more? Have Mirian read books about American culture in their language(?Arabic, ?Palestinian?)-preferably with pictues of typical American life(if such exist).
Filmmaker Salama succeeds in addressing many modern issues in this film: the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, arranged marriages, long waits for immigration papers, conflicts between older and modern customs-both in Ramallah and the US, the desire by the young women to have more status and independence from men, men working is US where they can earn more than in their country and sending money back to their families
Thank you Sherine for this wonderful film!
11/5/03
Olga Azar
This documentary aired late on a Tuesday night at my local PBS station, KQED. Generally, I hit the mute button while doing other things but "A Wedding in Ramallah" proved to be one of the most compelling films on TV I have seen in a while. One thing I really appreciate about the work is the filmmaker's presence in it. Unlike so many documentaries that purport to record without interference, the relationship between observer and observed is aired, making the honesty of the entire piece all the more convincing. There is a sort of compassionate detachment that makes "Wedding" a standout.
What is especially important in "Wedding" is the portrayal of Miriam and Sinora as giggling girls vaulted into a world -- even their own -- so foreign to their cherished desires. "Stand by your man" has never reached such geopolitical proportions.
This is a very important work, and entertaining as well; a difficult amalgam concerning such tender political and domestic issues.
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