The Syrian Bride (La Novia Siria) [NTSC/REGION 1 & 4 DVD. Import-Latin America]

I agree with the Amazon.com review that says this is a film about borders and the "absurdities of bureaucracy." Not only that, but it is a good depiction of life for the Druze of the Golan Heights. Officially part of Israel, this peculiar people mostly claims loyalty to neighboring Syria, who lost the territory in the 1967 War but still refuses to recognize Israel's dominion over it. Obviously this makes for a tense situation between the two countries and the Druze are stuck in the middle.The story is about a bride on the Israeli side of the border who is engaged to man (whom she has never met) on the Syrian side. The first part of the film is all about the bride's family and community and the delicate inner-workings thereof. This apparently gives the viewer a good insight into the typical life of the Druze. As an American, I of course found this society to be a bit peculiar, but I'm sure they would say the same about me. The second part of the film follows the bridal party as they try to make their way through checkpoints and border stations to meet the groom in Syria. This seemingly simple process turns out to be a bureaucratic nightmare and it drives home the reality of living in such a polarized region of the world. Again as an American I found it ridiculous that such a minor thing as a stamp could cause so much difficulty, but such is life in the Golan Heights!Overall, this was a solid film. First-rate production quality, solid acting, and intricate yet moving storyline. There wasn't any action or anything really exciting, but it was an insightful, and seemingly true-to-life film. 'The Syrian Bride' gets PK's stamp of approval.

The Syrian bride is a Druze woman from the Golan Heights, (Syrian land that fell under Israeli occupation in 1967) who is getting married to a Druze man, who lives in Syria.While getting to know the members of the bride's family, one can observe the struggle of people who are still loyal to the government of Syria but living under the authority of Israeli government. Once the movie gets to the point where she has to cross the border where the Israeli officials insist on stamping the passport as coming from Israel, and the Syrian officials insist on rejecting the stamp because the Golan Heights are Syrian land. Watching the detail that vacillate between bitter and comic, and wondering who's more stubborn, the Israelis or the Syrian, I was thrilled that the director chose to give an open ending, just like the struggle of these people.This work witnesses the work of Israeli, Syrian, and Palestinian actors which is a great step in the process of peace (if anybody still remember it).

This is a pretty interesting film about an area you don't hear a lot about in the news. It covers issues of family relationships in a society that is torn between a lot of different loyalties, and some geopolical issues between Syria and the Golan. The movie is incredibly anti-climatic. Everything seems to be building towards a problem and then the movie basically ends with the scene that's on the cover. My students enjoyed the movie but felt cheated by the ending. I suppose in an artistic sense the ending makes sense, but for entertainment purposes you might be unsatisfied. Overall though I can say this movie is worth checking out if you are interested in this part of the world.

I really enjoyed the movie and it kept my attention through to the end. I only wish that it had been in English. I had dot read the whole movie and that was slowing it down because I had to keep pausing it before they took the words off and moved on to the next statement. But, despite that it was a good movie.

I really liked this film. Having traveled internationally, I know the difficulties associated with obtaining the correct document with the correct stamp from the correct office. This film had the added emotional dimension of marriage and the accompanying social and family pressures. I laughed at times; at others I cried. I felt the anguish and frustration. This is not a documentary, but I can imagine it happening to someone. The film is not an action-packed thriller, but neither is it a chick flick. It's a film for the thoughtful.

I first watched this movie a year after I left the region where it was filmed. It shows beautifully the culture of the area.

...just real people in real situations. Family dynamics and interactions, both pro and con, take center stage in this terrific and very human drama.

What a story, gotta tell you it seems to be so much real, although so unreal for all the twists and turns, along the way. Hiam Abbass, Eran Rikilis, Makram Khoury, Ashraf Barhom and Eyad Sheety perform in a rather impeccable way, very convincing, indeed.Good photography, with great landscape shots, as well as adorable close-ups of the Syrian bride...Watch this witout any prejudice, just enjoy the interaction of the different "sides" involved!

Set in Majdal Shams, the largest Druze village in the Golan Heights on the Israeli-Syrian border. It shows the insane situation of a bride called Mona who wants to get married to Tallel, a television comedian that works in the Revolution Studios in Damascus, Syria.In order to do that she must cross the border, to enter Syria from where she is residing, which is recognised as a Druze village. Caught up with the political situation in the country/village and the occupation of their area by the Isreali conflict of 1967-Mona desperately seeks a way through the bureaucracy on both sides which prevents her leaving. We also see a snapshot of the Druze culture via the older brothers marriage problems, his sister Amal's daughters and his fathers situation and .At times funny it has a very serious side to it.I think this film tries to explain the sensitive issues in trying to sort out even the simplest of situations.I found this film very watchable having lived in this part of the Middle East. I am surprised that the film was written and acted in a very sensitive way although written by an Israeli producer Eran Riklis with an all Israeli cast.Great foreign filmI highly recommend this film and it certainly deserved the prizes it received .

Another fantastic film by Eran Riklis, describing the life of Druze people who live in Syria and in Israel, and a marriage across the border, with the many challenges this causes. Once the bride crosses to Syria, she can never go back to her beloved family in Israel.

It is OK for me but needs a multi regional DVD player. Difficult to get in UK - hence only regional 2

A simple film, but with a story that spells out just how difficult Arabs find it to live with Jewish overlords.Israeli make it so difficult for Arabs to live in Palestine that many find it easier to migrate to other countries.The red tape this lady had to go through to marry someone on the other side of the fence (literally) makes you wonder just what Israel is really like.

Great