The Band’s Visit (2007) & The Syrian Bride (2004)
The Syrian Bride and The Band’s Visit, are two films that originate from the same region and deal with similar issues in different ways. Israel is the setting for both films, political problems have isolated it from neighboring countries and they disrupt the lives of people inside and outside of the border. Several examples are shown in each film dealing with border disputes, cultural barriers, and political turmoil. The area filmed includes Egypt, Syria, as well as Israel, and shows views of people breaking political, social, and religious barriers with bonds formed on intimate social levels.
In The Band’s Visit, an Egyptian Police Orchestra is on its way to Petach Tikva, Israel when communication problems put them on a bus to a small town somewhere in the Israeli desert. Upon arrival, Tewfig (The Conductor) asks the first local (Dina) if there is an Arab Cultural Center? She says no and he asks, “No Arabic Cultural Center?” She responds with, “No culture. Not Israeli culture, not Arabic…no culture at all!”
There is an atmosphere of desolation and the place looks like it has been cut off from society. The town as well as the highway leading away from it is virtually empty with no life; similar to the members of the band in regards to the mood they create. The town is probably a by-product of an emerging market society in urban areas and is likely to have high unemployment, crime, and just plain boredom as displayed in the film.
The band decides to stay the night when Dina explains that it is no trouble to take them in. As the eight members of the band spend time with the local Israeli people, awkward situations of prolonged silence are the norm. Egypt and Israel were enemies until a peace treaty in 1979 and now these people struggle to find common ground. There is no real tension that develops between anyone and relationships begin to grow slowly throughout the story. The relations spawn from common bonds of humanity as everyone becomes a person; not a band member, a father, or a dinner owner, throughout the experiences shared together.
The arrival of the band was exciting and music is carefully threaded into the story in a sparing effort that proves to be a meaningful tool in defining the characters as well as connecting them. It seems to be a last resort in situations where all else fails in holding conversations. There are several scenes where this is the case although the band members never use it as a crutch. They also never seem proud of their mission or talents, except perhaps for Tewfig, who carries the responsibility as the commanding officer. Modesty is shown by all of them including Tewfig, possibly with the occasional exception of the young ladies-man, Haled. The band is shown as proud and disciplined during the concert and before hand when Tewfig gives a speech about honor and integrity in representing their country.
Ultimately language barriers were the cause for the delay and cultural differences were all but nonexistent over a period of time. 75 miles northeast of Petach Tikvan, in the Golan Heights, cultural differences have led to a forty year territory dispute as a result of the Six year war. Druze living in the area are not allowed to vote unless they assume Israeli citizenship, and they are not allowed back into the country if they travel to Syria. In Syrian Bride, a young woman plans to leave Golan Heights to marry another Druze who lives in Syria, a man she has never met. Once she crosses the border, she will not be allowed to return to Israel where her family lives. This story is a reminder to those who are not faced with such persecution that it still exists in many forms and affects lives everyday.
Ultimately language barriers were the cause for the delay and cultural differences were all but nonexistent over a period of time. 75 miles northeast of Petach Tikvan, in the Golan Heights, cultural differences have led to a forty year territory dispute as a result of the Six year war. Druze living in the area are not allowed to vote unless they assume Israeli citizenship, and they are not allowed back into the country if they travel to Syria. In Syrian Bride, a young woman plans to leave Golan Heights to marry another Druze who lives in Syria, a man she has never met. Once she crosses the border, she will not be allowed to return to Israel where her family lives. This story is a reminder to those who are not faced with such persecution that it still exists in many forms and affects lives everyday.
Actual Druze wedding similar to The Syrian Bride
yalibnan.com/.../2007/03/just_like_syria_1.php
Current border disputes between Israel and Syria have placed the bride and her family in a bad situation. She sits behind a gate that cannot be opened while the groom and his family wait on the other side, all of whom she has never met. Details of new passport stamps bring about uncertainty with the local authority, placing a delay on the wedding. Each family has gathered for the ceremony, the hours grow late, and the evening is approaching. It’s a Thursday afternoon and no one with proper authority to give clearance is anywhere near a desk when called upon. Tensions grow high with the threat of postponing until the next day, and are only compounded because of the bride’s situation of not being able to return to her country once she leaves.
The six day in 1967 war has left the Golan Heights in a state of turmoil. The 100,000 Druze who fled the Golan area for refuge, were not allowed to return after the war. Israel inhabited the area directly after and occupies it to this day. Controversy also remains today with both sides negotiating deals and U.S. involvement to encourage a settlement. Israeli citizenship is offered in the area although the majority of Druze refuse, rendering themselves ineligible voters.
The six day in 1967 war has left the Golan Heights in a state of turmoil. The 100,000 Druze who fled the Golan area for refuge, were not allowed to return after the war. Israel inhabited the area directly after and occupies it to this day. Controversy also remains today with both sides negotiating deals and U.S. involvement to encourage a settlement. Israeli citizenship is offered in the area although the majority of Druze refuse, rendering themselves ineligible voters.
Early there was a protest going on in the Bride’s town and the amount of political tension in the area is seen when the father of the bride joins in the protest risking severe legal penalties due to a salty past. One of her brothers shows up with his family at the same time and the cab driver makes them walk from a distance to avoid possible vandalism to his vehicle from the protesters. The couple hasn’t visited yet since marriage eight years ago due to the fact that she is Russian and not a Druze. Marrying a non-Druze is discouraged for political, religious, and historical reasons and conversion into the faith is not allowed. The father refuses to engage his son and his wife in the beginning. At the border he forgives his son after he saves him from being arrested. The moment allows the father to see his son as a man, and successful lawyer, not just a rebellious son.
While at the border, the father speaks through a megaphone to converse with another son on the other side. The son is attending college in Syria, probably due to the free tuition. Soldiers on each side of the border seem completely ignorant to the wedding and fairly laid-back in regard to composure. The only real tension on either side is within the wedding party. The imagery of men standing on hillsides above the border fences with megaphones as their only means to communicate makes this political dispute look in-humane. The separation is not one of dangerous criminals but rather innocent people. The wedding also achieves the same feeling, especially considering what the bride is sacrificing just to cross the border. The groom was also celebrating with song and dance near the gates in front of militia with friends and family creating a strong contrast in surroundings.
While at the border, the father speaks through a megaphone to converse with another son on the other side. The son is attending college in Syria, probably due to the free tuition. Soldiers on each side of the border seem completely ignorant to the wedding and fairly laid-back in regard to composure. The only real tension on either side is within the wedding party. The imagery of men standing on hillsides above the border fences with megaphones as their only means to communicate makes this political dispute look in-humane. The separation is not one of dangerous criminals but rather innocent people. The wedding also achieves the same feeling, especially considering what the bride is sacrificing just to cross the border. The groom was also celebrating with song and dance near the gates in front of militia with friends and family creating a strong contrast in surroundings.
The female U.N. official is the only sign of humanity at the border. She showed compassion for the family and employed everyone she could in an attempt to rectify the situation. She was appalled by the actions of local officials who would not overlook such a small detail, signs of tensions or prejudice that still lingers from the war.
The movies are each about the triumph over underlying issues and the bonds shared by humanity that allow feelings of compassion, trust, and friendship to disregard these issues. They don’t emphasize agendas and ideology, but rather display them in a way that shows the human desire to look past these things in an effort to enjoy life. While the band waited in front of the dinner for their bus, a sense of general acceptance is also shown. This is seen by the groom in Syrian Bride, when he talks to the bride with the megaphone. He doesn’t seem anxious anymore about the situation. The bride displays the same emotion when she walks towards the Syrian border after coming to terms with the situation as well.
Many barriers are broken in the films including cultural, religious, and political. Characters are put into uncomfortable situations that require adaptation and flexibility. New relationships emerge and traditions are modified or coupled with new and old. The area in general is reluctant to give up its past. Israel is a place of political unrest and change is slow to come in the Golan Heights. With Syrian opportunities creating immigration from the area and international involvement with the border disputes, it’s only a matter of time before a compromise will be made. For now citizens are faced with uncompromising decisions and only hope of resolution.
The movies are each about the triumph over underlying issues and the bonds shared by humanity that allow feelings of compassion, trust, and friendship to disregard these issues. They don’t emphasize agendas and ideology, but rather display them in a way that shows the human desire to look past these things in an effort to enjoy life. While the band waited in front of the dinner for their bus, a sense of general acceptance is also shown. This is seen by the groom in Syrian Bride, when he talks to the bride with the megaphone. He doesn’t seem anxious anymore about the situation. The bride displays the same emotion when she walks towards the Syrian border after coming to terms with the situation as well.
Many barriers are broken in the films including cultural, religious, and political. Characters are put into uncomfortable situations that require adaptation and flexibility. New relationships emerge and traditions are modified or coupled with new and old. The area in general is reluctant to give up its past. Israel is a place of political unrest and change is slow to come in the Golan Heights. With Syrian opportunities creating immigration from the area and international involvement with the border disputes, it’s only a matter of time before a compromise will be made. For now citizens are faced with uncompromising decisions and only hope of resolution.
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