Written by: Elite Zexer
Directed by: Elite Zexer
Starring: Lamis Ammar, Ruba Blal, Hitham Omari
Rated: TV-MA
Plot
In this Arabic language movie, a Bedouin patriarch takes a second bride, causing his first wife angst over her social demotion while his daughter dreams of being free of social constraints. It's the struggle between doing what you're told and what you want.
Verdict
This is a culture where men have multiple wives and marriages are arranged. The constraints on women in this society are seen from a mother and her daughter's point of view, but even the father is constrained by society. He does what he must to fit in, and his culture lets him control his wife and daughter.
You can't fight an entire society alone. Suliman accepts that, choosing to play by the artificial rules that bind the village. Men have the power in this village, and despite his wife and daughter's attempts to rebel, they can't change the system.
Watch it.
Review
Why would you even want two wives? Suliman is running two households and only keeping one happy. His new wife is a source of conflict for his first wife Jalila. You can't blame Jalila when she's living in shed and the new wife has a fancy new house with doors and windows. That's how bad her shed is, a working door would be an upgrade. It's oppression even if it's culturally accepted.
Their daughter Layla is in love with a boy from a different tribe. Jalila orders her daughter to stop talking to him. Layla believes that if her parents will only talk to her boyfriend, they will see what she sees. Suliman is outraged that Layla has embarrassed him in front of the village by bringing the boy to their home.
Suliman does what's expected of him by his peers and by the culture. He never tries to rebel, because doing that will make him an outcast. He's a guy that wants to avoid conflict, thinking that following what is culturally acceptable will save him. The system is too big to fight by himself, so he does what's easy. He does what society allows to control his family. It's easier to overpower his wife and daughter than to fight the system.
Suliman has accepted his circumstances, but it's easier for him because this is a patriarchal society. He can choose another wife or marry off his daughter at will. What many of us assume as a basic right, choosing our spouse, that's a privilege not granted in this culture.
There is so much this movie leaves to the imagination. It doesn't spoon feed you every detail because it expects you to really ponder what's happening. This movie doesn't delve into how the characters feel, with a hamfisted monologue. We just see how they react and can begin to imagine their thoughts. I'm biased against Suliman, but I also don't live in that culture.
Suliman looks like the bad guy, and while he is, he's just looking out for himself. You have to imagine his entire village is beholden to tradition. While he may want to let Layla choose her spouse, he's afraid of what everyone else will say.
Suliman has all of the power. The entire society is built on that fact. Jalila urges him to do what he wants to instead of what's right. We don't know what he wants, but he knows that would be detrimental. She orders him to at least find a husband worthy of their daughter. Jalila's rebellion against her husband only impacts herself, and not for the good. This movie does a great job of making you feel sympathetic for the oppression inflicted upon women.
Suliman is a prideful man, disappointed that his family doesn't respect him the way he feels others are treated. He's reactive, using the tools he has to subdue his wife and daughter. Jalila just wants what's best for her daughter in the context of their society. While she considered upholding the village's ideals, she changes her mind. Jalila and Layla both lose their fights, but maybe change isn't so far away.
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