A Wedding (2016 film)
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''A Wedding'' () is a 2016 internationally co-produced
drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. The drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular ...
directed by Stephan Streker. It was screened in the Discovery section at the
2016 Toronto International Film Festival The 41st annual Toronto International Film Festival was held from 8 to 18 September 2016. The first announcement of films to be screened at the festival took place on 26 July. Almost 400 films were shown. Awards The festival's final awards were ...
. It received eight nominations at the
8th Magritte Awards The 8th Magritte Awards ceremony, presented by the Académie André Delvaux, honored the best films of 2017 in Belgium and took place on 3 February 2018 at the Square in the historic site of Mont des Arts, Brussels, beginning at 8:45 p.m. CE ...
, including
Best Film The following is a list of categories of awards commonly awarded through organizations that bestow film awards, including those presented by various films, festivals, and people's awards. Best Actor/Best Actress *See Best Actor#Film awards, Bes ...
and
Best Director Best Director is the name of an award which is presented by various film, television and theatre organizations, festivals, and people's awards. It may refer to: Film awards * AACTA Award for Best Direction * Academy Award for Best Director * As ...
for Streker, and won two. It is based on the
honour killing of Sadia Sheikh The honour killing of Sadia Sheikh occurred on 22 October 2007, when a 20-year-old Belgian woman of Pakistani heritage was fatally shot by her brother, an act of sororicide. The murder occurred in Lodelinsart, Charleroi. Sheikh had left her fa ...
. Streker described the film as a Greek tragedy.


Story

A Belgian-Pakistani woman named Zahira Kazim, now 18 years old, breaks up with her boyfriend (who is also of Pakistani ancestry) when he says he does not want a child after she becomes pregnant. Her parents, meanwhile, ask her to choose between three candidates for marriage, all based in Pakistan, and she is uninterested in all of them. Instead she falls in love with a Belgian man of European ancestry, Pierre, and decides to get an abortion in the Netherlands after initially being unable to go through with one. Her friend Aurore and Aurore's father André help her as the relationship between herself and her family deteriorates over their attempts to make her agree to a
forced marriage Forced marriage is a marriage in which one or more of the parties is married without their consent or against their will. A marriage can also become a forced marriage even if both parties enter with full consent if one or both are later force ...
: she moves in with Aurore after her father starts a fight at her school. Zahira comes back to her family after her
Barcelona Barcelona ( ; ; ) is a city on the northeastern coast of Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within c ...
-based sister, Hina Kazim, pleads with her to come back, and she goes through with a wedding to a French-speaking Pakistani man over
Skype Skype () was a proprietary telecommunications application operated by Skype Technologies, a division of Microsoft, best known for IP-based videotelephony, videoconferencing and voice calls. It also had instant messaging, file transfer, ...
. However she leaves again when told she will fly to Pakistan for a second wedding and that Hina will go to Pakistan instead of returning to Spain; Zahira spends time with Pierre. Her father, Mansoor Kazim, experiences medical problems due to the stress. Zahira comes back to her house one last time to say goodbye, but her brother Amir Kazim fatally shoots her, an act of
sororicide Sororicide (; ) is the act of murdering one's own sister. There are a number of examples of sororicide and fratricide in adolescents, even pre-adolescents, where sibling rivalry and resulting physical aggression can get out of hand and lead ...
and an
honour killing An honor killing (American English), ''honour killing'' (Commonwealth English), or ''shame killing'' is a type of murder in which a person, usually a woman or girl, is killed by or at the behest of male members of their family or their male ...
, whilst hugging her. As photographs of crime scene exhibits are on the screen, a voiceover of a farewell letter addressed to her family occurs.


Cast

* Lina El Arabi as Zahira Kazim ** Streker described her as an "
Antigone ANTIGONE (Algorithms for coNTinuous / Integer Global Optimization of Nonlinear Equations), is a deterministic global optimization solver for general Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programs (MINLP). History ANTIGONE is an evolution of GloMIQO, a global ...
of her time" and "a character enriched by two cultures that, rather than cancelling one another out, add to one another." She is a Muslim and remains so even after eloping with Pierre. * as Amir Kazim *
Babak Karimi Babak Karimi (; born 1960) is a Czech-Iranian actor. For his role in '' A Separation'', he won the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival in 2011. Filmography Film * ''Tickets'' (2005) * '' A Separation'' ...
as Mansoor Kazim ** Jay Weissberg of ''
Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
'' stated that Streker "also scrupulously tries to present Mansoor as a loving father tied to a rigid code of honor which will destroy his entire family if shirked" but that he "succeeds only fitfully." Karimi never speaks in any of his
native language A first language (L1), native language, native tongue, or mother tongue is the first language a person has been exposed to from birth or within the critical period hypothesis, critical period. In some countries, the term ''native language'' ...
s in this film and is the only actor with this situation. *
Neena Kulkarni Neena Kulkarni (née Joshi) is an Indian actress who is known for her work on Marathi and Hindi films, television and stage productions. She has received several awards including a National Film Award, Maharashtra State Film Awards and three F ...
as Yelda Kazim ** Kulkarni stated that Yelda is "not a villain at all" but instead as someone "caught in circumstances" and "stuck to her fanaticism or beliefs." Kulkarni added that "despite staying in elgium
elda Elda (; , ) is a city and municipality located in the province of Alicante, Spain. , it has a total population of 55,618 inhabitants, ranking as the 7th most populous city in the province. Elda joins together with the town of Petrer to form a ...
doesn't integrate into that country at all." *
Olivier Gourmet Olivier Gourmet (born 22 July 1963) is a Belgium, Belgian actor. Gourmet was born in Namur. He won the Best Actor Award (Cannes Film Festival), Best Actor award at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival for his role in ''The Son (2002 film), Le Fils'' ...
as André *
Alice de Lencquesaing Alice de Lencquesaing (; born 11 August 1991) is a French actress. Personal life Lencquesaing is the daughter of cinematographer Caroline Champetier and actor Louis-Do de Lencquesaing. Career She made her film debut with a small role in C ...
as Aurore * as Pierre * Aurora Marion as Hina Kazim ** The Sheikh case did not involve an older sister; the writer created an older sister character for the fictional story. *
Harmandeep Palminder Ramanpreet Palminder (born 25 may 2005 ) is a French actor. Biography Harmandeep Palminder was born in an Indian Sikh Punjabi family in Blanc-Mesnil but spent his childhood and adolescence in Aulnay-sous-Bois, in the Île-de-France. He playe ...
as Adnan * Sandor Funtek as Frank The actor playing the
imam Imam (; , '; : , ') is an Islamic leadership position. For Sunni Islam, Sunni Muslims, Imam is most commonly used as the title of a prayer leader of a mosque. In this context, imams may lead Salah, Islamic prayers, serve as community leaders, ...
character was in real life an imam and was of Pakistani heritage.


Development

It is a co-production of the following: the Belgian firms Daylight and Minds Meet, the French firm Formosa Productions, the Luxembourgish firm Tarantula Films, and the Pakistani firm Bodhicitta Works. Streker stated that he did not feel inspired by the Sheikh murder until his discovery that the killer, her brother, loved his sister. As it was based on a real case, a lawyer reviewed the script to ensure that it was compliant with Belgian law. Streker added that he did not want to have obvious villains, quoting
Jean Renoir Jean Renoir (; 15 September 1894 – 12 February 1979) was a French film director, screenwriter, actor, producer and author. His '' La Grande Illusion'' (1937) and '' The Rules of the Game'' (1939) are often cited by critics as among the greate ...
, who stated, in Streker's words "there were never any bad guys in his films because each of them always had his reasons." Streker used a consultant to ensure depictions of
Pakistani culture The culture of Pakistan () lies at the intersection of Turko-Persian, Arab, and North Indian cultural traditions. Over centuries, the region has developed a distinct cultural identity, shaped by a fusion of Middle Eastern, Central Asian and No ...
were accurate. The final actress he cast was El Arabi even though he initially believed the role would be the first one filled. Desiring an "
Elizabeth Taylor Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011) was an English and American actress. She began her career as a child actress in the early 1940s and was one of the most popular stars of classical Hollywood cinema in the 19 ...
" for the Zahira role, he specified this aspect in capital letters, and added that she was "une des plus grandes actrices qui ait jamais existé" ("one of the greatest actresses who ever existed"). He also wanted someone who was Francophone, about 18 years old, and a person who would be credible as a Belgian Pakistani. Streker stated that he had such specific requirements that he could not find an actress of actual Pakistani heritage; instead he chose an actress of Moroccan heritage. He initially did not especially notice El Arabi but some videotapes of her already done convinced him she could fill the role, and he ordered a second audition for her. He stated that in every scene, Zahira's point of view was in the opening and ending. As part of the filming she had to learn some
Urdu Urdu (; , , ) is an Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in South Asia. It is the Languages of Pakistan, national language and ''lingua franca'' of Pakistan. In India, it is an Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of Indi ...
. Streker is personally friends with Gourmet and already knew him. He learned about Houbani through one of his acquaintances. In regards to Karimi, Streker decided to use him after he found out that Karimi, who he was familiar with from watching the film ''
A Separation ''A Separation'' (; ; also titled ''Nader and Simin, A Separation'') is a 2011 Iranian drama film written and directed by Asghar Farhadi, starring Leila Hatami, Peyman Moaadi, Shahab Hosseini, Sareh Bayat, and Sarina Farhadi. It focuses on a ...
'', spoke French.


Release

The film premiered on 24 August 2016, in the and was also scheduled to show in the
Toronto International Film Festival The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF, often stylized as tiff) is one of the most prestigious and largest publicly attended film festivals in the world. Founded in 1976, the festival takes place every year in early September. The organi ...
.


Reviews

Weissberg stated that despite the fact the director "strives hard to offer a balanced view of a traditional family in Belgium forcing their daughter into an
arranged marriage Arranged marriage is a type of Marriage, marital union where the bride and groom are primarily selected by individuals other than the couple themselves, particularly by family members such as the parents. In some cultures, a professional matchmaki ...
, yet in the end he delivers an issue-of-the-week cautionary tale that, though well-made, hits far too many expected buttons." However he stated that the performance of the lead actress compensated for this issue. ''
The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...
'' concluded it is "A probing family drama carried by a strong multicultural cast."


Accolades


See also

* List of Belgian films of the 2010s * List of French films of 2016 *
List of Luxembourgish films This is a list of films produced or filmed in Luxembourg, including numerous films made for television in the country. Many of them may have been co-produced with Germany, France or Belgium. A *''An American Werewolf in Paris'' (1997) B *'' Ba ...
*
List of Pakistani films of 2016 This is a partial list of Pakistani films scheduled to release in 2016: Highest-grossing films The top 10 films released in 2016 by worldwide gross are as follows: :''Background color indicates the current releases'' Events Award ceremon ...
*
Overseas Pakistani Overseas Pakistanis (), or the Pakistani diaspora, refer to Pakistanis who live outside of Pakistan. These include citizens who have migrated to another country as well as people born abroad of Pakistani descent. According to a December 20 ...
*
Honour killing in Pakistan Honour ( Commonwealth English) or honor (American English; see spelling differences) is a quality of a person that is of both social teaching and personal ethos, that manifests itself as a code of conduct, and has various elements such as v ...
*
Abortion in Belgium Abortion in Belgium was fully legalised on 4 April 1990, following the temporary resignation of King Baudouin of Belgium, Baudouin on grounds of conscience. The procedure is legal until 12 weeks after conception (14 weeks after the pregnant woma ...
*
Abortion in the Netherlands Abortion in the Netherlands was fully legalized on 1 November 1984, allowing elective abortion up to the 24th week of the pregnancy. Abortion for "serious medical reasons" can be performed after 24 weeks. There used to be a mandatory five-day wa ...


References


Further reading

* *
Info page
* *
Noces
-
Dossier pédagogique Lycée — Français / EMC Noces
(education guide for sixth form/senior high school students) * https://iffr.com/en/2017/films/a-wedding-noces ; Videos * - In French with English subtitles *


External links

*
A Wedding
' - Tarantula Films
French page
*
Noces
' at Jour2Fete (international distributor) *
Noces
'' at Jour2Fete France * {{DEFAULTSORT:Wedding, A 2016 films 2016 drama films 2010s French films 2010s French-language films 2010s Urdu-language films Belgian drama films Films about marriage Films about honor killing Urdu-language Pakistani films French drama films French interfaith romance films Luxembourgian drama films Pakistani drama films Films about siblicide 2010s Belgian films