Hi forgether, I had just finished watching 'The Syrian Bride' when I saw your comments. During the movie, I had the same questions but, by the end, I thought the movie had provided me the answers. Here are my thoughts:
First, Why is Mona going to marry Tallel even though they'd never met? It's obviously an arranged marriage - probably arranged by the family's other son who is on the Syrian side (the one on the bull horn asking for coffee). We learn during Mona's conversation with Amal that Mona had been married once before - unhappily married. Whether she divorced him or he died, the marriage ended. I believe in these areas/customs the chance for a second marriage for a woman who had once been married would be slim to none. Marrying away would free her and her new husband from too much gossip and/or stigma that would likely accompany a second marriage.
As we see with Amin, a man in this region has to maintain his manhood and his pride in the eyes of his peers and the community so a man wouldn't necessarily want a second-hand wife. It may also be considered bad luck - another reason a woman would remain unmarried. Being an unmarried woman in these areas/customs is not looked upon as a good thing. We understand this because at the border during the passport problems, Amal pleads that if her sister does not marry that day she will never marry. Mona even says it is bad luck to not marry on your wedding day. For these reasons, Tallel is probably her last hope for marriage even though it means she has to leave her entire family behind forever. While sad, not seeing family is not so unusual in their situation. For Mona, it may be the better option for her life. She may find a good man and at least she would be living in Syria.
Second, I seriously doubt correction fluid as it was used in the movie is allowed on official documents. This is why the new (replacement) Syrian guard took one look at it and said he could not sign off because it's something he doesn't understand. The first guard would have signed off because he was the one who insisted it should not have been stamped in the first place. He had seen the stamp and would have known what had occurred when it was whited out on the passport. His leaving before the problem is resolved serves to add to the absurdity of the situation and helps us understand the frustration they must feel dealing with these issues all the time.
Why the Red Cross woman does not have a phone is not clear except maybe it's because it was her last day and she had already turned everything in. Or perhaps, a phone is not standard issue since it is not typically an essential tool for the job.
I enjoyed the movie and got a little glimpse into the lives of people in an area we hear about often but still know very little about.
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forgether
16 years ago
Thanks, mdonln.
Being an unmarried woman in these areas/customs is not looked upon as a good thing.
I had thought about that but wouldn't it still better to be with family (since it was stated that she wouldn't be able to see them anymore) than marrying a total stranger? I saw that she probably "had to" but I didn't feel it at all. That was the problem, thus the question. But then maybe I need to be a Syrian to really feel it. The pressure/gossip that arises from the old custom in that area could be a lot stronger than I could imagine.
Yeah, I highly doubt correction fluid would be used on official documents, too. That and the phone thing felt more "contrived" and cheapen the movie. Like I said, I understand that it was to show how ridiculous the political situation for real people is, but I wished the director could've come up with something else.
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kassipoeg
15 years ago
I had thought about that but wouldn't it still better to be with family (since it was stated that she wouldn't be able to see them anymore) than marrying a total stranger?
Staying in her family and being a burden to them as she grew older would probably not be an option they would consider accetable. Also remember that it's not just her motivation - it's not just her decision. Her family to some degree have arranged this marriage to benefit the family.
The Middle East is a much more communal society than we are used to, so it's hard to realise, but you can't just be thinking about Mona's motivation, as if this is her decision alone and a decision that only effects her. It's in the whole family's interests to see her well married, not bringing shame on herself or her family by being a spinster, and so on.
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