O Casamento de Ali

The story of Ali (or Charlie) is uplifting and funny much more because it's based on a true story (apparently).

Above all, it's the story of young love that conquers all. This may sound cheesy or corny or campy but Ali proved that it can be done.

His story is told against the backdrop of his religion and culture as these interact in a secular Western society. In a tolerant society, one's religion and culture can thrive.

Of all the actors, Helena Sawires as Dianne Mohsen, has mesmerizing screen presence as she captivates the viewer with her charm and the way she carries herself on screen. On the other hand, Osamah Sami is likeable as Ali, an average naive teenager, who just wants his father to be proud of him until he meets Dianne.

An interesting facet of Islam, as the film avers, are its concept of temporary marriage and divorce (the one who wants a divorce has to say it three times in different occasions to be valid).

Watch this film to be entertained and to learn a thing or two about Islam in a contemporary world.

I really enjoyed All's Wedding. It's funny, poignant and although it's about Arab and Muslim culture, it really transcends culture to illuminate truths about us all. I especially like that it pokes gentle fun at Arab culture but simultaneously pokes gentle fun at the stereotypes so many of us carry about immigrants, and especially Middle Eastern immigrants. This movie, aside from easily standing on its own two feet as entertainment, is timely and makes a contribution to our multicultural society, through understanding. Kudos to all involved.

There are two love stories here, and also a view of the Melbourne's Muslim community from the inside looking out. The first and most obvious love is that of Ali (Osamah Sami) for his neighbour and fellow Muslim, Diane (played beautifully by Helena Sawires). One of the problems for Ali is that Diane is apparently the wrong kind of Muslim - of Lebanese decent and Australian born while Ali's family are more recent refugees from Iraq. Another difficulty is that she has flown through the entry exams to study medicine at the local university while Ali has only pretended to pass to try and live up to his family's expectations. Just to make the path of true love yet more bumpy, Ali also walks - more or less by accident - into an arranged engagement with a girl he doesn't know at all. (And this whole story is apparently true.)

The second, and more nuanced love is Ali's deep affection for his father - a cleric who struggles constantly to bring a human, humoured and caring interpretation to his religion. And it is living with an all encompassing religion in a secular country that it the source of much of the film's humour - and its challenge. For non Muslims, this doesn't always work - we (or at least I) just don't know enough about the culture and customs involved. And we aren't familiar with a rule system this strict.

It is an education, though, and a touching story. 7/10.

Ali's Wedding is a film of many gifts. It's funny, heartfelt, and not quite what you'd expect from Aussie cinema. It's an Islamic focused film that is an honest look at the pocket of communities in Melbourne. And on top of that, this is all a true story, focusing on Osama Sami's struggle at Melbourne University going through an identity crisis.

For such a specific cultural play-set of story, Ali's Wedding shows the good and welcoming side of the Islamic religion while mocking aspects of family life, Muslim or not. Family's a tricky thing to portray in these comedies without being overtly stereotypical or offensive given a somewhat alien culture within Western society. There's grounded Islam and funny Islam in this; it's an open-minded film that utilizes its heritage to explore terrain unseen in Aussie cinema. It's a cultural milestone and could prove to be an international cult classic in the 21st Century.

I highly recommend this film. Even if you're an Aussie who's not into Aussie-cinema, give this one a shot because it is a film with international appeal and entertainment. 9/10.

There is so much in this movie that I have no idea about. I know nothing of Muslim culture and it was really fascinating to me. Utterly charming from beginning to end and not 'over tried' or too clichéd, yet some of the moments were laugh out loud ones for me, in fact quite a few. However, I did feel serious discomfort for the theme which can and does occur in any culture or family where children are a misconception in a parent's mind, no matter if they are loved and where pressure from what is considered 'done' can be overwhelming for young people, often at massive detriment. Luckily, this had a happy ending and from it all, this wonderful, well acted and very entertaining movie arose which I would most certainly recommend to every Australian and anyone who loves a good romance and lesson in how we are all the same.