Saratoga Jewish Community Arts, with a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York and sponsored by Temple Sinai of Saratoga Springs, presents a panel discussion on Zoom of the powerful film The Syrian Bride. The 2004 Israeli and Arab film is loosely based on a 1998 border-crossing incident in the demilitarized zone between Israel’s Golan Heights and Syria.

Beyond its political overtones, the film presents the personal and psychological limits faced by women in traditional societies. The panel discussion will be presented on Zoom on April 22 at 7 pm.

The film takes place after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war in Majdal Shams, a Druze village in the Golan Heights. The Druze religion is a medieval offshoot of Islam, and the Druze people are dispersed among several countries in the region. The formerly Syrian village, which includes both Israelis and Syrians, is technically classified as “undefined.” This identification means that when Mona, the Syrian bride, leaves the village (with proper authorization) to be married and crosses over into Syria, she will be unable to return and see her family in Majdal Shams again. 

Mona’s wedding day is the saddest day of her life. The Syrian Bride is a powerful film about physical, mental and emotional borders and the courage it takes to cross them.

The Israeli Director, Eran Riklis, says his goal is “to tell simple stories of simple people against the backdrop of local, regional and even world politics.” Riklis believes “the movie transcends geography because it is really about all people at a crossroads, living with physical and emotional borders.”

Advance registration for the panel discussion is required. Registrants will receive a playbill and Zoom link about a day before the program, followed by a last-minute reminder shortly before the program. 

Click here to register.

To watch a trailer of the film, click on Syrian Bride Trailer.

Where to Watch: The Syrian Bride is available to stream for free from Kanopy (https://www.kanopy.com/en) or download the Kanopy app on the Apple App Store or Google Play on your tablet. Kanopy requires a library card membership or university login.