Watch Wedding in Galilee

Wedding in Galilee is a 1987 film directed by Michel Khleifi, set in a Palestinian village. The movie is a poetic and subtly political drama, which revolves around a Palestinian family's wedding ceremony. The story takes place in a small rural village in Galilee, which is being ruled by Israeli military authorities. The main character is the village elder, Abu Salem (Makram Khoury), who is an affluent olive farmer, and he has one son named Sahar (Mohamad Ali El Akili).

Abu Salem wants to celebrate his son Sahar's wedding with grandeur, and he has grand plans – including inviting high-ranking Israeli officials. Abu Salem hopes the invitation will help smooth relations with the Israeli government.

However, the arrival of the Israeli officials doesn't go as planned, and this leads to various complications around the wedding. Sahar is engaged to a woman named Mariam (Bushra Karaman), who is a schoolteacher, and she happens to be Abu Salem's second wife.

Mariam is initially hesitant about going ahead with the wedding due to the political situation, as her previous husband died due to the conflict between the Israeli and Palestinian authorities. Mariam fears that she will lose her son if she marries Sahar.

As the wedding arrangements progress, Abu Salem encounters various complications. He struggles to find a suitable location for the wedding celebration as the Israelis restrict where the ceremony can be held. The villagers face scrutiny and suspicion from the Israeli military, and the impending arrival of Israeli soldiers further adds to the tension around the wedding ceremony.

The film beautifully captures the tensions and complexities faced by the Palestinian villagers, who are trying to celebrate their cultural traditions in a conflicted and often restricted landscape.

At the heart of the story is the tale of a conflicted father and son relationship, and the struggles this family and the Palestinian community face under occupation. Through their experiences, we understand the plight of ordinary Palestinians and the impact the Israeli military authorities have on them.

The movie features stunning cinematography capturing the rugged beauty of the Galilee countryside. The acting performances are all very effective, particularly that of Makram Khoury, who provides an excellent portrayal of a father deeply caught in conflict with his son.

In conclusion, Wedding in Galilee is a poignant and deeply affecting film, capturing the spirit of traditional Palestinian values against the background of the brutal Israeli occupation. It's through the depiction of the wedding ceremony that we see glimpses of hope, and the sheer determination of the Palestinian people to hold on to their cultural traditions amidst the oppression. A must-see movie for those interested in Palestinian issues and the difficulties facing the region.