Zahira, 18, is close to her family, but the strong bond between Zahira and her parents is tested when her parents ask her to follow Pakistani tradition to choose a husband. However, there are irreconcilable differences between her parents’ expectations and traditions and Zahira’s Western lifestyle. Torn between two worlds, an unexpected pregnancy adds an additional, complicating factor to this young, independent woman’s life. Zahira faces an impossible conundrum and a tragic choice.
Directed by Stephen Streker, A Wedding (Noces in French) is set in Belgium, with French and Urdu speaking characters, and based on a real story. The film opens with Zahira setting an appointment for an abortion; her parents approve of this whilst she remains hesitant. The conflict between Zahira and her parents begins with her initial silent desire to refuse an abortion, yet it escalates when she is informed that she will have an arranged marriage, just like her elder sister.
Lina El Arabi is radiant in the lead role, perfectly encapsulating the inner turmoil that Zahira feels throughout the film – she struggles against the traditional demands placed on her by her family, desiring a world in which she has more choices. The only choice that Zahira’s family allows is in choosing between three men, though she prefers the freedom of her friend Aurore, amongst others.
Almost every action Zahira takes is one of resistance, whether it be in standing up for what she wants, running away from her family, or acquiescing to their demands in order to buy herself more time. A Wedding is introspective; El Arabi’s performance is understated, but perfectly balanced with the slow-burning tension that is present from the start and builds until it all ends in tragedy.
Though the film is driven by Zahira and her independent nature, her relationships are just as important to the narrative. Her plight is made all the more heart-wrenching because of the strong relationships she has with her family, especially her brother, and how much she loves them. It’s enough for her to come back to them several times, yet she finds she cannot completely divorce herself from the desire of choice.
Brilliantly directed to feel increasingly claustrophobic as the film goes on, A Wedding works precisely because El Arabi perfectly inhabits the struggles of her character.