Original subtitles

WEDDING IN GALILEE

Salim Saleh Daoud.

MILITARY GOVERNOR

I'm here to get permission for my son's wedding.

Hold it whenever you want.

What do you mean “whenever I want“?

You've set a curfew from sunrise to sunset,

you don't let us hold any gatherings,

and your soldiers terrorize everybody.

You live in one of those extremist villages

that doesn't know the meaning of gratitude.

These regulations will remain in effect to teach you a lesson.

I'm just asking you to suspend them for my son's wedding.

The wedding can be postponed.

You have too many troublemakers.

Don't you remember the bloodshed four months ago?

We have to maintain law and order.

That's why we're not allowing any gatherings.

I swore on my life before the whole village

that my son's wedding would take place this month.

You're asking me to do your village a favor

when you're still throwing rocks at us?

Do you want more people to be killed?

No, you have to learn to respect our will.

Just a minute.

Wait outside.

I have an idea that would get us right into their world.

We give the mukhtar just one condition:

that you be guest of honor at their wedding.

If he accepts, we give him the authorization.

- What are the risks? - Practically none.

The important thing is that he accept the condition.

We'll take care of the rest.

Okay?

Go and get him.

You are all invited, and you'll be most welcome.

Please come.

You've given me a condition. Now let me give you mine:

that you stay with us till the very end of the wedding.

Till the very end of the wedding.

Mother of the groom, let me hearyour call.

That's what happened to the son of the adulteress.

- They killed him on his way home. - Did you see him, Grandmother?

He was some fellow, and what a horseman!

- But did you see him, Grandmother? - Of course I did.

Go and get the men of the family. I have something important to tell them.

He had his eyes on me before your grandfather asked for my hand.

And I was spared the grief of his death.

She's totally senile. She's completely gone.

With no husband, no children, life would've been more peaceful.

You're right-much more peaceful.

I tell you we're going to have the most beautiful wedding in the village!

Everybody will remember it!

The old and the young.

Start getting out the old family robes.

I want the bride to wear my grandmother's dress,

which no one has touched since her wedding.

Wait a minute, Um Adel.

I had to invite the military governor and his officers.

That was their condition, and I accepted it.

What do you think?

It's your decision.

But try not to cause a split within the village and the family.

In these times it's hard to have the kind of wedding you want.

We have to make this the finest wedding ever celebrated in the village.

Uncle Khamis is here!

There he is.

Is it true what they say?

My nephew is getting married under the protection of the Israeli army?

That's an insult to our people. We won't accept it.

We're with you. He's right.

Listen, listen.

Calm down.

Sit down.

Tell me the truth.

You are all invited to the marriage of our son Adel.

This ceremony will light up east and west.

Yes, but at what cost?

A few days ago, my grandfather came to me in a dream wearing a white robe.

He looked at me tenderly

and asked me to celebrate Adel 's marriage as soon as possible

with a feast such as has never been seen before.

The girls will wear their embroidered dresses,

the house will be decorated with the most beautiful ornaments,

and we'll bring our best musicians and singers.

We'll slaughter the sheep,

the women will prepare the most sumptuous dishes,

and the blue horse will parade through the village again.

When the Turks were here,

they detested the Arabs.

They'd say, “Get moving, you Arabs!

Arabs are asses!“

- That's how they treated us. - Father, be quiet!

Enough of your Turkey!

That's all very nice, but once more, at what cost?

Would we ever stop anyone, no matter who, from sharing our joy?

Even our enemies.

The military governor and his officers asked to come.

They're welcome too.

They're not welcome! Why should they come?

Just a minute, my friends. Calm down.

Then the Turks killed them.

We were all young at the time.

We'd hear about the executions,

and we'd go watch them.

That was before the First World War.

You're all invited to the wedding of my son Adel next Friday.

Quiet! Go home, all of you. Now!

The good thing about this situation is that we can once again unite

to show the military governor our strength and unity.

Okay, but don't forget that this celebration belongs to us.

Life has to go on, in spite of their weapons

and their emergency regulations.

We have to kill him!

I'm not the only one they've tortured. We've all suffered.

This is an opportunity for an attack on the governor.

- This is our best chance. - This is our only chance.

We have to kill him, and fast.

Oh, you who go to the well let me drink from your hand

I suffer not from thirst.

But from desire to speak to you.

Won't you tell me what you're going to do?

It doesn't concern you. It's men's business.

How are we supposed to welcome him

when the curfew and blockade keep us from our fields?

How are we to welcome him

when the blood of our martyrs is not yet even dry?

I swear by my grandfathers and by my land

that I'll never attend your weddings again!

It's my turn to speak.

If my house were close, I would have brought you raisins.

But your house is here, Grandfather, so give us the raisins!

Enough! Go ask your mother what's for dinner.

This is an insult to us and to the village.

There can be no celebration without dignity, and no dignity under the army's heel.

By order of the military governor, curfew will begin one hour earlier today.

Attention, attention.

By order of the military governor, curfew will begin one hour earlier today.

How can I look my friends in the eye?

Where can I go to hide?

What can we do? We can't do anything.

And weren't you the one

who asked me to talk to your father to make the wedding sooner?

Have you forgotten already?

Things have changed.

It's harder now.

I hadn't expected all this.

Don't worry about it.

Samia's certainly going to be happy about the news.

You have to choose! Your bride or your patriotism!

Even a traitor would refuse to be married under such circumstances.

It's his decision. Go talk to him.

Shut up!

Oh, mother the song of love is my song.

I'd rather live under the blows of the dagger.

Than under the reign of scoundrels.

Quiet! Shut up!

It's strange.

Every time I want to tell you a beautiful story

a story you've never heard,

I find you asleep in my arms.

What are you dreaming of, my child?

Are your dreams like mine?

It's strange.

Why do I want you to leam mystery by heart?

What I fear most for Hassan is myself.

Regroup at the entrance to the village.

Return to the camp.

Give us a piece of bread.

And some more tomatoes.

Did they bring the parsley?

Open the boxes. Peel all of it.

Add more spices and butter.

Um Adel, come, come.

Go get dressed. People are starting to arrive.

Put them outside.

Bless you.

Hurry up!

The wedding can't start without the mother of the groom.

I'm going, but add more butter.

Don't worry, go on.

Sing, sing.

- Have you seen Ziad? - No.

- Have you seen Ziad? - Yes. No.

- Have you seen Ziad? - Under the olive trees.

How are you doing, Ziad?

The governor and his clique will sit at that table.

Over there?

If we could trap them at the right moment

and get their weapons, we could take them hostage.

Maybe, but we have to really plan our attack.

So we don't get caught. That's for sure!

There are more presents!

Welcome to the guests!

May God thank you for your lamb, Tawfik.

Roll your cigarette and enjoy yourself.

Why are you sad.

Samia is fine like a palm tree.

Friend, my patience betrays me.

Her beauty drives me crazy.

She caresses me.

And I caress her.

Drink, drink.

How beautiful your hair is when it's wet.

I knew you when you were only a filly.

You used to run behind your mother like a gazelle,

your tiny hooves tapping on the hard ground.

Peoples' faces would light up with hope when they saw you

and stroked your soft mane.

You were born to be the mount of the most worthy.

I want you to hold your head up like a proud virgin

on this wedding day that means so much to me.

Uncle, people are starting to arrive.

Welcome.

Bassem, today you are my only help. Keep your eyes open.

There can't be any incidents tonight.

It'll all be fine. Our men are everywhere and they're watching everyone.

Uncle.

Your dream should come true.

Quick, boys, the horse is ready.

The lovely ones have left the bath.

How beautiful are the visions in my dreams.

Fly away to the heavens, O dove.

The bridegroom climbed onto the mare.

A horse of Arab blood.

The bridegroom's face is soft as a flower.

Go on, climb up proudly Don 't worry.

We have honored your family with our offerings.

There are informers all over. Be careful.

- Are you sure? - What?

Informers are everywhere. We have to be careful.

Bassem!

- Is everything okay? - Better than okay.

Watch out for Ziad and his friends.

We're keeping an eye on everyone.

The Turkish officer was oppressive and very tough,

and the English officer was even tougher and more oppressive.

- You're in good health? - Yes.

Thank God.

Pay attention to the groom. I'll be right back.

- What's he singing? - Forget it. He's singing in Turkish.

The plan is very tricky.

We have to watch out for the informers.

What have you brought?

My father's pistol and some bullets.

You're crazy. Your father's pistol? The collaborator?

Shut up! How else can we do it?

I've thought of that.

Here are some knives.

- It's very sharp. - Of course.

You think it's a toy?

Quick, hide! Abu Adel's coming.

What's he doing here?

Follow me. We're going to find out right away.

Since you're not sick, come with us.

The whole village is celebrating and everything is going fine.

Okay, I'll get up, but I'm not going with you.

In all my life! Never thought I'd see the day

when we'd sell ourselves to the enemy.

Calm down. This wedding is ours, and we can do what we want with it.

These soldiers are outnumbered by our men.

If I could do it myself, I'd chase them away for good.

Abu Khaled, you're not coming for the governor's sake,

but for my son Adel and for me!

And if you don't show up, I'll never set foot in your house again.

No celebration without dignity, and no dignity under the army's heel.

No celebration without dignity, and no dignity under the army's heel.

Hassan, go and look for Sumaya.

Abu Adel.

Have you seen Sumaya?

Abdallah had his eye on me before your father asked for my hand.

Abdallah was as handsome as a god. I'm warning you again.

She's completely delirious, this old woman!

Hassan, come here.

Where's Sumaya?

Find your sister for me. Everyone's waiting for her.

Marry her off. That'll shut her up, and the others too.

This old woman pretends she's batty.

You think she's lost her wits, but she has the mind of a traitor,

a live coal under the ashes.

I told you Abdallah was equal to 100 men.

Father's looking all over for you. Mother wants you next to the bride.

Hassan, come here.

Who's the most beautiful girl in the village?

Today, it's the bride. Any other day, it's you.

Wonderful, wonderful!

This is only the beginning. Wait till tonight.

With an atmosphere like this, we could stay here forever.

Welcome.

Bassem.

Don't be afraid of him.

Don't worry.

Who are those characters? Nobody invited them.

They're the governor's men.

They're watching everything we do.

Come with me.

Keep them eating and drinking. That'll calm them down.

Ziad.

Ziad, come here.

Find us a table. We want to get drunk.

A wedding without alcohol is like paradise without people.

- Come and sit here. - We want to have fun.

Yeah, we're here to have fun, not to pray.

Don't worry, you will. just don't make any trouble.

Leave me alone.

Don't you see that there are informers everywhere?

Don't hang around here. Everyone knows you were in prison.

Bassem, don't you want us here?

If we had refused to come, you'd have held it against us!

Now that we're here with all our hearts, you want to send us away.

Cut it out. Stop this nonsense.

This wedding belongs to you too. Let it take place in peace.

Are you happy?

We're going to start a new life together.

I'll be your faithful friend.

If you're my friend, help me get out of here.

Otherwise I'll explode.

How can you sit there like that?

Sumaya...

go downstairs.

But send up Mansur's wife.

All we have to do is carry the plates and slip the weapons under the food.

We have to find the right moment.

We'll carry the trays to the governor's table.

You, you'll go behind him and then-

Leave me alone.

Leave me alone. I want my freedom!

I'll never agree to a divorce. Get that into your head.

Let me go. I can't take it anymore.

- How do you expect me to look at people? - You're crazy.

I haven't touched you for seven months.

I can't take it anymore.

You'll be sorry.

Ziad.

You don't have time for me anymore?

It's the wedding. I'm very busy.

What are you up to?

- Leave me alone. People will see us. - I don't care about them.

If you don't come with me now, I'm going to forget about you.

You know, you're not the only boy around.

Why don't you go after the Israeli officer? You think we're blind?

You can't do anything without me. You'll see.

Um Adel.

Sumaya's going to disgrace us.

She knows what she's doing.

I warn you, I've had enough of her.

Sumaya isn't the problem.

You should make sure that the wedding goes well.

This food isn't bad, but I can't take the arak.

It was the same in Lebanon.

What do you call that? Mezza?

That's right. Mezza.

In Lebanon there was more variety.

But the food here is better, isn't it?

Anything but kibbutz food!

Soybeans and yogurt.

I feel sorry for you.

But nothing compares to the food in Damascus.

Not to mention Aleppo.

Aleppo?

That glorious city in northern Syria.

There you find real eastern cooking.

They make the best kabobs in the world.

You should pray to the God of Israel

that he let you taste the food in Aleppo one day.

I feel good.

To the bridegroom!

To your health, Abu Adel!

To your health, Uncle Abu Adel!

- Tali! - Get some water.

It's nothing. I think it's just the heat.

To the military governor!

She's exhausted from the heat.

Poor creature. She's not used to this.

Come on, everyone. Let's celebrate.

Tali!

Please shut the door.

We're going to eat her alive after the ritual.

Is she your girlfriend?

We take good care of our soldiers.

Shut up, you brats! Girls don't know how to behave anymore.

Somebody needs to teach you girls a lesson.

If you want to dance with us, take off your uniform.

Out of here, all of you! This minute!

Everything's all right. She's asleep and relaxed.

I'll bring her back to you when she wakes up.

Shalom.

- Has the Turkish officer come? - Who?

- The Turks are back? - Get out of here!

Go ask your mother what she's cooking.

This is the first time I've ever touched a thoroughbred.

Do you know how to ride him?

I knew how to ride before I could walk.

- But today it's your turn. - Not me. I'm afraid.

Afraid? Okay, I'm going back to the wedding.

Why did you let him out? I was only kidding!

We have to go after him!

Zahi, hurry up!

DANGER-KEEP OUT CLOSED AREA

Don't move! Didn't you see the sign?

What do you mean? I don't understand anything.

They put mines all over to keep us from planting the fields.

Keep an eye on the horse.

Don't move! I'm going to get my father.

Please, God, don't let the horse step on a mine.

How's it going?

No problems so far.

We have everything under control.

Keep an eye on the mukhtark's men.

He's an old dog.

Yes, an old dog.

Nobody bothers with him anymore.

Nobody.

He's an old dog.

He was as handsome as a god.

He's an old dog.

- Have you seen my father? - The army took him away.

- The English or the Turks? - Get out of here!

On the backs of horses.

We learned to ride.

Our young men are lions who know no fear.

We're brothers in country and religion.

Want to try some?

I don't smoke. I'm looking for Father.

He took two little puffs and ran away.

Cut it out!

Father, it wasn't me. It was Zahi!

We just got done with the female soldier. Now you've made more trouble for us!

I think we should ask the governor for help without making a big scene.

I wanted a peaceful wedding without getting the soldiers involved.

And look what's happened.

Not one word. Not a whisper.

Zahi!

He's lucky, this horse.

He went into a field full of mines.

He could have been blown up in a second.

Explain to him.

He's afraid we might not be able to save the horse.

The valley is full of mines.

Listen, mister, you have to save him.

It's because of these two little devils.

Have you heard of sfiha?

It's made of meat and pine nuts,

ground up fine and soaked in butter.

They leave it to settle a while

and add the pine nuts while the oven is heating.

To pine nuts!

Spread out!

Spread out, I said. Do I have repeat everything?

Zahavi, go up a little higher.

Wait, stay where you are!

Why can't you understand?

Be careful not to hit the horse.

Okay, that's it. Perfect.

Haddad, stay where you are and start firing.

Fire!

Fire!

Shoot, Zahavi!

Watch out for the horse.

Bassem...

tell him to stop shooting or I'll go after her myself!

Uncle!

Tell him to stop!

Uncle, do you want to kill yourself?

Don't you see I'm doing everything I can to save your horse?

What? Are you crazy?

She's a racehorse. The shots will drive her mad.

He'd rather go crazy himself than let anything happen to her.

Let him give me directions and I'll bring her back.

Okay.

If you give him directions, he'll bring her back.

He should go as far as the rock and then turn to the right.

You hear that, Uncle?

You have to go to that spot

and then come back this way.

Come.

What do I do now?

Have him come straight here.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Go ahead. The girl is still sleeping.

- What? - She'll join you when she wakes up.

- I'll wait here. - No, she's fine. Go.

Get the bride ready. We have to hurry up with the marriage.

They should go to their bed.

Let the mukhtar know that we want the marriage to be consummated now.

- Where's Ziad? - We never let him out of our sight.

If his plan works, it'll be a disaster!

The groom's mother says to consummate the marriage now.

You, go. You, come with me.

If you don't come with me, I'll tell.

I told you I'm busy.

I know what you're planning to do.

I don't want you going back to prison.

You're going to destroy yourself. You'll see.

Everything went fine. Did you save me something to eat?

It's quite a story.

Let's lead the groom to his marriage bed.

We brought the horse back safe and sound.

Tell me, is the wedding over?

No, we've just started. We have to bring the bride and groom together,

and then the real feast will begin.

Are you enjoying yourselves?

Of course. It's a magnificent wedding.

Abu Adel, your daughter is always off with the boys.

This thread has no knots,

in case some evil person tries to cast a spell on you.

Samia.

Bring me the basin of water.

Get undressed.

Dry the floor, quickly!

No problems with the knives,

but what should we do with the gun?

Let everybody carry his own weapons.

And while we hold them back,

one person can come from behind.

Okay, let's go.

Ziad!

We should be careful. People are getting excited.

It's more than excitement. I overheard them talking.

It sounded like an attack.

You let headquarters know, and I'll tell the governor.

The soldiers should go back to the village.

Don't move!

Adel, my dear, open the door! I've brought you a lamp.

God save us from evildoers.

It's not serious, my love.

It can happen to anyone.

You have to try again.

I'll send your mother to you.

Take this, my son.

Excuse me.

Hurry, let's go inside.

Hassan, come here.

Come and see.

Sit down.

Tell me what you saw.

Nothing.

But Mother was crying and asking God to help Adel.

Wait a little.

Leave them alone.

People are only thinking about the celebration, and God is generous.

I'm afraid, Abu Ibrahim.

May God help them.

Let's pray to God that he join them as quickly as possible.

Tell Bassem to come to the car.

Honorable Governor.

In a carpenter's shop in Nazareth,

there are tables that stand on their back legs.

God save us.

Some are red

and spit on the ground

and speak Arabic

without military authorization.

What's to be done?

Honorable Governor,

in my big shoe

runs a wide river

with its big fish.

And without military authorization.

So what's to be done?

Listen, it's getting tense here.

- Where's the mukhtar? - I don't know.

We have to find him.

I hope we'll soon be wearing ourselves out at your wedding too.

Uncle, is everything all right?

You have to go to Nazareth and bring back Dr. Asaad.

What's wrong?

Nothing's happened to the bride, has it?

If only it was that.

It's Adel who can't do it.

That's not such a problem.

Give him time.

Adel can handle it himself.

And if he can't? How do I hide my shame?

Things are getting worse. I can't leave now.

Adel's problem is simple.

Tomorrow he can go to the doctor and everything will be all right.

But no one will leave without seeing the sheet.

Even the governor swore that he'd stay till then.

If it's just a question of a few drops of blood, that can be arranged.

In all my life I've never deceived anyone.

I beg you, go get him right away.

But your Dr. Asaad is a fake.

I won't go along with his lies.

Do you feel all right, Father? Can I help you?

I want to kill him!

I want to get rid of them all!

You have to forgive him. He doesn't know what he's doing.

Our father, our patriarch, doesn't know what he's doing?

Listen, violence isn't going to change him.

My father isn't me.

But he'll only understand that when I've killed him.

Violence doesn't solve anything.

My father is nothing but violence.

A monster who loves no one but himself.

His fatherly love has destroyed me.

I can't.

I can't.

We should cover our faces before we go to the wedding.

We have to attack before the soldiers come.

Everything's almost ready.

Not one of them must escape.

No celebration without dignity, and this is our dignity!

What have you got in your hands? Drop everything!

- It's an action to regain our dignity. - What dignity are you talking about?

You want to turn this wedding into a funeral?

We're only going to attack the Israelis.

Have you thought about the consequences?

Do you know how many victims will suffer?

Ziad, let go of that.

You're a bunch of kids!

Get out of here or I'll blow you all up!

No more playing games without thinking of your own people.

Now beat it!

I'm not against an attack that would blow up the soldiers,

but not at any price!

God forgive you, Abu Adel.

I'm going to see what's happening to you.

All patrols are to return to the village.

All patrols to the village at once!

I want everyone out.

All of them. Right now.

Yes, now.

The army's back!

Take the bread.

Don't give it to the soldiers.

I won't.

When I was young, I had hair that flowed down my back.

I used to ride thoroughbreds and do the saber dance.

I wore out two husbands.

The first ran off. The second died before our wedding.

I was an impenetrable fortress.

My grandmother is a fortress. What about my grandfather?

Oh, the poor man. I'm going to look for him.

Adel, let me in.

Open the door. Protect our honor.

I can't look anyone in the eye.

Leave me alone! I have to finish him off.

The people won't go home until they see the sheet.

Don't dishonor me in front of everyone.

Go away!

Mother, take him. Take him away.

I don't want to be the victim of his dreams.

What's to become of us?

Help me.

Help me.

It's strange.

Every time I want to tell you a beautiful story

a story you won 't hear in all your life,

I find you asleep in my arms.

What are you dreaming of, my child?

Are your dreams like mine?

It's strange.

Are you afraid of your own father?

Why do I want you to leam mystery by heart?

Do you want to protect the dignity of everyone?

I'm going to take my own virginity.

If a woman's honor is her virginity,

where do you find the honor of a man?

Hassan, where's your father?

What's the matter with you?

Something must have happened. I have to see my brother.

Everyone has abandoned me.

Even the dog has abandoned me.

Father, where's my brother Abu Adel?

The Turkish officer was oppressive and tough,

but the English officer was worse.

Damn Turkey and England and japan and France!

You've driven us crazy!

Better to bless than to curse.

Adel.