By Michelle Ryan

Wajib is a Palestinian drama, directed by Annemarie Jacir, which follows  a father and son on their comical journey to deliver wedding invitations. When Shadi (Saleh Bakri) comes back to Nazareth from Italy to help his father, Abu Shadi (Mohammad Bakri),  with tradition to prepare for his sister’s wedding, the two generations clash over traditions and what it means to be an Arab living in Nazareth. This dynamic duo, portray the relationship between Abu Shadi and Shadi in the most realistic and believable way thanks to their real-life kinship.

Wajib translate to “duty,” and that is an integral part of the film. The two share a “duty” to deliver invitations, Abu Shadi has a “duty” to follow traditions, and Shadi has a “duty” to live the life he wants to lead. “Duty” is the central cause of conflict between father and son and takes the audience on a winding familial journey through Nazareth. The entire film takes place in one single day, opening my eyes to the idea that a simple story, embellished with complex characters and conflicts, can become some of the best and easiest films to watch, teaching me something I didn’t really understand before.

Intertwined with the clash of old and new, humor is neatly woven in to Wajib. The tension created within this Drama is constantly aided by comedic relief and helps   keep the audience engaged throughout the entire film. The comedy and authentic father-son relationship were the two characteristics of Wajib that kept me occupied for the complete 96 minutes. This funny drama tells its viewers that as we live our lives our views and ideals may shift, but our roots and family will always remain the same.

Posted on 0 By FFE 2018 Posted in 2018

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