Ali's Wedding

About Ali's Wedding

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• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music
• Soundtrack

About

Ali's Wedding is a 2018 Australian comedy film directed by Jeffrey Walker. The movie is a warm, heartwarming, and humorous tale of love, cultural expectations, and self-discovery. It is based on the real-life experiences of its co-writer and star, Osamah Sami.

The film follows the story of Ali, a young Muslim man living in Melbourne, who is caught between his family's expectations and his own desires. Ali, played by Osamah Sami, is a talented pianist who dreams of going to university to study medicine. However, his father expects him to follow in his footsteps and become a doctor. Caught in this conflict, Ali finds himself lying about his university entrance exam results and his engagement to his father's choice of bride. As the lie spirals out of control, Ali must find a way to reconcile his own desires and his family's expectations.

Making / Production

Ali's Wedding was written by Osamah Sami and Andrew Knight and produced by Sheila Jayadev and Helen Panckhurst. The film was shot in Melbourne, Australia, and had a budget of approximately $3 million.

Director Jeffrey Walker focused on capturing the authentic experiences of an Australian Muslim family while balancing humor and heart in the film. The script went through several revisions to ensure a well-rounded and engaging story that resonated with audiences.

Actors

• Osamah Sami as Ali: Ali is the film's protagonist, a young Muslim man torn between his family's expectations and his own desires. Osamah Sami delivers a standout performance, bringing depth and vulnerability to the character.
• Helana Sawires as Dianne: Dianne is Ali's love interest and a kind-hearted Lebanese-Australian girl. Helana Sawires portrays the character with charm and authenticity.
• Don Hany as Mahdi: Mahdi is Ali's strict and traditional father. Don Hany brings gravitas to the role, showcasing the complex emotions and struggles of a patriarch torn between tradition and modernity.
• Rodney Afif as Sayyid Abbas: Sayyid Abbas is Ali's religious leader and mentor. Rodney Afif gives a memorable performance, providing guidance and wisdom to Ali throughout his journey.
• Frances Duca as Amira: Amira is Ali's mother, torn between her husband's expectations and her love for her son. Frances Duca portrays the role with warmth and nuance.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Osamah Sami, who co-wrote and starred in the film, drew inspiration from his own experiences growing up as an Iraqi-Australian.
• The film explores important themes of cultural identity, family expectations, and the challenges faced by first-generation immigrants.
• Ali's Wedding was well-received by critics and audiences for its heartwarming story, authentic representation, and strong performances.

Awards

No notable awards were won by Ali's Wedding.

Quotes

• "Sometimes, we have to do the wrong thing to do the right thing." - Ali
• "Love is not a choice; it just happens." - Ali's father
• "In the end, it's about living an honest life." - Dianne

Music

The film features an original score composed by Nigel Westlake, which merges traditional Middle Eastern sounds with modern melodies. The music adds depth and emotional resonance to the story, emphasizing key moments and themes.

Soundtrack

• "Into My Arms" - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
• "Sun" - Cat Empire
• "Take Me" - Sia
• "From Little Things Big Things Grow" - Paul Kelly & Kev Carmody