Roadtrip movie is made for Mad Libs. A group of (Lonely ejected) give you out on a road trip to (do abortion); a couple (Fighting family members) go out on the road to (Mix the boundary between fiction and documentary film) – and it’s just the latest harvest of movies about going out in search of (All kinds of things). Nadia Falls ”Brides“Plug in some rather unexpected elements from the old road trip formula, with astonishing-and ultimately heartbreaking-results.
We do not know exactly what doe (newcomer Ebada Hassan) and Muna (an electric Safiyya Ingar) are doing when film opens. Details from Suhayla El-Bushra’s script are initially narrow, but it is clear that “Brides” has a lot to share, especially when Doe starts flashing back to memories of his mother (Yusra Warsama) and their complicated, seemingly painful life Together.
The only speaking message, issued early: we take up Doe and Muna’s story in “England, 2014.”
Even for audiences with limited knowledge of the film’s action, the time period and the place will spice up some ears. By the end of 2014 UK’s teenager Sharmena Begum left his home and traveled to Syria to become a “jihadist bride” for Isil – or as we know it in the United States, Isis. It is believed that she had been encouraged in this assignment by a pocket of ISIS-affiliated women called Sister’s forum. Two months later, three of her school friends came with her. But we do not know this part of the story yet – or how it will cut and influence Doe and Muna – we only know that these two BFF’s are on their way out of the country, spinning and a little scared.
There are, of course, hints, and at first the strongest parts of Fall’s film are these more nuanced sequences. An addiction to flashbacks of all stripes ranks for the first half of the movie, but they show up in their last act (still, it’s tough to go for a while). The couple fills with ice cream and burgers at the airport and will soon get ready for a simpler diet. They do not argue with their phones as teens do; When they look at them, they look shy, even scared. And the walk through airport safety? Too long, TSA also focused on them, saw the color of their skin (Doe is from Somalia, Muna’s family came from Pakistan) or perhaps their name on their documents.
At the end of their flight to Turkey, we get more to work with: Doe and Muna are waiting for a woman named Hanan, a dreamy stranger they met on social media. A voiceover and lightning on Facebook let us into whatever she sold the couple. And Doe and Muna have bought it and wait hours and hours at the gloomy airport in Istanbul on an escort that never comes and eventually decides on yet another crazy choice on top of a myriad of them. They are going to Syria, no matter what is required.
Case maintains many tonal expectations of the road trip comedy and the story of old age, to astonishing effect, when Doe and Muna lie, steal and meander through Turkey to reach the border. There is a cranky piece when it comes to securing bus tickets that eventually bring them into a good -natured ticket sales (Cemre ebuzziya) orbit, which leads to the kind of pulsating action that you know a little. Poor enjoy as entertainment (this is a compliment). The thorniness in the subject of Fall is always obvious; When she tries to balance duel ideas, themes and tones, “Brides” is most exciting when the director drives these tensions.
Initially, it is in violation of El-Bushra’s flashback-heavy script. When Doe and Muna get through Turkey, we are often sent back to see how the girls have ended up here, with a worrying emphasis on Does background (we learn more about Muna later, but Ingar is so dazzling to see that it is a pity that we have to wait for these moments). It is not only Doe’s home life that is missing (her mother’s changing boyfriend is of no help), it is also her experience in school where her silent nature and choice to carry Hijab draws her in sight of merciless bullies. She has a little respite in local Muslim society, especially when she starts spending time with the handsome and sweet Samir (Ali Khan), but we know that all this will eventually end, based on where doe is Now.
It can be wrong. While Doe and Muna’s current path is the more compelling part of “Brides” – somewhat unique and thought -provoking, a genuinely worthy addition to the road trip movie cannon – is the steady build up of their past what turns out to fill the real power. Where Is Doe and Muna now? We know, and we know how they got there, and even why, but in the last act of the film dare to explore more about who doe and Muna were before. Whonot where or how becomes the key to revealing “brides”, and when we realize that in the film’s difficult last moment, when it steer us into a new direction, it is impossible not to be moved.
Rating: B-
“Brides” premiered in 2025 Sundance Film festival. It is currently seeking distribution in the United States.
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