Arranged
Arranged is an enlightening film that takes
its viewers into the lives of an Orthodox Jewish woman named Rochel and a
Muslim woman named Nasira. It illustrates that there are many stereotypes
against both religions, but that they are not so different after all. The two
religions may have differences, but both hold many similarities and are able
exist in harmony.
Rochel and
Nasira began their friendship when they worked in the same classroom. One of
the children in the classroom asked Nasira why she and Rochel talked to one
another, “I thought Muslims and Jews couldn’t be friends”. The women worked together
to break the stereotypes against them, and ended up becoming friends. They were
both going through their processes of arranged marriages at the time, which is
something that they bonded over. Rochel went several dates that were arranged
by a professional. All of the men she went on dates with she found to be unbearable.
Nasira deceived Rochel’s date arranger by creating and giving her the file of a
man Rochel had taken a liking to. Rochel did not know about this and had no
hope of ever marring the man because of the strict orthodox dating system. The
arranger put them on a date together, and the couple hit it off immediately. Nasira
went through similar problems with her arranged marriage process. Her father
had wanted her to marry a son of his good friend. When Nasira met the marriage
prospect she was disgusted and wanted nothing to do with him. She pleaded to her father to not make her
marry him. The father replied that he only wants what is best for her, and she
does not have to marry the man. Nasira soon met a different man, and it was
love at first sight. The new man came to her home and asked her father for his
permission to marry Nasira. Nasira and Rochel went through different processes
of arranged marriages, both of which had happy endings. This illustrates that
some religions processes may seem harsh and wrong to people not familiar with
them, but that they are not always that way. They can be the beneficial and a
worthy path for many people.
Observing
the different clothing the religions wore was one of the most interesting parts
of the film to me. The Muslim women wore head coverings and modest clothing
styles, called Hijab. The men wore turbans. The Jewish women also dressed very
modestly. They dress this way in accordance to the commandments of their
religions.
Rochel and Nasira had to face many
prejudices and difficulties in the secular world they lived in. It was eye
opening and informative to see how their religion meshes with secular society. Watching
this film has helped me gain a better understanding of what my Sikh friend goes
through, as she practices a minority religion here in Eugene. Arranged was an inspirational film that
may have helped the world become a less stereotyped place. I enjoyed watching
it and would recommend it to others.
