Montreal, Canada, Sep 6, 2004 / 22:00 pm
A love story, wrought with the tensions of politics, religion and cultural difference, won four prizes at this year’s Montreal World Films Festival, including the top prize and the Ecumenical Prize.
The Syrian Bride (Hacala Hasurit) by Israeli director Eran Riklis is the story of Mona, a Druze Palestinian, who crosses into Syria from Israel to marry a television star and who is forbidden from returning to her village.
Set in the Golan Heights, the film treats justice issues and shows the courageous choices that people must choose to make to overcome the barriers that separate families and peoples.
The co-production between Israel, France and Germany was awarded the festival’s top prize, the Grand Prix of the Americas, and the Fipresci Prize. Moviegoers were also smitten by The Syrian Bride, which took in the Air Canada People's Choice Award as the most popular film according to public ballot.
The 28th annual film festival wrapped up Sept. 6.