By Travis Johnson
The son of a Muslim cleric, Ali (Osamah Sami) was supposed to a doctor, but his pitiful test scores pretty much rule out that career path. However, he can’t tell his family that, and so a white lie begins that soon spirals out of control. Out eponymous hero has other issues, too – mainly trying to woo Dianne (Helana Sawires), a girl he meets at his father’s mosque, even though he’s accidentally agreed to an arranged marriage with another girl. Can the path of true love run smooth?
Co-writer and star Osamah Sami apparently based the story on his own life, but was canny enough to rope in Hacksaw Ridge scribe Andrew Knight and Dance Academy director Jeffrey Walker to help him bring it to the screen. That’s an impressive pedigree, and promises something a cut above the usual culture clash cliches.
Ali’s Wedding screens at the Sydney Film Festival from June 8 – 10. For tickets, hit up the official site.
