Chiltern Film Society - March 2020
Congratulations on your Wedding!
There’s nothing like a wedding to bring out the romantic side in people. Add in the traditional pre-ceremony stress - the organisation of the event, people getting together from across the globe, emotions running high… it is a recipe for either drama or high comedy, or both!
On Wednesday 18th March, at The Elgiva, we present the French/Palestinian film Wajib - subtitled The Wedding Invitation. A father and his estranged son must hand-deliver his daughter’s wedding invitations as per local custom. The Guardian reviewed it is as ‘a jokey jaunt through Nazareth’, as the two men learn to like each other once again.
Films set around marriage have never gone out of fashion. If you’re into songs, for instance, how about Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Mamma Mia! The Movie? These have a wedding as part of the story - not just a happy ending where the two lovers agree to tie the knot...
The earliest wedding film is probably Buster Keaton’s Seven Chances from 1925 - in which he must marry by 7pm that day in order to inherit a fortune. He advertises, hundreds turn up and this leads to an unforgettable climax!
For me, the most memorable opening lines of any movie (full of rude words) is the starting segment of Four Weddings and a Funeral. Here are a few more wedding films: The Runaway Bride, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Bridesmaids, The Hangover, Muriel’s Wedding, Father of the Bride, The Wedding Singer, The Princess Diaries, The Philadelphia Story etc. etc. etc.
From a writer’s perspective, weddings happen to everyone, no matter whether you’re rich or poor, royalty or a peasant. These worlds then collide beautifully when Shrek comes to mind! So, when the next wedding invitation arrives, go along for the experience - you never know, it could be the inspiration for a film script…
Whatever you do this month, enjoy your films!
Paul Vates – CFS Chairman.
