An entertaining and educational comedy of romance and culture, Ali’s Wedding offers an intimate insight into Australia’s Muslim community through one man’s romantic misadventures.

Australia prides itself as a multi-cultural and multi-faith nation, yet its film industry rarely reflects that fact. The reason is simple: while many in the industry are willing to tackle issues focusing on indigenous, queer, and secular Anglo issues, there is simply not enough motivation in presenting stories on its religious communities. Even the Christian community that represents over half of the population rarely gets a showing, save for films based on Church scandals.

Ali’s Wedding is a welcome change to the norm. Much like last years entertaining Alex and Eve, this is a film that deals with a love story within the Muslim community. Yet unlike that film, Ali’s Wedding comes from a uniquely Muslim voice in the form of star and co-writer Osamah Sami, whose biography “Good Muslim Boy” is the basis for the film.

Sami stars as Ali, an Iraqi born son of a popular Muslim cleric (Don Hany), with a strong sense of duty to his father and community. When Ali lies about the results of a medical examination that can determine his imposed upon destiny to be a great doctor, his life spirals into a tornado of false fronts and empty promises within a community where trust, tradition and reputation reign supreme. His only solace is in his love for Australian born Lebanese girl Dianne (Helana Sawires), a match which his family frowns upon.

What’s incredibly interesting about Ali’s Wedding is its insight into the workings of a community, that is both self-segregated from the public and (at times) demonised by certain sections of the media. For many of us unfamiliar with Muslim communities in Australia, Ali’s Wedding provides a unique opportunity for exploration into the religious beliefs, customs and pressures within that community. It also affirms deeply held concerns. Scenes depicting women segregated in places of worship and an arranged marriage storyline raises eyebrows, no matter the tone of the film.    

Ali proves to be a warm and personable guide through this world. For many of us first generation and immigrant Australian’s, Ali is also very relatable in his struggle to balance the traditional customs of his home country and the cultural expectations and lures of his new. Another strong element of the film is the chemistry between Sari and Helena Sawires, who plays his love interest and unwilling participant in scandal. Great turns also feature from Don Hany and Frances Duca as Ali’s parents.

The director of Ali’s Wedding is Jeffrey Walker, a veteran of Australian TV. Along with screenwriter Andrew Knight (Hacksaw Ridge), they provide a welcoming and accessible stage for Sari to present his story in a charming and affectionate way. They also provide an opportunity to enter a world long segregated, warts and all, to the benefit of all who watch.