I would like to start my analysis by introducing a little bit the movie background and how it was filmed. Almost all members of royal family of Jordan are Arabs related to the Hashemite dynasty, who consider themselves to be direct descendants of Prophet Muhammad. The exception is Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein which is maternal Circassians. Sometime ago he came up with the idea to make a film about the Circassians living in Jordan. Choosing the director for the movie, Prince did not hesitate for too long. He called Mohy Quandour, who was living in London, known as many-sided man. Quandour is a musician, a scientist, a writer, a composer, and a musical director. As a film director, he has worked for many years in Hollywood, filming movies and documentaries. So prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein decided that Quandour is the only Jordanian who has a cinematic experience, and they wanted to make a film that would meet international standards. Quandour agreed with one condition that the movie theme he would choose independently. The director wanted to show the arrival of the Circassians in Jordan and how they built relationships with the Arabs, as well as the diverse cultures found common ground and learn to get along together (Franklin, "Cherkess Kick Starts Jordanian Film Industry").
I have chosen this film for analysis for several reasons. Firstly, I was interested in the historical basis of the film. The real historical events make the film content more serious and plausible rather than completely fictional story. Secondly, this story is very little known. I am sure that very few modern worldwide people know about the resettlement of the Circassians in Jordan. It is a little known fact that took place, and about which it would be interesting to learn more, as well as about the Circassians. In the third place, I liked the fact that the director is Circassian descent, and I was sure that he would be able to tell the true and interesting story of his nation, and he has something to say to the audience.
The film describes the time when the first Circassians arrived in Jordan in 1876. The next major wave of their emigration began at the very end of the 19th century. The plot of the film "Cherkess" is as follows: One of the immigrants who came from the Caucasus - a young man Nart – is preparing to manage the Circassian community. He is taught by Shapsugs Elder Timur who takes with him on trips and the meetings with Bedouins. In between the political issues Nart fell in love with the daughter of one of the sheikhs, named Hind. Nart does not know Arabic, so during the rendezvous the young people can communicate only with gestures. When Hind`s brother Aziz discovers about the affair, he begins to provoke conflicts between the Circassians and the local tribes. The relationship of young people provokes constant comparisons of the two cultures. Universal human values are submitted to the general review, Elders search for common elements that bring the two cultures closer for peaceful and productive partnerships, which later will build up foundation of the modern Jordan society.
The film had a very big impact on the Jordan cinema. This country cannot boast a strong heritage and experience in movie production, but this film has made a resonance around the world. The director was invited to the Cannes Film Festival, but he was unable to take part in it because they do not have time to finish the film. He was also invited to a film festival in Monaco, the Berlin Film Festival, festivals in Turkey and Dubai, and the festival of European independent cinema in Paris. He was going to visit Malaysia, Philippines, Japan, and China. For the director it was very important that the film travelled around the world, bringing his ideas to the people of other cultures. The picture was shown in Jordan for mass audience, and it is noteworthy that the "Circassian" went along with "Avatar" and overtook him in term of cinema attendance. Instead of the two weeks the “Circassian” was distributed for five weeks. The subtitles were made in Spanish and English, Turkish, Russian. I think that such an interest of the Western distributors and the audience has arisen because no one knew before who the Circassians were. None has heard of them. And suddenly the film has appeared made according to all international standards. Circassians should be inspired by this fact. A high-quality film in Circassian language was broadcast worldwide.
This film can be described as historical drama because the action takes place in the late 19th century and tells the story of how the Circassians fled to the territory of the Ottoman Empire. These people settled there and built up a new life. The main topics raised in the course of the film are, of course, the fate of immigrants: how hard they have to live in exile and what issues they have to deal with. This can be seen even at the very beginning of the movie, when one of the men traveling by train was looking out the window at the desert that extends outside the car and crying, thinking of the verdant and fertile homeland. Another main theme mentioned in the film - it is the tradition of the people, and that is even more important – differences in these traditions. The viewer sees very clearly that sometimes these differences can provoke a very bloody conflict. It is only when the couple of young lovers hint to her parents that they would like to engage themselves with the representatives of other nationalities. This is already causing a storm of indignation and incomprehension on the part of parents. In this case, the Bedouin family is similar to the Circassian one. When Nart kidnaps his bride, and families are faced with it, parents still cannot accept the choices of their children because they are strongly tied to the traditions of their nations. Such behavior is unthinkable for the elder generation. They do not want to even hear about the marriage for love, not for tradition. The violation of these traditions they perceived as a personal insult and a disgrace to the family. It is also common for both Arabs and Circassians. For example, Nart`s mother cries when she finds out that her son chose not a Circassian girl as a wife, but the Bedouin one. I have also noticed that the two nations are blind to the traditions of others. At first Bedouin sheikh does not even want to hear the story of the young Circassian Nart who kidnapped the bride according to the Circassian traditions. Sheikh says that this tradition is very strange and he will never admit it. Similarly, the Circassians are shocked by the fact that the Bedouins marry their cousins. This is wildly for them.
Also, I would have said that the film raises the theme of understanding between parents and children, relationships elder to younger and vice versa. Respect for elders is a common distinctive feature of both nations, the Arabs and Circassians as well. We see that in both communities elder men hold the meeting and discuss what they should do in a given situation. It is normally perceived by young people. All of them are brought up with the understanding that it is necessary to respect and listen to the elders and ask them for advice. So we see, that when Elders find out that Nart kidnapped the bride, they wonder why he did not come to them before. The decision about the wedding is also made by the council of elders. Also, we see that the young people help elders and it is always stressed in during the film (the scene on the train).
A separate topic in the film is connected to the position of women in different communities and among different nationalities. We see that the Circassian women are on the one hand much freer because no one hides them in the houses, they can communicate with men to a large extent freely. Quite a different picture the viewer watches in the episodes involving the Bedouin tribe. Despite the fact that Sheikh seems to be talking to his daughter in very warm way, saying that he is ready to satisfy any of the wish, says that it is the greatest joy of it, but when the issue concerns a violation of traditions, he completely changes his opinion. When his son Aziz says that Hind secretly meets Circassian man Sheikh becomes furious. He is very sharp with his daughter, and his wife. He is convinced that his daughter dishonors him by her behavior. His son Aziz took the same position, and even more aggressive. He constantly threatens his sister saying she dishonors the family and that she has no right to meet with foreign men. Women themselves are very afraid of their fathers, husbands and brothers. This can be seen both in case with the Hind`s mother who is trying to make daughter understand that she should not go against tradition and the will of the father, as well as Hind`s female friend. Even before the middle of the film there is an episode when Hind asks her friend to walk with her in the valley in order to meet with her lover. A friend is afraid; because she knows what they are doing is contrary to tradition. Arab women cannot meet with the men at their own wish, and even more with foreigners. Also, there is an episode when, after a conversation with his father and brother, Hind cries and complains to her friend that they (women) cannot choose her husband, and how it is unfair. This is true in the Arab world; this tradition remains true to modern days. And, perhaps, this is one of those traditions that seem the most incomprehensible to Westerners. And this prohibition is so severe that a woman cannot even sit at the table with the men or to interfere in their meetings or conversations. Also it emphasizes that if a woman has a sexual relationship with a man, this equates to an indelible shame. Hind repeatedly go through questioning by brother and father if she had anything with Circassian man. I suppose that if her answer was affirmative, it would result death penalty.
The film describes also some of the socio-political problems. First of all, it is a conflict over the land between the Circassians and Bedouins. It begins to emerge from the very beginning of the film. As the viewer sees the story begins with the Circassian refugees arrived in the territory of the Ottoman Empire in the hope to build up a new life. All of them are farmers. They need land and water to seed and grow the harvest. And the water is a resource, which is not enough in the new earth. Ottoman governor orders to lodge new refugees near the springs that have been under the control of the Bedouins, who are not very excited about the new neighbors. The conflict inflames on this basis and results in a series of meetings, disputes, and later it results to a crime. Initially, the Bedouins burned the Circassians` harvest, and Circassians then revenge and set fire to one of the Bedouin tents. And often, this rage and anger are very blind. Aziz, the son of a Bedouin sheik, is one of the main antagonists in the film. He is a very avoidant person, blindly following the traditions. On the one hand, this is good, he really keeps the traditions of his people, but sometimes it results in the fact that he is not ready for dialogue and understanding, furthermore he is quick-tempered, and almost immediately turns violent. He does not understand that the cooperation between different people and communities give the benefits for each of them. He believes that the Circassians are evil and have come in order to take control of springs and occupy the land, but he forgets about the fact that his tribe has exchanged goods with the Circassians and it was mutually beneficial cooperation. I really liked that in the end of the film sheikh tells his son that Aziz needs to open his mind and heart to other people, and this is true. The man really needs to be open to the new and to try to understand other people. We do not have to judge only in terms of our own traditions.
However, despite the conflict occurred, Arabs are shown to be very hospitable and generous people. This is one of the most memorable moments, which are shown in the film. This is evident in many scenes. In the beginning, when Circassians Timur and Nart come to visit Bedouins, sheikh`s wife says that he is not home, but invites guests to wait. They were welcomed as guests, serving drinks. Sheikh further invites them to stay for dinner, ordered to slaughter a sheep for guests. Also, at the meeting, sheikh demonstrates a horse to guests, offers a ride it and then eventually present the horse as gift to Nart, struck by his rider`s skills. It describes sheikh as a truly hospitable and generous man. He does not spare anything for the guests. It is also seen in the case when he learns that his son is guilty of setting fire to the Circassians` harvest. He sends them a flock of sheep and gold to compensate their loss. And Circassians notice that sheik gave much more than they had lost. This demonstrates that Arabs as well as are righteous people who are ready to be responsible for their actions.
The most basic idea of the film, in my opinion, is that the director decided to tell and show everyone once again that any conflict between the cultures, traditions and civilizations can only be resolved through the dialogue. The entire film is permeated with the idea that in order to understand another person, you should try to understand his traditions, not to judge, not to be deaf to other`s opinions, but consider them and accept their point of views. I have revised several times the moment when the Bedouin sheik enters the house of elders with a view to take the kidnapped daughter back and end with the thief insulted their tradition. It shows perfectly how this intense dialogue leads to understanding each other and smooth militant conflict sides. In this regard, I would like to emphasize that one of the main roles that was in the movie, is played by Circassian Elder Timur. I really liked this character. It seems to me that he is the conductor of the idea that the director wanted to say. Firstly, he is very calm, thoughtful and open-minded person. From the very first scenes, we see that he is very patient, polite and sympathetic to the traditions of other nations. He tries to learn them, and act respectfully. For example, at the first meeting with sheikhs in their tent, he tells and shows Nart, who recently came to the Ottoman Empire, about the traditions of the Bedouins. He discusses how a person has to behave in the house of Bedouins, what to do if you do not want to drink more, as well as the rules of eating. Timur does it all very calmly and with understanding. I am sure that he achieved such good relations with the Bedouins thanks to this approach, as even the Ottoman governor knows it. The same thing happens in a situation where the Bedouins burned property of the Circassians. He goes to the sheik, not with threats, not with weapons, but with kindness. He explains the situation and stressed that does not want bloodshed and wants to solve all peacefully, and underlines the fact that he looks forward to the wisdom and justice of sheik. Once again his sincere approach and understanding of other people can be seen in the scene when Circassians decide what to do with the young lovers. Timur is going to go to the sheik to in order to explain the situation, and he rejects the suggestion of his countrymen to take up arms or companions. He says that it is disrespectful to the Bedouins, and he demonstrates his knowledge of their traditions, saying that the Bedouins never attack an unarmed man. Then again during a long intense dialogue with the sheik, Timur repeatedly stresses the importance of traditions, both Arab and Circassian. This character is truly a talented negotiator and a wise man. I think he says everything kind of on behalf of the director.
There are a few things that I did not like in the movie. In particular, I did not really like a love story. It seems to me very trivial plot device which has often been exploited and the love story of two young people from different ethnic groups seems a little weak, but on the other hand, I think the director chose this way because it is a very strong catalyst for all issues that I have described above. Love relationship between two people from different worlds allows showing many of the traditions and characteristics of these different communities. Also, perhaps, it seems to me that the film shows more the life of the Arabs, rather than the Circassians` life. As mentioned above, in many respects the conflict is based on the love affair between two young people, but the life and work of the people who just arrived at the new place has been shown few. This new place has very capricious nature. There was a casual mention of soil problems, how difficult is to grow food, and that the area is very strange, but it is not very detailed. I think that the director should give much more time to this topic. However, I really liked the fact that the culture and life of the Circassians and Bedouins are shown quite truthfully. All the characters are dressed in national costumes, both men and women. We see the furniture in their homes, we see how they eat and drink (for example, the fact that the Arabs do not use plates and spoons or forks, and eat with hands). There is a scene of a horse ride when the rider (Nart) shows his skills which are inherent for many Circassian men. Circassian dances are shown several times, as well as the wedding traditions (when mother of fiance give a present to the bride).
Once again I would like to emphasize that I think that thoughts of the director are shown clearly in the movie. All the people around the world are different. Everyone has different traditions, cultures, civilizations, but we are first and foremost people who should be respected not only our own traditions, but also others.
Work cited
Cherkess. Dir. Mohy Quandour. 2010. Web. 1 May 2016.
Franklin, Anna. "Cherkess Kick Starts Jordanian Film Industry." FilmNewEurope.com. 05 Dec. 2010. Web. 30 Apr. 2016.
