Villa Touma

At 18 years old, Badia Touma can no longer reside in the orphanage where she spent her childhood. Instead, she is off to live in a villa in Ramallah with her three reclusive aunts, Juliette, Violette, and Antoinette. Devout Christians, the three women have always disapproved of Badia, whose deceased mother was Muslim. With hopes of ridding themselves of Badia as soon as possible, the aunts set out to find their niece a husband. Abiding by old-fashioned ideas of courtship and aristocracy, they insist Badia learn to speak French, take piano lessons, and practice proper etiquette. Then they parade her around at just about any Christian function, from weddings to tea parties to funerals. Yet love isn’t easy to come by in their small social circle—as the three jilted aunts know firsthand—and Badia seems destined to relive the misfortunes of her elders. Oppressive social, religious, and political tensions converge in Suha Arraf’s absorbing family drama VILLA TOUMA. (In Arabic with subtitles) – E.B.