As if set in a bygone historical era, the world depicted in this film is one of a clan that is governed by fiat of a tyrannical community leader and a system of arranged marriages that will ensure continuity of the tribe. Everything is about preserving the kumpania.
The feisty Sonia Jasaraska, who is about to reach her eighteenth birthday, is having none of the Romani tradition of arranged marriages. Sonia is being forced to marry Alex Raeesi, the son of the community patriarch Ian. She has already met and fallen in love with a nice gorger named Ray Fine. When Sonia rebels and attempts to run away, she is kidnapped and held prisoner in the Raeesi home.
Despite the wildly melodramatic narrative, the film offered an insightful consideration of marriage, family, duty, and free will. The cast was superb with each character extremely credible.
One of the saddest characters was young Ella, who has been raised in the Raeesi home. She is uneducated and illiterate, working as a charwoman. One of the most moving scenes was when Sonia told Ella the story of a princess held captive in a castle and the unlimited possibilities for her after a daring escape.
The film could have been a run-of-the-mill kidnapping and "held against her will" film. Although it did not present a very flattering portrait of the Romani, it was nonetheless was a well-conceived story. In the broader context, it was a moving testimony to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
I Do, or Die - A Killer Arrangement
2020
Drama / Thriller
I Do, or Die - A Killer Arrangement
2020
Drama / Thriller
Plot summary
High school senior Sonya (Ana Golja) is ready to graduate and start college away from her traditional Romani parents, George (Raoul Bhaneja) and Morgan (Rachel Wilson). Fearing Sonya is straying too far from the Romani way of life, George and Morgan are eager to find a husband for her. When George and Morgan's community leader, Ian (Noam Jenkins) suggests Sonya marry his son, Alex (Ehren Kassum),George and Morgan decide to share the news of Sonya's arranged marriage at her 18th birthday party. But their plan quickly backfires when Sonya brings her non-Romani boyfriend, Ray (Eric Osborne),and refuses to marry Alex. Unwilling to be embarrassed by their rebellious daughter, George and Morgan drag Sonya home and lock her in the basement. But when Sonya manages to escape, Ian kidnaps Sonya and holds her hostage until she agrees to marry Alex. Realizing her only hope of survival is to pretend to agree to the arranged marriage, Sonya calls her parents to tell them she will marry Alex. But when Ray finds out, he races to Ian's house to save Sonya before she sacrifices the life she wants forever.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
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The Kumpania
A Combination of Factors Made This Topical Movie worth Watching
I found this movie to be quite entertaining and well written. It tackles the family struggles within the age old custom of arranged engagements/marriages and the actors were more than capable of delivering the dialogue without it being too emotionally draining for such a sensitive topic.
I've also got to congratulate the Director and Producers for the way they set out, capturing the essence of the threat of losing love for the preservation of culture and prestige within community standing.
And just finally on a superficial note, I thought the actors were quite appealing in their looks without being too distracting from the theme of the movie.
I Do or Die of boredom
I found this movie very slow even though the movie had a 20 minute delay on starting, I could not find any positives at all, so that is why it rated a 1 from me. I actually watched Supergirl before switching back to this film, it was far more interesting and exciting.