''Arranged'' is a 2007 American independent film produced by Cicala Filmworks, directed by Diane Crespo and

Stefan Schaefer Stefan Schaefer is an American writer, director and producer of films and television. Biography Early life and education Schaefer was born in Boston, spent his childhood in Sussex, England and his adolescent years in Michigan and New York. He s ...

, and starring

Zoe Lister-Jones Zoe Lister-Jones (born September 1, 1982) is an American actress, and filmmaker who co-starred as Jen Collins Short in the CBS sitcom ''Life in Pieces'' from 2015 to 2019. She is also known for her roles in the television shows ''Delocated'' (20 ...

and Francis Benhamou. It tells the story of the friendship between an

Orthodox Jewish Orthodox Judaism is the collective term for the traditionalist and theologically conservative branches of contemporary Judaism. Theologically, it is chiefly defined by regarding the Torah, both Written and Oral, as revealed by God to Moses on M ...

woman (Rochel) and a Muslim woman (Nasira), both of whom are teachers in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...

Plot

Rochel (who is an

Orthodox Jew Orthodox Judaism is the collective term for the traditionalist and theologically conservative branches of contemporary Judaism. Theologically, it is chiefly defined by regarding the Torah, both Written and Oral, as revealed by God to Moses on ...

) and Nasira (who is a Muslim originally from Syria) are young women who are just beginning as teachers in New York's public school system. As Rochel is a teacher for the

visually impaired Visual impairment, also known as vision impairment, is a medical definition primarily measured based on an individual's better eye visual acuity; in the absence of treatment such as correctable eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment� ...

, she meets Nasira (who teaches the fourth grade) as the aid for Eddie (one of Nasira's students). They bond while working together on Eddie's assignments, realizing that they share a lot in common. They also both fight against the stereotypes directed towards them, particularly from Principal Jacoby and Rochel's family. Both Nasira and Rochel are going through the process of an arranged marriage. Nasira is initially introduced to an older man (a friend of her father), whom she rejects. Her parents then introduce her to a young man her own age whom she likes. The system is different for Rochel, however, who is introduced to young men through the local

Shadchan The ''Shidduch'' ( he, שִׁדּוּךְ, pl. ''shidduchim'' , Aramaic ) is a system of matchmaking in which Jewish singles are introduced to one another in Orthodox Jewish communities for the purpose of marriage. The practice In the past and ...

. While Nasira's parents ultimately listened to her frustrations and interests, Rochel's Shadchan only introduces Rochel to young men who fit the Shadchan's set of expectations (while ignoring what Rochel wants). After a few disastrous introductions, Rochel announces that she is stopping the process. She then temporarily leaves home to discuss the matter with her cousin (who has left the Orthodox tradition). Ultimately, through an accidental meeting with friends of her brother (including an Orthodox Jewish young man), it is Nasira who helps Rochel find someone she likes. The film ends with Nasira and Rochel both married, sitting in the park with their babies in their strollers, talking about their husbands and married life.

Cast

as Rochel Meshenberg * Francis Benhamou as Nasira Khaldi * Mimi Lieber as Sheli Meshenberg *

John Rothman John Mahr Rothman (born June 3, 1949) is an American film, television, and stage actor. Life and career Rothman was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Elizabeth D. (née Davidson) and Donald N. Rothman, a lawyer. He is the brother of film ...

as Matan Meshenberg * Sarah Lord as Naomi Meshenberg * Trevor Braun as Avi Meshenberg *

Doris Belack Doris Belack (February 26, 1926 – October 4, 2011) was an American character actress of stage, film and television. Life and career Belack was born in 1926 in New York City, the younger daughter of Isaac and Bertha Belack, Jewish immigrants ...

as Elona *

Laith Nakli Laith Nakli (born December 1, 1969) is a British-Syrian-American actor and producer of Syrian descent best known for his role in the 2017 movie ''The Wall'' as the voice of the mythical sniper named Juba, the 2017 miniseries ''The Long Road Home ...

as Abdul-Halim Khaldi * Jason Liebman as Gideon *

Marcia Jean Kurtz Marcia Jean Kurtz is an American film, stage, and television actress and director. She has appeared in such films as ''The Panic in Needle Park'', '' In Her Shoes'', and '' Big Fan'', appearing as Miriam Douglas in ''Dog Day Afternoon'' and ''In ...

as Principal Jacoby * Peggy Gormley as Miriam * David Castro as Eddie *

Sanjit De Silva Sanjit De Silva (born 31 October 1976) is a Sri Lankan actor and director who is known for his roles in ''The Company Men'' and '' American Desi''. Early life De Silva was born in Colombo and graduated from New York University's Tisch School ...

as Jamil *

Daniel London Daniel London (born 1973) is an American actor, best known for his roles in ''Patch Adams'', ''Rent'' and '' Old Joy''. Life and career Born and raised in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, London began writing and acting in plays in high school. Whil ...

as Elliot *

Arian Moayed Arian Moayed ( fa, آرین مؤید, born April 15, 1980) is an Iranian-American actor, writer, and director. Moayed received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in ''Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo'' a ...

as Ahmed Khaldi * Alysia Reiner as Leah

Release

Accolades

''Arranged'' was the winner of Best Feature Film at the Brooklyn Film Festival and won the Audience Award at the Washington Jewish Film Festival.

Reception

References

External links

Official Website
* * 2007 films 2007 drama films American drama films American independent films 2000s Arabic-language films Arranged marriage in fiction 2000s English-language films Films set in Brooklyn Films about Orthodox and Hasidic Jews Films directed by Stefan Schaefer 2000s Hebrew-language films Islamic and Jewish interfaith dialogue 2007 independent films 2007 multilingual films American multilingual films 2000s American films {{indie-drama-film-stub