Serial (Bad) Weddings

Today I would like to recommend to all of you a French movie “Qu’est-ce qu’on a fait au Bon Dieu?” directed by Philippe de Chauveron and released in English-speaking countries under the title “Serial (Bad) Weddings”.

I study French but actually, I am not a big fan of French humor. But this movie assures good fun out of prejudgments and shows that in a way we are all racists, black, yellow, white, catholic or Jewish. There are a few funny moments, especially some, let's say, "politically incorrect" dialogues, where characters reveal that they believe in the stereotypes about each other. But the message is clear - we’re all basically the same, in spite of our ethnic and cultural differences.

The story has of course a happy ending, but you will be amused afterward. Generally speaking, it tells the story of a family in which the 4 daughters marry an Arab, a Jew, a Chinese, while youngest plans to marry a black guy. This last marriage is too much for the parents who had hoped for a "descent, white, catholic" guy.

To be honest, this movie is not on my “top list” and will never be a classic but it is quite fun. I have no doubt that the plot reflects a changing French reality, and it’s interesting to see a movie that took a more realistic look at mixed ethnic families in Europe.

However, this popular French comedy is inaccessible for UK and US audiences and has been rejected by film distributors who deem it politically incorrect and possibly racist. According to the production company behind it, English-speaking audiences "would never allow themselves these days to laugh at blacks, Jews or Asians." In my opinion, it’s too exaggerated because it’s all about a comedy whose purpose is to satirize and to make fun of situations and people.

And what is your opinion about it? Do the comedies about cultural differences or other races should be banned?