The film Caramel (2007) is a story about five Lebanese women who have their personal problems. One of the females is under great pressure as she is about to get married but she has premarital sexual experience (Labaki, 2007). She is going to marry a Muslim man who expects her to be a virgin.
The young woman decides to undergo an operation restoring virginity. This story is an illustration of a lasting debate on the issue of whether this kind of operation can exist in the Muslim world.
Al Jandaly (2007) reports that restoring virginity is banned in the UAE as in any other Muslim country. Nonetheless, this does not make the operation less popular among young females who fail to follow the conventions but are unable to confront it. The article does not contain women’s reasons for undergoing the operation.
Interestingly, comments on the article show that virginity is one of the most important aspects of rightful womanhood (Al Jandaly, 2007). People (predominantly men) note that in Muslim culture women are supposed to be virgins before they marry as this is a symbol of their rightfulness. Hence, Muslim women have to be pure in their thoughts and actions as well as they should not sin or try to hide the consequences of their sins.
Nisrine’s story can be regarded as an illustration of the reasons why girls decide to undergo the operation. In the film, this young woman appears as quite a modern Lebanese girl who has her life. She does not look like lots of Muslim women who have to hide their faces and bodies and who cannot go out without a relative or husband.
Nisrine is quite free and she felt free to enter premarital sexual relationship though this freedom is not complete. The girl is not ready to reveal her secret. She wants to marry the man but she is afraid as the man will not understand her past behavior. Thus, the girl decides to hide her past and enter a new life which is acceptable for the world she lives in.
Nisrine as lots of other Lebanese (and Muslim) women is quite emancipated to think she is free to do what she wants. However, these women do not have the courage to reveal their choice as this is often dangerous for their reputation as well as life. If they have an opportunity to hide their bold actions, they do it as they are not emancipated enough to confront society.
Admittedly, the question is highly disputable as it is closely connected with traditions and religious practices. For a vast majority of western people, it is natural that a woman can decide by herself whether she wants to enter a sexual relationship before her marriage. Though, a lot of people still tend to think that virginity is quite important, and they believe it is better to have only one sexual partner during one’s life.
When it comes to the Muslim world, premarital sexual relationship is out of the question, and people can condemn a girl forever. The stigma will affect the girl’s whole life. Both viewpoints have the right to exist as the truth is out of people’s reach. The question which remains is whether a person can accept the rules of the society he/she lives in, or he/she has to leave society for good or be strictly punished.
On balance, it is necessary to note that the film in question sheds light on a very important issue. Moreover, the filmmakers try to depict the real life of a real girl. They also make people think about whether they are ready to keep living in a hypocritical world or they can face the changes which are happening in the world.
Reference List
Al Jandaly, B. (2007). Clinics restoring virginity controversial.Gulfnews.
Labaki, N. (Director). (2007). Caramel. Lebanon: Sunnyland Films.