Serenades  (2000)

Theatrical Release Information:
Serenades

Director Mojgan Khadem's exotic drama draws on research conducted by Christine Stevens to tell the tale of Jalil - the daughter of an Aboriginal Australian and an Afghan cameleer. As a young girl living in Australia, Jalil was raised as an Aborigine by her grandfather. Later, Jalil's childhood beliefs begin to clash with her education during her time at a Lutheran mission run by Pastor Hoffman (David Gulpilil). Pastor Hoffman's son Johan is five years older than Jalil, and it doesn't take long for love to blossom between this unlikely couple. Eventually, Jalil's grandparents die and she is placed in the custody of her father and his new family. Now forced to abide by the rules of a Moslem household, the drifting Jalil is informed by her father that she will marry a man of his choosing. But Jalil's father had never been there for her in the past, and now she is determined to break free of the arranged marriage so that she and Johan can live happily ever after. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide