Not So Wedded to Tradition: 'Ali's Wedding', the 'Ethnic Rom-com' and Realistic Representation

Cinematic depictions of culturally and linguistically diverse communities are ridden with clichés, stereotypes and cultural cringe, but can films made by ethnic minorities themselves defy these tendencies? And why is it so important to cultivate more and better artistic representations of multiculturalism? To answer these questions, Sheree Joseph examines the portrayals and politics of acclaimed film Ali's Wedding with reference to Australian 'ethnic rom-com' counterparts Alex & Eve and UnIndian.

Additional keywords:
Arab, Lebanese, Indian, Muslim, Orthodox Christian, migrant, diaspora, multiculturalism, Jeffrey Walker, Peter Andrikidis, Anupam Sharma, Looking for Alibrandi, My Big Fat Greek Wedding.