Role of Women in Le Grand Voyage

¶ … Role of Women in Le Grand Voyage

There is distinct disconnection between women of the traditional Muslim variation and that of the foreign or modern, present-day female. Throughout Ismael Ferroukhi's film Le Grand Voyage (2004), numerous women are portrayed in a few different ways: that of the old, respectable matron; that of the traditional Muslim-Arabic lifestyle; and that of the modern, present-day woman. All three can be related to the aspect of religion and age, which seems to be a pattern amongst the women. The greater the religion, the greater the tradition, and the more at ease the women are at following their patriarchs.

The movie's first showcase of women is at Reda's home, where Reda's mother and his sister are dressed differently: Reda's mother is completely covered from head to toe, while his sister is dressed casually in modern attire. The mother's role seems plain enough; she is the caregiver, the one who gives a semblance of advice, and the kind and gentle presence of the patriarchal family. Reda's father, however, has the final word in the home. After having found out that he has to accompany his father to the pilgrimage in Mecca, Reda appeals to his mother, pleading to her that he is at an important crossroads when it comes to his studies. The mother, however, remains silent; she was the docile, non-argumentative wife.

The audience sees this type of fully-covered, docile woman throughout the film, usually at the beck and call of their men. Their purpose in the film, it seems, is to serve, or to give way to the men before them. For example, on their way to Damascus, Reda and his father stop at a nearby well in order to replenish their water supply. A group of women are standing around the well, taking turns with obtaining water. When Reda reaches the well, the women part and allow him the privilege. Likewise, once Reda finishes washing at the well, his father also approaches and takes his turn, greeting the women as though this was the natural order of things.

There are two other types of women that seem to break away from this typical depiction of women. Reda and his father meet two matronly women at different parts of the journey: the first on their way to Belgrade, and the second at the well stop toward Damascus. Both times it is Reda's father who feels the need to show respect to these women. The father agrees to let the foreign woman in the car and Reda drives her to as far as a hotel, where both men leave her to fend for herself. In a touching moment, Reda's father utters "May God help her" after they rush away from the woman (Ferroukhi). In the same thread, Reda's father gives away portions of his money to a woman and her child en route to Damascus, which angers Reda. While these women are expected to step down the line and let men ahead, there is still a degree of respect that men give to the older women.