Arranged Marriage - clip from the film Outsourced

Описание: This is a clip from the 2006 film 'Outsourced'. While not surprising that the issue of arranged marriage was discussed in the movie, i do find it remarkable that it was a woman taking the role.

A few things to point out in this 1:11 minute dialogue:

'I'll Learn to Love him'

First comes marriage then comes love, or so the theory goes. However, in many Indian arranged marriages, the love never manifests. When families are shopping for a potential mate astrological charts are compared in an effort to find the most suitable match. If the stars line up favorably (along with other factors) an astrologically auspicious wedding date is set. A womans worth as a wife and daughter-in-law is oftentimes related to the amount of material wealth she brings into the marriage, followed by her bearing male heirs.

'What about the Right to Choose for Yourself?'

Choosing ones own marriage partner is rarely given or taken in India. It is felt that ones parents know best, but there are deeper factors at play economic, social (casteism), political. Many are promised to another family in marriage as children (as is portrayed here, at the age of four). And as consumerism grows in modernizing India, a sizeable dowry is a must. Cash, cars, homes, gold, appliances...

'I just cant believe that someone as strong, and smart as opinioned as you would settle for arranged marriage.'

The character in the film is strong, smart and opinionated, but she is still under the control of her culture and family. Ive had this discussion with many men and women in India. The majority truly believe that the person they are fated to spend their life with is best left to their familys discretion.

'Some people would say Americas fifty percent Divorce rate is Crazy'

There is a myth that arranged marriages are so successful that divorce is virtually non-existent in India. In fact, it is a phenomenon that is growing, especially in the cities. However, considering that adults are not allowed free choice in marrying, how would they be allowed to divorce?

'Will you Tell Ashok about Us?'

I purposefully cut the dialogue at that question because it was a naïve one. Anyone with a cursory knowledge of India and more importantly, Indian women, would know the answer to that. For an Indian woman to tell her betrothed that she had an illicit affair with another man would most likely prove disastrous of even dangerous. Women are fully expected to come into the marriage virginally pure.