NEWROZ FILMS

DAVID & LAYLA

DAVID & LAYLA is unique by being Official Selections not only at regular film festivals but also at 'Conflict Resolution' and 'Human Rights', and at 'Romantic' and 'Amour' 'film festivals.

18 Official Selections, 4 Wins:

FLIFF 2006 - Spirit of Independents Award: Jay Jonroy, Writer/Producer/Director

FLIFF 2006 - Best Breakthrough Performance Award: Shiva Rose, Actress

World Fest- Best Romance Feature

Washington D.C. Independent- Outstanding Feature, World Cinema o

Persian American actress "Shiva Rose (Layla) excels as a self-reliant damsel in distress worth rooting for." VARIETY

Screenings times, dates, venues and ticket info either at fest sites below or at: Screenings

1. Lisa Nesselson, Paris/France Variety Film Critic

Posted: Jun. 28 & Jul 17th, and in print Weekly Variety Jul 24th 2006.
David And Layla
(U.S.-Iraq)

A Newroz Films presentation of a Films Intl. and Intrinsic Value Films production. (International sales: NewRoz Films, New York.) Produced by Jay Jonroy. Co-producers, Gill Holland, Aimee Schoof and Isen Robbins.

Directed, written by Jay Jonroy, inspired by a true story.

With: David Moscow, Shiva Rose, Callie Thorne, Peter Van Wagner, Polly Adams, Will Janowitz, Ed Chemaly, Anna George, Tibor Feldman.

By LISA NESSELSON

Written, produced and directed by Iraqi Kurdish exile Jay Jonroy and based on a true story, "David and Layla" is an earnest, frequently funny comedy about stateless persons and the looming clichés that make Muslims and Jews so wary of each other. Completely accessible and non-threatening tale of the unlikely romance between a quintessential Jewish New Yorker and a lovely Kurdish refugee… Painless intro to the customs and attitudes surrounding two of the world's great religions is a natural....

David Fine (David Moscow) hosts a man-in-the-street show on local TV in Brooklyn called "Sex and Happiness," but finds himself increasingly frustrated by his JAP fiancée Abby's (Callie Thorne) demands. Fearless wise guy David is drawn to mysterious looker Layla (Shiva Rose), a young woman whose immediate family and boyfriend were gassed by Saddam Hussein.

Layla has been taken in by prosperous relatives and illegally earns money as the slinky but never vulgar warm-up act for a traditional belly dancer; her aunt and uncle (Anna George, Ed Chemaly) think she's attending nursing school. U.S. immigration authorities give her 30 days to leave the country, but a sympathetic inspector tells Layla it'd be hard to deport her if she were married to an American citizen. Following mostly specious tips from his French cameraman, David courts smart, sharp Layla; against all odds, they fall for each other. Dreading their respective families' reactions, much subterfuge results via a sort of two-pronged "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" for the 21st century.

It's a lot quicker for David to convert to Islam than for Layla to qualify as a Jewess, however, and what transpires when one of the chosen people chooses to become a Muslim is pretty funny if hardly subtle.

Narrative is so ambitious it often feels overstuffed, but indie production boasts a brand of immigrant chutzpah that highlights the "anything is possible" side of the American Dream with energy to burn.

Production values are pleasing, varied score a plus.

Shiva Rose (Layla) excels as a self-reliant damsel in distress worth rooting for.

Camera (color), Harlan Bosmajian; editor, Egon Kirincic; music, Richard Horowitz, John Lissauer; production designer, Peter Yesair; costume designer, Zulema Griffin; sound (Dolby), Daniel Johnson; assistant director, Michael A. Moffa; second unit director, Joseph Aspromonti; casting, Adrienne Stern. Reviewed at Avignon Film Festival (competing), June 22, 2006. Running time: 105 MIN.

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2. Joe Baltake, U.S. Independent Film Critic:

"This new comedy about young loves and the large ethnic families (on both sides) that stand between them could have been just another My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but its originality and insight set it apart.

This outright charmer by Jay Jonroy has the potential of being a broad crowd-pleaser, along the lines of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Only David and Layla is a superior variation on that film, with unexpected insights and a tough shell that protects its big, mushy heart. It’s about families of the big, loud, colorful ethnic kind, and the brand of love and rage that coexist, almost too comfortably, within them. David Moscow, the former child actor that played the young Tom Hanks in Big, is all grown up now and stars as David, a nice Jewish guy with an involved but non-stereotypical mother (played by the indispensable Polly Adams), and a high-maintenance girlfriend (Indie fave Callie Thorne).

David appreciates tradition but he wants something different – which he finds in the person of Shiva Rose, playing an exotic Muslim refugee threatened with deportation. It’s love at first sight, but they have to move fast if Rose is going to stay in the country. The sitcom contours of this film are impressively balanced by the director’s rapid-fire pacing and sense of place (New York, presented here as a genuine polyglot culture), as well as the witty but realistic dialogue, and the accomplished performances. Adams is particularly impressive, and Rose (wife of actor Dylan McDermott) is at once sexy and sweet. This is an affectionate, likeable film that offers the rare gift of insight. (English, Kurdish with English subtitles.)

Film in Competition, reviewed at Philadelphia Film Festival 2006. More at:: Philadelphia Film Festival Presents : David & Layla

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3. Michael Henry Wilson, Los Angeles French film scholar, writer/director, and co-writer/director of “Martin Scoresese’s Personal Journey” book & film (Cannes 2000):

Shiva Rose as Layla gives the best performance in this surprisingly delightful and enlightening mixed-genre 'romance, comedy, drama.' Against the continuing wars in the complex Middle East, this is a timely comedy of a Jewish Muslim romance evidently inspired by a true story.

Shiva plays the innocent young Kurdish 'village princess.' A recent refugee in Brooklyn (New York), Layla is a war survivor. Millions of refugees uprooted from their homelands will identify with Layla's predicament trying to keep her culture while adjusting to a new life in the West.

Layla refuses to play a victim. Instead, with enchanting oriental femininity, she dances in a night club- secretly from her conservative folks who think she's attending nursing school. Layla brings a welcome touch of grace and mystery to the zany shenanigans of this multi-layered story with political undertones. She quickly became my emotional anchor amid the farcical religious and political quid pro quos of prejudices and stereotypes.

No wonder Layla becomes the object of David's mad desire! The arousing desire for the 'unobtainable" drives this film's fast-paced plot from its captivating opening sequence – setting up Manhattan and the two opposing sides across the Brooklyn bridge - to its unusual happy ending.

Layla with her long "night black hair" –as the singer in the club describes her- dances sensually with her bracelet-clad arms while fully dressed down to her bare feet. What a contrast to David's wealthy Manhattan fiancée, the pretty, smart, kick-boxing, fast Abby, played convincingly by Callie Thorne!?

Poetic Layla embodies the modesty and the entrancing femininity of the oppressed women of many parts of Asia and the Islamic world. She expresses with dignity the tragic history of her people; and introduces David and us to glimpses of the rich, suppressed culture of her homeland...

Look for the quaint Kurdish wedding with its amazing colorful costumes, food and exuberant music- and surprise baklava stirring the Jewish side to join in to dance to Hava Nagila! Throughout the film, the mélange of colors and authentic Middle Eastern, Kurdish, Jewish Klezmer, and Jazz music are used to tell the story: East and West clash then gradually reconcile....". More at: Mysterious Layla dances gracefully amid farcical characters!

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4. Darius Kadivar, Paris-based Franco-Iranian film critic & film historian:

“David & Layla was previewed to an enthusiastic audience in Paris last Sunday. David’s lust turns to love as he discovers that behind the mysterious Layla is a strong, intelligent, sensitive human being with an ancient culture that parallels David’s own Jewish tradition- spice, music, dance and humor, despite unspeakable tragedy...

Some very hilarious scenes that remind you of some of Woody Allen’s funny self introspections particularly in regard to sex with his psychiatrist…”

Film reviewed at a cultural screening, February, 2006 au Studio Ursulines, Paris, France. More at: Layla at Persian Mirror

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5. Nigel Barker, London writer/director (Asylum) & film editor:

“Loved this film. It rocks. Unforgettable, witty, acutely observed, smart, and ultimately satisfying conclusion. Watch it a second time and you'll love it even more. …the photography and lighting is excellent...really cinematic....gifted in many ways. Editing excellent. many times outstanding.”

Film in Competition, reviewed at Hamptons International Film Festival/Conflict Resolution.

David & Layla (2006)

Some 40+ diverse and original audience responses at: IMDB Comments

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