David & Layla (2005)

Director:

Jay Jonroy

Writer (WGA):

Jay Jonroy (written by)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | History | Romance | War

Tagline:

Kosher meets Halal!

Plot:

Star-crossed lovers, David & Layla- Romeo & Juliet in New York with a twist!. Inspired by a true story, a spicy romantic comedy...via Iraq & Jerusalem.

Plot Keywords:

Muslim | Dancer | Star Crossed Lovers | TV Host | Refugee

Awards:

6 wins

Cast

David Moscow	...	David Fine
Shiva Rose	...	Layla
Callie Thorne	...	Abby, David's fiancee
Peter Van Wagner	...	Mel Fine
Polly Adams	...	Judith Fine
Will Janowitz	...	Woody Fine
Ed Chemaly	...	Uncle Ali "Al"
Alexander Blaise	...	Francois
Anna George	...	Zina, Uncle Al's wife
Ken Kliban	...	Dr. Jacobson, vasectomy doctor
Albert Macklin	...	Dr. Susswein, the shrink
Hany Kamal	...	Imam
Tibor Feldman	...	Rabbi Rabinovich
Joseph Kamal	...	Howar, Saz / Tanbur player.
Anahid	...	Aunt Aftaw Khan

Also Known As:

Kosher & Halal (USA) (working title)
Sex & Happiness (USA) (working title)
Sex & Spice (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Newroz Films

Trivia:

This film is inspired by a true love story. Married since 1990, the real David & Layla now live in Paris. They flew to New York to meet the cast and the crew during the production of this film. The real Layla designed Layla's wedding dress. She is the guest with green eyes and dark hair who is one of the Kurdish dancing women in bright golden orange gilet, during the wedding. Her husband, the real David, plays himself as the new vasectomy patient who answers to his real name, David Ruby, and gets the appointment with Dr. Jacobson.

Cinema of Life!

In a time when the term "Romantic Comedy" causes a gagging sensation to reflex from myself as I think of recent cliché Hollywood inventions such as "Must Love Dogs" and "40 Year Old Virgin", it is a film such as "David and Layla" that gives me cause to have faith; faith that a film can be topical, romantic, sincere, true to life and do so without tipping the balance of any essential element what so ever. The film is inspired by a true story and brings up many political issues that face our daily lives without ever giving the condescending preachy sense documentaries often engage upon. The humor is funny, and when I say funny I mean actually funny; because the characters feel real. Every character in this film is a gem. I myself am not of Judaic upbringing, but found the Jewish father to be hilarious and a favorite. The pacing of the film is just right, nothing lasts too long and not a second is to be missed. Towards the end of the film I had the urge to pee, the urge came and immediately went because the film sucked me right back in; JUST AS A GOOD FILM SHOULD DO, and yet so many films today don't. "David and Layla" inspires you, grabs you and tickles you all at once. It's a reminder of why we pay the 8-10 dollars to see a film. A fantastic film I'd gladly see again and recommend to anyone who loves the cinema of life!