Rituals and traditions are important to us because they strengthen our identity and give us a sense of belonging, be it to a religion, a society or a nation. Marriage is an institution and weddings are the commercialised ceremonial way of entering it. In 2012, it was reported that nearly half of marriages end in divorce and until recently, it was a privilege homosexuals were denied. The latest documentary from filmmaker Doug Block looks beyond the wedding day itself and asks what does marriage really mean, and why do it?
Block started videoing weddings as a means to pay the bills. Over the last 20 years, he has filmed 112 couples tie the proverbial knot across the USA. For fans of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and Don’t Tell The Bride, Block’s latest documentary will prove to be an insightful examination of life beyond the Big Day. We are offered perspectives and advice from marriages that have worked (so far) and some that haven’t.
Interviews are intersected with Block’s original wedding footage, a great deal of which focuses on the moments before the ceremony when both the bride and groom are getting ready. Perhaps most interestingly, we hear from a couple who speak openly of the controversy around gay marriage – should we be fighting (or have fought) for legalisation into the institution, or to abolish the system as it is for something less spiritual and more inclusive? That remains debatable. Block’s documentary doesn’t seek to answer any questions, but rather open up conversation about the role of marriage in our society now: what purpose does it serve in the (reasonably) liberal Western world? The only sure thing is this: weddings are fun, marriage is hard and you won’t know how hard until you do it. It might not work, but when it does, it’s so good that it’s probably worth the risk. And don’t forget the tax breaks.