David & Layla (2005)

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.

Director:

J.J. Alani

Writer:

J.J. Alani

Stars:

David Moscow, Shiva Rose, Callie Thorne

6 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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
C.S. Lee	...	Yun, immigration officer
Joseph Kamal	...	Howar, Saz / Tanbur player.
Anahid	...	Aunt Aftaw Khan

Storyline

Sparks fly when a Jew and a Muslim fall in love in New York. David, a TV host of "Sex & Happiness", becomes smitten with the voluptuous Layla - a mysterious, sensual dancer. Layla turns out to be a Muslim refugee. Teased by specious tips from his ironic French cameraman, David madly pursues Layla. This sets off a veiling and unveiling of the similarities - and contrasts - of their ancient cultures. David's lust grows into love as he discovers in stunning Layla, a sensitive, intelligent, war survivor with an ancient rich culture that echoes his own culture. But their families are dead set against this unlikely romance. Faced with deportation, Layla must choose: Muslim American Dr. Ahmad or Jewish American David? Will David and Layla follow their hearts to blast through centuries of religious animosity?

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Plot Keywords:

muslim | dancer | jewish | iraq | refugee | 

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Taglines:

An Unlikely Romance!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

MySpace Newroz Films

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 October 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kosher & Halal

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$14,491 (USA) (20 July 2007)

Gross:

$120,750 (USA) (14 March 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Newroz Films, David & Layla, Films International Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

User Reviews

A Unique New York Romantic Comedy

I had the chance to see David & LAYLA recently and was pleased to discover a film that is endearing as it is funny. On one level, the story is a touching (and often hysterical) love letter to New York City and the cultures that make it such a fascinating, difficult and wonderful place. On another level, it is a great comedy; it seems to succeed in everything from Woody Allen-esquire wit to slapstick. But at its core is the love story between Jewish David and Muslim Layla. As their relationship progresses, one can't help hope that stories like theirs would some how redeem the Jewish-Muslim conflict. I can't think of the last time I went to a film that made me think, laugh, AND was a great romantic comedy date movie! A sexy, intellectually stimulating, funny film is just so rare-David & LAYLA made for a wonderful film experience.