Desert Flower (2009)
Genre: Biography / Drama
Duration: 120 minuten
Country:
United Kingdom / Germany / Austria
Directed by: Sherry Hormann
Stars: Liya Kebede, Sally Hawkins and Craig Parkinson
IMDb score:
7,3 (15.360)
Releasedate: 24 September 2009
Desert Flower plot
"The extraordinary true story of the woman who crossed the desert and changed the world."
Autobiography about the Somali fashion model Waris Dirie. She grew up as a child of a nomad and was circumcised early on. At the age of 13 she was married off to an old man, after which she managed to flee to an uncle in London. By chance she came into contact with a photographer and that is how she got a distinguished career as a fashion model. With her fame, she took on the role of ambassador against female circumcision.
Actors and actresses
Waris Dirie
Marylin
Neil
Pushpa Patel
Harold Jackson
Lucinda
Terry Donaldson
Girl in Boardinghouse
Young Waris
Girl in Shower
Reviews & comments
Anouk.
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- 57 messages
- 56 votes
Just saw this movie and although I thought it was a nice movie, I actually recommend everyone to read the book. Not that the movie was bad, but it's all done quite lightly and with all kinds of minor characters who behave a bit ridiculous or don't even appear in the book. The book focuses - in my opinion - less on the glamor and more on the tough things Waris has had to endure. You will also get a better picture of her life in Africa and her family. I think I would have liked the film better if it had been a truthful, somewhat harder version. Indeed, the total picture would have been one with less cheerful moments. But let's face it; the message around which the film revolves is a horrible truth, it is a story about a deeply sad misery that so many women apparently have to go through. A film without chickflick moments and over the top characters would have been more appropriate.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Dievegge
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- 3180 messages
- 8228 votes
An Ethiopian model was asked for her physical resemblance to play a Somali model. Despite her lack of acting experience, Liya Kebede did very well. It is based on the autobiography of Waris Dirie. When she was due to speak at two conferences in Brussels in 2008, she went missing for three days, which was reported under the headline "Where's Waris?"
On the one hand, there is the success story of the Somali girl who becomes an international top model, presented with flair and humor. On the other hand, there is the serious side of her activism against female circumcision, a form of mutilation that is an East African tradition. Finally, there is the issue of migration, fleeing war. London, which is not too hospitable, is shown through the eyes of an insecure newcomer.
The contrast between two cultures is illustrated by the character of Sally Hawkins, an amalgam of different people who helped Waris Dirie. She provides the airy note. Timothy Spall is good again as the photographer who discovers her and gradually gains her trust, but the funniest character is that horny janitor who marries her of convenience.
The flashbacks were shot in Djibouti, which provides beautiful images of a bone-dry landscape. The screaming baby is gripping. A good balance has been struck between the lighthearted scenes and the serious message. That it should be disseminated is a fact that is true.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Movsin
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- 8286 messages
- 8441 votes
Well constructed biographical film with a gripping theme and with some emotional scenes but also with a laugh, not least because of the mischievousness of Sally Hawkins.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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