Desert Flower (2009)

Waris Dirie, born 1965 in Somalia, flees at 13 when sold as 4th wife. She's maid at the Somalian embassy in London, then McDonald's, where she's discovered and becomes int'l top model. 1997, she speaks up against female genital mutilation.

Director:

Sherry Hormann

Writers:

Smita Bhide (script revisions), Waris Dirie (novel)

Stars:

Soraya Omar-Scego, Idriss Abdillahi Houfaneh, Awa Saïd Darar

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Soraya Omar-Scego	...	Young Waris
Idriss Abdillahi Houfaneh	...	Old Man
Awa Saïd Darar	...	Amina
Roun Daher Aïnan	...	Waris' Mother
Osman Aden Dalieg	...	Waris' Father
Liya Kebede	...	Waris Dirie
Sally Hawkins	...	Marilyn
Meera Syal	...	Pushpa Patel
Anna Hilgedieck	...	Girl in Shower
Lucrezia Phantazia	...	Girl in Boardinghouse
Craig Parkinson	...	Neil
Matthew Alexander Kaufman	...	Fastfood Manager (as Matt Kaufman)
Timothy Spall	...	Terry Donaldson
Prashant Prabhakar	...	Kami
Anthony Mackie	...	Harold Jackson

Storyline

The autobiography of a Somalian nomad circumcised at 3, sold in marriage at 13, fled from Africa a while later to become finally an American supermodel and is now at the age of 38, the UN spokeswoman against female genital mutilation (FGM).

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Plot Keywords:

f rated | immigrant | modeling | photo shoot | rape | 

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Taglines:

The extraordinary true story of the woman who crossed the desert and changed the world.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violent content, a scene of sexuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Germany] Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK Germany Austria France

Language:

English Somali French

Release Date:

24 September 2009 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Fleur du désert

Filming Locations:

Germany

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,657, 20 March 2011

Gross USA:

$44,348

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,631,377

Company Credits

Production Co:

Desert Flower Filmproductions, Majestic Filmproduktion, MTM West Television & Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Color (35 mm version)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first project of the Waris Dirie Foundation, now called the Desert Flower Foundation, was preventing Safa, the small girl in the fgm scene from becoming a real life victim of this cruel ritual. The sponsorship program they developed was so successful that it quickly expanded and now saves hundreds of children each year.

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Goofs

Lucinda (from the modeling agency) says to Waris she would be without broadband in Africa. Broadband didn't exist in the early to mid 80s when this story took place.

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Connections

Referenced in Movie Friends: Prashant Prabhakar (2013)

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Soundtracks

Stranger In This Land
Music and Lyrics by Joy Denalane, Max Herre and Sekou A. Neblett (as Sekou Neblett)
Performed by Joy Denalane
Produced by Max Herre
Courtesy of Nesola GmbH, Four Music Productions GmbH and Sony Music Entertainment (Germany) GmbH

User Reviews

Damned Important Movie "Stop FGM"

The movie is autobiographical and makes the grade as a well made movie. It is easy to understand and follow. There is a story that is compelling and rewarding. I liked many aspects of the music and cinematography.

However, the movie is important because it has a shocking affect on the viewer with regard to the widespread use today of a barbaric practice of female genital mutilation or FGM. It is a practice steeped in obligation most often based in religion but also cultural. Watching the movie demands the viewer make efforts to speak out and stop the practice. That can mean just shouting out to our politicians and demand greater controls in these areas most often targeted for foreign aid money. How do we get religious leaders to scream at the people and reject such barbaric Hadiths and interpretations. Watch the movie and be moved.