Wüstenblume (2009)

Wüstenblume: Directed by Sherry Hormann. With Soraya Omar-Scego, Idriss Abdillahi Houfaneh, Awa Saïd Darar, Roun Daher Aïnan. 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.

“My mother kept insisting that I watch this movie but I avoided it because of the subject matter. Even in the hospital, the week before she died, she asked, u0026quot;Did you see DESERT FLOWER yet? You will like it.u0026quot; She died last week on the Eve of Easter and last night I decided to watch it before it deleted from my DVR. I was completely enthralled and every scene drew me in moving me to a deep compassion for these mutilated women. The London fashion model scenes were a pleasant comic respite from the atrocities and it was interesting to see how Waris integrated these two worlds. Although the film has some loose ends and flaws, nothing will make you appreciate your life as a free woman until you see this film. At the very least, you might be inspired to never complain about such trivial matters as the economy, not having a boyfriend or husband or how badly you thought you were treated as a child. At the best, you will be inspired to use the fire in your life to help those who suffer needlessly in the world.”