Desert Flower

Reviewed by Gabriel of Urantia

  • Biography
  • 120 minutes
  • MPAA rating: R

Liya Kebede plays real-life model Waris Dirie, a Somalian who was circumcised at 3 years old in a very painful sewing up of the skin, where her vagina is. Often these children die from germs or when they become adults have no sexual enjoyment, because the circumcision destroyed their sexual pleasure sensors. They are expected by their mother and tribe to remain sewn up until they are married, but in this case (and in many others) women who leave their village have a tremendous sense of guilt if they get an operation to remove the stitches. After becoming famous, as one of the most beautiful models in the world out of England, Dirie speaks before the United Nations about this primitive tradition and many countries adopt new laws against such practices. This is a very well-done film that shows how a person can come from such painful and humble beginnings to become influential in making global change. The film also shows the abuse of the immigration laws, which she had deal with. Liya Kebede does a wonderful job portraying Dirie in both Dirie's innocence that she never lost and her integrity. Even though she became so successful, she still kept her beautiful inner self to match her beautiful outer self and did not develop a pretentious image. She eventually married and had children. Director Sherry Horman. Sally Hawkins, Craig Parkinson.

~Gabriel of Urantia

*MPAA = Motion Picture Association of America

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