Written By: Staff Writer—The international bestselling book
Desert Flower (which has sold over 11 million copies worldwide) has been adapted into a movie with the same title starring Liya Kebede. Based on the gripping life of Somalian model and advocate against female genital mutilation (FGM), Waris Dirie, the movie spans Waris' life from a nomadic life in the deserts of Somalia to the world’s most famous catwalks. Although Dirie's story is full of real life drama—fleeing an arranged marriage at the age of 13 and eventually finding herself in London—it is the revelation that she herself was the subject of FGM as a very young girl that the film focuses on. Dirie has said about the film, "The movie was what I expected, to have the message, and if no-one can feel this movie I don't know what will move the hearts of the world."
As for Liya playing the role of Waris, while this is the first major film role for Liya, whose previous movie stints include a role in
The Good Shepherd, and
Lord of War, this seems to be a role that was made for her given her ascent as a supermodel and as an advocate for children and women.
Desert Flower is scheduled to appear at the Venice Film Festival this month and will be released in Germany on September, 24th. Get more information about the movie at: wuestenblume-film.de.
MIMI Related Links: The Truth About FGM, More Than A Pretty Face
(Photo Credits: wuestenblume-film.de)
