''Desert Flower'' is a 2009 German

biographical film A biographical film or biopic () is a film that dramatizes the life of a non-fictional or historically-based person or people. Such films show the life of a historical person and the central character's real name is used. They differ from docudra ...

directed by

Sherry Hormann Sherry Hormann (born 20 April 1960) is a German-American film director. Hormann is best known for her movies ''Guys and Balls'' (2004), '' Desert Flower'' (2009) and '' 3096 Days'' (2013). Hormann was born in the United States, but moved to Germa ...

. It stars

Liya Kebede Liya Kebede ( am, ሊያ ከበደ; born 1 March 1978) is an Ethiopian-born model, maternal health advocate, clothing designer, and actress. She has appeared on the cover of '' Vogue'' three times. Kebede has served as the WHO's Ambassador for ...

, Sally Hawkins and

Craig Parkinson Craig Parkinson (born 11 March 1976) is an English actor and podcaster. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Shaun in the E4 series '' Misfits'', twins Jimmy and Johnny Kray in the ITV series ''Whitechapel'', and DI Matthew "Dot" Cottan ...

, and is based on the

Somali Somali may refer to: Horn of Africa * Somalis, an inhabitant or ethnicity associated with Greater Somali Region ** Proto-Somali, the ancestors of modern Somalis ** Somali culture ** Somali cuisine ** Somali language, a Cushitic language ** Somali ...

-born model

Waris Dirie Waris may refer to: People *Abdul Majeed Waris (born 1991), Ghanaian footballer *Manmohan Waris (born 1967), Indian Punjabi folk/pop singer * Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood (born 1942), British author * Syed Mohammad Waris Hasan Naqvi (died 2008), India ...

autobiography An autobiography, sometimes informally called an autobio, is a self-written account of one's own life. It is a form of biography. Definition The word "autobiography" was first used deprecatingly by William Taylor in 1797 in the English peri ...

Plot

The film follows the journey of

(played by

) from a nomadic pastoralist background in

Somalia Somalia, , Osmanya script: 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒖; ar, الصومال, aṣ-Ṣūmāl officially the Federal Republic of SomaliaThe ''Federal Republic of Somalia'' is the country's name per Article 1 of thProvisional Constitut ...

to a new life and career in the West as a fashion model and activist against

female genital mutilation Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and female circumcision, is the ritual cutting or removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. The practice is found ...

Cast

* Sally Hawkins as Marylin *

as Neil *

Meera Syal Meera Syal FRSL (born Feroza Syal; 27 June 1961) is a English comedian, writer, playwright, singer, journalist and actress. She rose to prominence as one of the team that created '' Goodness Gracious Me'' and portraying Sanjeev's grandmother, ...

as Pushpa Patel *

Anthony Mackie Anthony Dwane Mackie (born September 23, 1978) is an American actor. Mackie made his acting debut starring in the semi-biographical drama film '' 8 Mile'' (2002). He was later nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Actor for his pe ...

as Harold Jackson * Juliet Stevenson as Lucinda *

Timothy Spall Timothy Leonard Spall (born 27 February 1957) is an English actor and presenter. He became a household name in the UK after appearing as Barry Spencer Taylor in the 1983 ITV comedy-drama series '' Auf Wiedersehen, Pet''. Spall performed in '' ...

as Terry Donaldson * Soraya Omar-Scego as Waris aged 12 * Teresa Churcher as Nurse Anne * Eckart Friz as Spike *

Prashant Prabhakar Prashant Prabhakar Jaiswal (born October 13, 1974) is a German actor of Indian origin. He has acted in several films, short films and TV-series. He has earned a lot of fame with his work in the award-winning TV series '' Stromberg''. His role of ...

as Kami * Anna Hilgedieck as Tilda * Matt Kaufman as Burger Bar Manager *

Emma Kay Emma Kay (born 1961) is a British artist working with subjectivity and memory. Biography Kay studied art at Goldsmiths College, working toward a bachelor's of arts degree from 1980 to 1983 and a master's of arts degree from 1995 to 1997. Her earl ...

as Immigration officer * Elli as European Man * Nick Raio as Truck Driver * Robert Robalino as Cafe owner * Chris Wilson as Embassy Official * Safa Idriss Nour as Little Waris

Production

Asked about the scene where Waris Dirie really struggles with a nude photo shoot,

said, "Being nude really is a problem for me, so it was actually the easiest scene for me to shoot. I definitely identified with how she was feeling."

Awards

* Festival de San Sebastián 2009

References

In-line references

External links

* * 2009 films 2009 biographical drama films English-language German films Films directed by Sherry Hormann Films shot in Cologne Films based on biographies Films scored by Martin Todsharow Films set in Somalia Films set in London Works about female genital mutilation 2009 drama films German biographical drama films Biographical films about models 2000s German films {{2000s-drama-film-stub