Desert Flower
2009 · Movie · 120 min · ★ 7.6 · 52% critics
This autobiographical story follows a Somali nomad who was sold in marriage at 13, later escapes, and eventually becomes a successful American supermodel. Now in her late 30s, she uses her public voice as a UN spokeswoman against female genital mutilation.
Based on Desert Flower
Where to watch
Rent from $3.99 or buy from $7.99.
2 hours to watch.
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Years
- 2009
- Release date
- 2009-09-24
- Language
- English
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Critic score
- 52/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.6/10 (489 votes)
About
You’ll like Desert Flower if you want a compelling real-life story about resilience and advocacy, with both harsh realities and hopeful ambition; Not for you if you’re sensitive to depictions related to female genital mutilation or prefer lighter, purely entertaining dramas like Orlando.
Pros: inspiring survival journey; important FGM message; engaging fashion-world contrast | Cons: disturbing subject matter; tonal shifts feel jarring; some viewer criticisms of clichés
Themes
- based on novel or book
- africa
- wilderness
- supermodel
- somalia
- based on true story
- vagabond
- united nations
- woman director
Cast & crew
Liya Kebede
as Waris Dirie
Sally Hawkins
as Marylin
Craig Parkinson
as Neil
Meera Syal
as Pushpa Patel
Anthony Mackie
as Harold Jackson
Juliet Stevenson
as Lucinda
Timothy Spall
as Terry Donaldson
Lucrezia Phantazia
as Girl in Boardinghouse
Soraya Omar-Scego
as Young Waris
Anna Hilgedieck
as Girl in Shower
Directed by Sherry Hormann