This movie is set in the Bedouin community, this community is off the grid and is not recognized by the Israeli government. This movie is about a girl and her marriage. The main character, Layla, loves a boy, but her father wants her to marry someone else. On top of that the father has found a second wife, who he treats better than the first wife. This adds on to the problems this family endures This creates internal conflict within the family. Layla thinks about running away, but stops because she realizes the implications in her community. In the end, she gives in and marries who her father wants. Each character has to make important decisions throughout the film that impact their lives forever. The director shows the hardships in this community and he makes you want to root for Layla. When watching, I was rooting for Lyala to just escape and run away, especially when she was so close. But, she had to worry about factors that we do not in America and marriage is more than love. Although, it is very sad she is forced to marry Munir and not who she loves, it would have been hard on her to run away like we all wanted her to do, This movie is very different compared to the traditional American film. Do not expect a fast paced film.
31 Reviews
Good movie
sunnysarasota20 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This was an interesting movie, because things turned out differently than expected. Layla, one of the main characters in the film lives in a Bedouin community with her mother and siblings, and they start having a hard time coping to life, when their father introduces his new wife. Layla goes to college outside of the territory, and she starts falling in love with a student in the school. This becomes an issue, when he is introduced to her dad Suliman, because he is not part of the Bedouin community. Layla has to marry an old guy, whom her father has arranged for her, and at the end she ends up marrying him. Towards the end of the film, I was very surprised, because when Layla was in her car on her way to see Anwar, she turned off the engine of the car, and went back to her family. I did not expect this to happen, because Layla did not want to marry a random guy whom she was arranged to marry, and her mother started excepting her choice to leave, but she decided to act otherwise. I did not like Layla's dad in the film, because once his new wife came along, he abandoned his children, and left them in a rotten house, while he lived in a newly built one, he took away their electric power, and they were left with nothing. Layla's mother was upset when this happened to her and her children, that she decided to stay with her parents, Layla was taking care of herself and her siblings, but dropped them off to their mother, when she wanted to run off. Overall I would give this film a 4 out of 5.
Grim film about social difficulties of being women
criscrossin3 November 2022
The film slowly draws you in with it's minimalistic but meaningful storyline in an Israel village. The father is progressive upto an extent. The daughters drawn towards him more than their strict mother. The mother has her own problems with the husband getting married again. Daughter is allowed to study in a college but is she allowed to go further ? Is the mother an enemy to her daughter or is she is soul who knows them the best. Tough choices - all controlled by the pervasive societal laws of the day. How the second wife thinks about her position! Complicated life stories bound by a single thread comes to a head. The choices we make on life are not nice and lovely, but we make them. The film is in a dusty rough village , quite poor. But it doesn't linger on and play on the problems too much. The focus is on the conflict between the characters and as a whole with the society. Cinematography is excellent. The ending screen music is haunting and evocative. Pensive movie. Touches your heart.
Amazing
breadandhammers7 September 2020
Sandstorm good movie
realanjenkins16 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The movie starts with a man and his daughter driving into town. At first his daughter is driving but as soon as they get to town the dad starts driving because it is illegal for women to drive. This sets the tone for the movie. We come to the fathers second wedding, so he has two wives now. He leaves the first wife with the kids at a house and goes to a new house with the new wife. He is absent much of the movie but comes back to meet the boy his daughter loves. He scares the boy away, never to be seen for the rest of the movie. And forces his daughter, Layla, to marry Munir, a man from the town. Layla starts to run but right before she gets to her boyfriend she stops her car and goes back because she realizes that she really can't run anywhere.
Sand Storm
ciyao-2924816 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The film Sand Storm directed by Elite Zexer is a drama different than other drama films I have seen. Since the setting of this film is in Bedouin Village in Israel, their living environment and customs are absolutely different apart from my life. While Jaila is preparing wedding for her husband and his second wife, Jaila's daughter, Layla fells in love. However, when Jaila finds out, she does not want Layla to see her boyfriend again. Layla has ran away, but she stops and still comes back for the arranged marriage her family made for her. I was very touched when I saw the scene of Jaila actually allows Layla to run away. Although Layla's escape is going to damage her family relationships, she still respects her daughter's decision. I think the reason she allows Layla to run away is because Jaila does not like her marriage, and she does not want to put her daughter in the same situation as herself. However, this film as a whole has a very sad atmosphere. I would rate this film a 7 out of 10 because I am not used to the pace of this movie.
A story about women in a conservative Muslim society
rmanory22 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this movie after it has received the Ofir award for best movie- the Israeli Oscar, which will make it the Israeli submission for the foreign language Academy award. I think it is a good movie in its novelty. The movie depict Bedouin life in modern Israel, although there is no sign really that this is the country where this story takes place, as the language is only Arabic and only an Israeli plate on the father's car indicates that the country is Israel. Much is already known about the treatment of women in Arab society, but here the father seems to be progressive: he sends his daughter Layla to school, and even considers university...she drives and believes that her father is different than other Bedouin fathers. To her dismay she finds that he isn't. On one hand the movie deals with the issue of polygamy, but is actually deals with all the issues affecting women in Arab society: the power of a husband to ban his wife and send her to her parents, the position of the father of daughters in the Bedouin society, the "do" and "don't" when it comes to family life. The movie revolves around the "must" issues. The father feels that the society expects from him to behave in a certain way, where the women in his life expect him to be different. The father might be willing to allow his daughter to drive and to study, but this seems to be the limit of his openness to Western values, to the huge disappointment of Layla.
Gut wrenching movie
dafneberd4 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This movie made me sad. A deep, desperate sadness that I feel for the two protagonists, and as a fellow woman. I feel their pain, I feel their oppression. I can't even imagine what it feels to be in a set up marriage, for the sake of your family, giving up on your love and happiness. And thinking that women nowadays are still going through this hell is devastating. And the fact that she willingly decided to come back shows how difficult decisions these girls have to take, whether to escape from your roots and loved ones, or stay in a life that it's decided for you. Unbelievable.
A must watch for film about female struggle in a man's world.
info-891-5057544 September 2016
The film follows the struggle of a young Bedouin girl and her will to be free of old traditions that try to keep her caged in a man's world. The main plot follows Jalila (Ruba Blal-Asfour), the first wife of a man that is trapped under the pressure of having a new young wife join the clan. Her daughter, Layla (Lamis Ammar), has a secret lover at school, and Jalila must decide if she is part of the mechanism that will trap her daughter too or going to fight for the next generation to have more than she could ever dream of. The brave directing and storytelling brings to the screen a complex story, exhibiting female struggles from a very specific perspective yet in a very universal way. It is not by chance that the film has had such a successful festival circuit.
I suppose this needs to exist.
GiraffeDoor13 August 2022
Efficient snap shot of rural gender and family relations with a message.
Conflict and disharmony occurs on many hierarchical stages as the mother suffers and takes it out on the daughter who then has to more of an adult than the adults around her in more ways than one.
Not a feel good movie but hopefully people from the cultures its targeting will take it to heart. When the little girl is asked why she won't wear a dress and we see women singing in false beards, we are left in no doubt what this indeed is about.
Conflict and disharmony occurs on many hierarchical stages as the mother suffers and takes it out on the daughter who then has to more of an adult than the adults around her in more ways than one.
Not a feel good movie but hopefully people from the cultures its targeting will take it to heart. When the little girl is asked why she won't wear a dress and we see women singing in false beards, we are left in no doubt what this indeed is about.
Utterly boring storyline
eryuz13 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
If you are living in western world this might be interesting story for you but still for me the dialogues in the movie was weak. If you are familiar with muslim customs then story is very typical, father dominance, 2-3 wife situations, pressure of the neighbors... I have seen so many movies with same story line. Sorry, for me it was totally boring.
Amazing movie
tomer7929 October 2016
I was vising my family in Israel and took advantage of the opportunity to watch this movie with friends. I prepared myself for a hard political movie, as some of the media said it was but found myself watching a beautiful non-political universal movie. Sure it is still a hard movie with an educational and sad message but it is a must see movie. We were 4 people and all of us were speechless in the end. Maybe as an Israeli with previous knowledge I had more insights and could understand this movie in several other levels but that doesn't mean that this is a great movie. Great job to all the cast and I hope it will succeed not only in the theaters across the world but may also be nominated for the Oscar this year. The cast and the story deserves it.
Khan Review
zkzuber14 February 2022
Self proclaimed intelligent and movi critics with empty brain department are connecting this below average movie with Islam or Muslim society. No surprise this movie appreciated or getting nomination for awards it's part of entertainment used for propoganda like news channels are used. This same empty boxes are silent when israelis abuse insult Palestinian arab women. Funny part is the movie is made by Israeli. What they showed in the movie has nothing to do with Islam two marriages are permissible but one cannot abandon the first wife. Marriages cannot solemenised without the consent of bride and groom. This story can be of few individuals among millions of Muslim population but it has nothing to do with religion.
A perfect film
mosheq15 June 2018
Sand Storm may not be a masterpiece of world cinema. Perhaps more distinctive art films claim their place on that stage. This movie takes a naturalistic approach to its story, depicting development in a straightforward way without auteur splashes. It offers a big dose of realism about a tough subject and tough circumstances. Perhaps that doesn't appeal to a more casual audience.
But this is absolutely a perfect movie. How is it perfect? First of all, every moment, every scene, every line of dialogue propels the story forward in a meaningful, forceful, convincing, and deeply human way. Deeply human? Yes. The characters are thoroughly human and complex, fully imagined and developed, both in the writing and the excellent performances. The story itself is constructed in a highly economical, brilliant way. For example, the reversal in dynamism between 'stern mother' and 'indulgent father' is not only interesting in terms of development; those shifts are utterly convincing as they arise organically from dynamics internal to the story and to the (highly difficult) circumstances each character finds her or himself in. It's impressive to witness the artistry of these shifts, how well though out, convincing, and how inspired it all is. The major characters are all in deep conflict with each other, and enough is given to us to understand and sympathize with each of their positions. That's uncommon in stories, in any story, whether novels or movies. This is an admirable achievement.
The climactic moment, the moment of momentous decision for the daughter Layla, this is fantastic: she drives the family truck as her means of breaking away from her father's demands, but it is precisely in driving this truck where we first saw how her father fostered her independence and self-sufficiency in ways unseemly for a young woman in their village society. The 'vehicle' by which he helped give her independence of spirit is the very vehicle by which she flees his (or his society's) oppression. Wow.
While it's not showy, it's a deeply inspired film, full of artistry and moving, human meaning.
But this is absolutely a perfect movie. How is it perfect? First of all, every moment, every scene, every line of dialogue propels the story forward in a meaningful, forceful, convincing, and deeply human way. Deeply human? Yes. The characters are thoroughly human and complex, fully imagined and developed, both in the writing and the excellent performances. The story itself is constructed in a highly economical, brilliant way. For example, the reversal in dynamism between 'stern mother' and 'indulgent father' is not only interesting in terms of development; those shifts are utterly convincing as they arise organically from dynamics internal to the story and to the (highly difficult) circumstances each character finds her or himself in. It's impressive to witness the artistry of these shifts, how well though out, convincing, and how inspired it all is. The major characters are all in deep conflict with each other, and enough is given to us to understand and sympathize with each of their positions. That's uncommon in stories, in any story, whether novels or movies. This is an admirable achievement.
The climactic moment, the moment of momentous decision for the daughter Layla, this is fantastic: she drives the family truck as her means of breaking away from her father's demands, but it is precisely in driving this truck where we first saw how her father fostered her independence and self-sufficiency in ways unseemly for a young woman in their village society. The 'vehicle' by which he helped give her independence of spirit is the very vehicle by which she flees his (or his society's) oppression. Wow.
While it's not showy, it's a deeply inspired film, full of artistry and moving, human meaning.
The Matrix, Bedouin Style
LeonardHaid5 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Sand Storm is about a patriarchal social system that hasn't budged much from the dark ages despite the evolution happening all around it, and despite the yearning for change from much of the population, especially the female population. The brilliance of this film, though, is that the filmmaker - Elite Zexer - never ultimately condemns any individuals in the film, demonstrating that the system has taken on a life of its own, and people are ultimately beyond judgment. As Morpheus said in The Matrix, "The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy."
Yes, the father is railed against for his seeming inability to think for himself, but rather automatically doing what is expected of him. But he is also portrayed as a loving and reasonable man, and even as a progressive and independent thinker...just not when it comes to his daughter marrying whom she wants to. Yes, young love and young life is quashed by the actions of people - rigid tradition needs people to sustain it - and the anguish that ensues is heartbreaking. But is keeping with tradition the appropriate thing to do in the long run, in the big picture? Everyone - willingly or begrudgingly - seems to accept that it is. Or do they? And whether it is or isn't, what does it matter when there's no choice. Or is there? There is one telling scene between the father and mother, where - despite the tremendous friction between them throughout the film - they share an intimate moment. They share a cigarette, talk comfortingly to each other, and hug, acknowledging then and there that the system is bigger than both of them, and with their hug they silently agree that deferring to it is the only thing that can be done, like it or not. There is no choice. But this is not seen as a tragedy, necessarily. Their world is what it is, and one has to accept that. Or do they? Will the little girl who sees her beautiful, intelligent sister with her new schlemiel of an arranged husband accept that when she's of marrying age? Is she the future Bedouin Neo who will challenge the Matrix?
Yes, the father is railed against for his seeming inability to think for himself, but rather automatically doing what is expected of him. But he is also portrayed as a loving and reasonable man, and even as a progressive and independent thinker...just not when it comes to his daughter marrying whom she wants to. Yes, young love and young life is quashed by the actions of people - rigid tradition needs people to sustain it - and the anguish that ensues is heartbreaking. But is keeping with tradition the appropriate thing to do in the long run, in the big picture? Everyone - willingly or begrudgingly - seems to accept that it is. Or do they? And whether it is or isn't, what does it matter when there's no choice. Or is there? There is one telling scene between the father and mother, where - despite the tremendous friction between them throughout the film - they share an intimate moment. They share a cigarette, talk comfortingly to each other, and hug, acknowledging then and there that the system is bigger than both of them, and with their hug they silently agree that deferring to it is the only thing that can be done, like it or not. There is no choice. But this is not seen as a tragedy, necessarily. Their world is what it is, and one has to accept that. Or do they? Will the little girl who sees her beautiful, intelligent sister with her new schlemiel of an arranged husband accept that when she's of marrying age? Is she the future Bedouin Neo who will challenge the Matrix?
Seemed okay on the surface
bregund18 September 2023
It really drew me in, the acting is quite good, the actress who plays the mother really knows how to use her face to convey her emotions. A point is made, but unfortunately it's the same point we've seen over and over again through a western lens, designed to "enlighten" the viewer with how oppressed women are in muslim society. Of course men are evil and wicked, and the only source of anguish and suffering in the world, and how convenient that islam can be used to convey this message. The wife is banished to her parents house? How horrible, look how badly this woman is treated for speaking out against her husband, something must be done about this. An arranged marriage? How horrible, something must be done about this. If you want to see true horror, look at what decades of ineffectual politicians have done to the city of Chicago or the state of California. Those are messages that people need to see.
A sad film, that urges you to look beyond the film, and in to the future.
palomita-1506828 September 2017
This film depicts a Bedouin family on the brink of changing traditions.
When the father of the family takes a second wife, and the daughter finds herself in love with a boy from college. Each character must make decisions that will change the outcome of the family. Although a main theme is about woman living in world of strict traditions I think it is mainly about a family trying to make the right decisions for each other.
Throughout the film the director will turn you against the adults, and then give you a window of insight that will allow you to sympathize with them. I was constantly urging the characters to do something, on the end of the seat, and although the film left me a little sad you must look beyond the film, to what it is trying to hint the future may hold, not just for the protagonists, but all woman around the world.
I will certainly be thinking about Layla, her sister and what life has in hold for them, for a while.
When the father of the family takes a second wife, and the daughter finds herself in love with a boy from college. Each character must make decisions that will change the outcome of the family. Although a main theme is about woman living in world of strict traditions I think it is mainly about a family trying to make the right decisions for each other.
Throughout the film the director will turn you against the adults, and then give you a window of insight that will allow you to sympathize with them. I was constantly urging the characters to do something, on the end of the seat, and although the film left me a little sad you must look beyond the film, to what it is trying to hint the future may hold, not just for the protagonists, but all woman around the world.
I will certainly be thinking about Layla, her sister and what life has in hold for them, for a while.
Well made but miss leading
erangordon19988 September 2020
The movies is well made, the scenes are very dramatic and realistic and it feels like getting punched in the chest.
Despite that, I was not a big fan of it since i found the narrative of the movies being very black and white, and not fully nuanced and open-minded.
The male charcter in the movie is clearly potrayed as the reason everything is ruined. And i interpentrate this movie being very self-righteous femenism and arrogant towards bedouin traditions. If you want to make a social-critical movie, you should potray the full scope of Things, and not say, this is right, this is wrong.
This movie would have been better if it was more open minded and not so black and white.
Despite that, I was not a big fan of it since i found the narrative of the movies being very black and white, and not fully nuanced and open-minded.
The male charcter in the movie is clearly potrayed as the reason everything is ruined. And i interpentrate this movie being very self-righteous femenism and arrogant towards bedouin traditions. If you want to make a social-critical movie, you should potray the full scope of Things, and not say, this is right, this is wrong.
This movie would have been better if it was more open minded and not so black and white.
A tour de force of filmmaking, writing, acting.
adityakripalani5 September 2018
Ever so subtly like a friend pulling your arm gently, this film pulls your into the world of women and how suffocating it is for them. Across nearly four generations. With the fourth one standing at the window of womanhood but not there yet. It will tell you how their voices are muted, how their choices are compromised, how emotions, feelings, their conscience, society, reputation are all used against them. The mother is the best actor I've seen in a Long time on screen. The amount of pain, frustration, anguish she conveys with so much subtlety is mind numbing. The Daughter was stellar too. Sumbolism and metaphor used time and again in the form of tunnels, windows, make up, weddings as a societal device. Gorgeous film. One of the best I've seen offlate. Kudos to the filmmaker, the crew and the actors. Phenomenal.
Impressive
olgailicheva12 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
A very compelling and well made film. Every shot, every line of dialogue has a putpose and adds to the multi-layered story. It is amazing how much can be told in such a short time.
On the surface, it is a story about issues women have to deal with in a traditional tribal society. But it is just as much about Suliman, the man of the family, and complex choices the family has to make for their sirvival. It is clear that Suliman has his daughters' best interests at heart and loves his first wife but he has to fit in the tribe and play by the rules because their support is all he has if tomorrow, his home gets bulldozed by the Israeli government and he ends up losing everything, the way Anwar's relatives did. This is the fate he wants Layla to avoid and when he tells her about her future husband, the only thing he cares for is that she "finds peace". Peace and security are the most important values, in his eyes. When you are a second class citizen in your own land, community/clan can sometimes be perceived as the only source and guarantee of security.
An arranged marriage is not necessarily what Suliman wants for his daughters in the first place. He wants Layla to be independant and have an education and better future, he is concerned about her grades even more than she is. But when Layla and Anwar decide to marry and he learns about Anwar's situation, he feels he has to prevent their marriage at all costs. Apart from Anwar's not yet being able to support Layla financially, the family also risks losing respect and support of their village, and he has younger daughters to provide for. It is for the same reasons, to gain favours from the community, that Suliman takes the second younger wife whom he doesn't love and doesn't sleep with. But apparently, the new wife comes from a relatively wealthy family who helped build and furnish a new house for the couple whereas Suliman's own financial situation leaves much to be desired. Jalila understands all this, both she and Suliman roll with the punches but in the end, she can't help but feel resentment and disappointment towards her husband for his lack of independence and self-respect.
Suliman believes that he has to make sacrifices for the future of his family but all it leads to is the young generation having to make sacrifices of their own, and the cycle goes on.
On the surface, it is a story about issues women have to deal with in a traditional tribal society. But it is just as much about Suliman, the man of the family, and complex choices the family has to make for their sirvival. It is clear that Suliman has his daughters' best interests at heart and loves his first wife but he has to fit in the tribe and play by the rules because their support is all he has if tomorrow, his home gets bulldozed by the Israeli government and he ends up losing everything, the way Anwar's relatives did. This is the fate he wants Layla to avoid and when he tells her about her future husband, the only thing he cares for is that she "finds peace". Peace and security are the most important values, in his eyes. When you are a second class citizen in your own land, community/clan can sometimes be perceived as the only source and guarantee of security.
An arranged marriage is not necessarily what Suliman wants for his daughters in the first place. He wants Layla to be independant and have an education and better future, he is concerned about her grades even more than she is. But when Layla and Anwar decide to marry and he learns about Anwar's situation, he feels he has to prevent their marriage at all costs. Apart from Anwar's not yet being able to support Layla financially, the family also risks losing respect and support of their village, and he has younger daughters to provide for. It is for the same reasons, to gain favours from the community, that Suliman takes the second younger wife whom he doesn't love and doesn't sleep with. But apparently, the new wife comes from a relatively wealthy family who helped build and furnish a new house for the couple whereas Suliman's own financial situation leaves much to be desired. Jalila understands all this, both she and Suliman roll with the punches but in the end, she can't help but feel resentment and disappointment towards her husband for his lack of independence and self-respect.
Suliman believes that he has to make sacrifices for the future of his family but all it leads to is the young generation having to make sacrifices of their own, and the cycle goes on.
My Review
pjfarley16 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This film takes place in a Bedouin Village in Israel. Suliman has just come home with his second wife. Jalila is not happy about this and is happy to inconvenience the two of them. This is all happening while Jalila's daughter, Layla, is off falling in love with Anuar. This secret love affair is forbidden as Anuar is from a different tribe. Suliman gets in a heated debate with Jalila when he tries to make Layla marry Munir. This leads to Jalila getting very upset and telling Suliman to "Be a man for once!" Suliman becomes very upset and banishes Jalila from their village. I really didn't like this film because it had such a slow pace that I had a very hard time focusing. This may just have been because of the much slower pace of life over in Israel compared to the U.S. One thing that I did like about this film was the message that it delivered about the importance of tradition in this culture. Even though I would've left that village in an instant, Layla stays because it is tradition and she still, even through all of this, does not want to shame her family. I find that very interesting because it is something that is not prevalent in the U.S.
Normative is different in different cultures
Red-1258 September 2020
Sufat Chol (2016) is an Israeli movie that was shown in the U.S. with the title Sand Storm. It was written and directed by Elite Zexer.
The film takes place in an area of Israel where the Bedouins live. (Truth in reviewing--I didn't know there were Bedouins in Israel. However, they make up 3.5% of the population.) The film is in Arabic, and no Jewish Israelis appear in it. There is one mention of houses being bulldozed, but that's the only sense that there's a majority population outside the village.
Lamis Ammar plays Layla, a intelligent young woman, who is in love with "someone from a different tribe." That's not OK.
Ruba Blal portrays Jalila, Layla's mother. Hitham Omari is Suliman, Layla's father and Jalila's husband.
Matters are a little confusing in the beginning, as a pickup truck arrives at a home. The load in the pickup truck is a new bed. It signals to us that Suliman has taken a second wife. The bed is their wedding bed.
We know that, for Muslims, having more than one wife is normative. However, as the plot develops, it's clear that other matters that are considered normative appear unacceptable by our standards.
In fact, the rules and restrictions of the village appeared medieval to me. I considered whether this was an Israeli propaganda film, showing to the world how primitive the Bedouins are. However, a close friend, who is knowledgeable about these matters, assured me that this is the reality of Bedouin life in Israel.
The restrictions the mother and daughter face are disturbing and grim. However, that's what makes up the plot of the film.
This movie worked well on the small screen. It has an anemic IMDb rating of 6.8. I wondered why this important movie had such a low rating. When I checked the demographics it became clearer. Men rated it 6.7, while females rated it 7.0. (As usual, male raters outnumbered female raters. In this case, it was two to one.)
I think even 7.0 is too low for this movie. I rated it 9.
The film takes place in an area of Israel where the Bedouins live. (Truth in reviewing--I didn't know there were Bedouins in Israel. However, they make up 3.5% of the population.) The film is in Arabic, and no Jewish Israelis appear in it. There is one mention of houses being bulldozed, but that's the only sense that there's a majority population outside the village.
Lamis Ammar plays Layla, a intelligent young woman, who is in love with "someone from a different tribe." That's not OK.
Ruba Blal portrays Jalila, Layla's mother. Hitham Omari is Suliman, Layla's father and Jalila's husband.
Matters are a little confusing in the beginning, as a pickup truck arrives at a home. The load in the pickup truck is a new bed. It signals to us that Suliman has taken a second wife. The bed is their wedding bed.
We know that, for Muslims, having more than one wife is normative. However, as the plot develops, it's clear that other matters that are considered normative appear unacceptable by our standards.
In fact, the rules and restrictions of the village appeared medieval to me. I considered whether this was an Israeli propaganda film, showing to the world how primitive the Bedouins are. However, a close friend, who is knowledgeable about these matters, assured me that this is the reality of Bedouin life in Israel.
The restrictions the mother and daughter face are disturbing and grim. However, that's what makes up the plot of the film.
This movie worked well on the small screen. It has an anemic IMDb rating of 6.8. I wondered why this important movie had such a low rating. When I checked the demographics it became clearer. Men rated it 6.7, while females rated it 7.0. (As usual, male raters outnumbered female raters. In this case, it was two to one.)
I think even 7.0 is too low for this movie. I rated it 9.
SandStorm
lileonhirth16 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This film is about a young Bedouin girl named Layla who is struggling to become free from old traditions, and trying to keep her love for Lamis a secret. Throughout the majority of this film Layla was trying her hardest to keep Lamis a secret from her family especially her mother. This film was not my favorite film I have watched. This film was extremely slow, and many of the scenes did not grab and hold my attention with something exciting. I like how this film took place in Israel because a few years ago I visited Israel, and I thought it was cool how I could relate to the locations and religion. One major theme in this film was how the main characters did not have much to do. In my opinion this made the film boring because there was not a lot action involved. There was only one conflict in this film which was how Layla was trapped between her secret love and her family. This whole film was tied around one main theme which was choice. I would recommend this film to someone who is not looking for a lot of action or exciting scenes.
Great Film
dertwonshuw-5135028 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Well acted and beautifully directed, the film has thoughtful pauses on the faces of the characters as they convey the story through their emotions and facial expressions. The action takes place in and around the family's village and almost exclusively in Suliman's compound. Suliman appears to love his family—his first wife and daughters—but, as others have mentioned, he is undone by what he thinks is the proper course. His wife and daughter are trying to tell him you don't "have" to do anything. The raw emotion of Layla sobbing as she realizes the sacrifice she must make to save her mother and her sisters is truly heartbreaking.
Great film
megmarshall-0375910 March 2021
I really enjoyed this very well made film. The actors did a great job portraying the characters. The main character, Layla, will stay in my thoughts for a long time.
Very sad how narrow many women's lives are and how few choices they have.
Watched on NF and thought I was watching episode 1 of a series so disappointed that the story is finished but the movie says it all really and the ending was not disappointing.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
