SCREENING OF THE DESERT FLOWER
As part of the TIFF special screenings the film Desert Flower was shown on Sunday November 15th at the Olympion Cinema. The theatre was packed and the tone was clearly emotional when TIFF President, Georges Corraface, declared that if there was something that gave cinema its meaning, it was people’s stories which teach us the power, endurance and value of all human life. “Waris Dirie’s story is that of a woman who underwent terrible hardships and yet was able to transform all that darkness into light and hope. With this special screening, we at the Festival want to join our voices to hers to put an end to the horrendous circumcision of girls, a tradition that cannot possibly continue into the 21st century and has no place in a civilized world.”
Director Sherry Hormann, cameraman Ken Kelsch and Waris Dirie thanked the audience and the Festival for the special screening. “When I met Waris for the first time, she told me to make a film that would make people laugh and cry at the same time. Watch the film and remember that this is a true story. A story that has changed my life, a film about and for women, a film for men who truly love women, a film about human nature, a film for everybody”, Hormann said. Loud applause broke out when Waris Dirie went on to say: “Open your hearts and your eyes and try not just to watch the film but to live it as a real life experience.”
