palomita-15068 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.

logatherum Overall, I give this film a rating of 2.5 stars out of 5. I did not really enjoy it, but there were parts that I did enjoy. I thought that all of the actors were very talented and good at playing their roles. I liked the story line and how the film incorporated both traditional and modern elements. For example, the fact that Layla was in an arranged marriage is very traditional. However, the charters often had iPhones throughout the film, which was interesting for someone like me to see, as someone who lives in the US where technology is extremely important and a part of everyday life, but I would never even consider an arranged marriage as a part of life- because it is not, and is so rare for me to even see. So, for this film to have BOTH of these things as an important part of life was cool and definitely a new (global) perspective. Although, I did find the story line really confusing at times and what was going on. I think that it would've helped and been less confusing if the man that Layla was in love with and wanted to marry was a more prominent character. There was a lot of talk about him (good and bad) but once he finally showed up in the film towards the middle, he only popped in for a little and left (me) with the impression that he was going to make things better for him and Layla by convincing her parents to let him marry her (which didn't happen but I wish it did!) Speaking of the ending, I did not like it! I just wish there was a LITTLE more dialogue! I wish Layla would've looked at her sister who was peeking through at them, and reassured her that everything would be okay, because the three little sisters were really the real victims in this film, as well as Layla since they were all caught in the middle.

dertwonshuw-51350 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.

LeonardHaid 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?