After taking the top awards at the Locarno Film Festival's work-in-progress sections, SAND STORM had its North American premiere at this year's Sundance Film Festival, where it won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic award. The film was also shown in the Panorama section at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival and also won the New Directors competition at the Seattle International Film Festival.
The film is now scheduled to open in New York City (Sept, 28, at Film Forum) and Los Angeles (Oct. 7, at the Royal) and will expand nationwide during the fall. Synopsis: In a Bedouin village in southern Israel, Jalila prepares to host an awkward celebration: the marriage of her husband to a second (and noticeably younger) wife. Stoically concealing her inner turmoil while trying to maintain tradition, Jalila will brook no nonsense from any of her daughters on a day when the eyes of the entire village are upon them. But when Jalila discovers that her eldest, Layla, is involved in a clandestine relationship with a boy at school, all her suppressed emotion finds an outlet. Layla, more like her mother than she will admit, is convinced that reason and resolve will be enough to win her freedom, but village politics quickly close that door. As Layla, her mother, her sisters, and the men of the village all navigate territory strewn with emotional landmines, Sand Storm spins a riveting tale of subterfuge, secrets, and fealty.Watch the official trailer below:
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