Written and directed by Elite Zexer, Sand Storm is Zexer’s fine debut film. The story focuses on traditions versus modernization at the world of the Bedouin; once fierce nomads of the desert, now permanently settled throughout the Southern desert region of Israel. Providing an insight into a culture foreign to most of us, Zexer’s tale follows a young woman on the verge of adulthood, whose forbidden love puts her at odds with her family and tribe. While centered around a strong theme of feminism and women’s right, Zexer’s film is successful because it does not practice judgement. Sand Strom is about people trapped in circumstances larger than what they feel they can handle; namely placing emotions against ancient traditions. And while quite early in the film it is clear that this drama cannot enjoy a happily-ever-after ending, we are left with a sense of hope -- that the next generation may be able to break boundaries and move on.
Filmmaker Zexer, a Jewish-Israeli woman, demonstrates a sensitive eye and a keen ear to a culture that is not her own. She directs the film with a confident hand. The cast is superb; especially noteworthy are the mother character, her daughter as well as the father.
Simple yet haunting, Sand Storm is a film to watch and meditate on. Like all good stories, the subject matter is very specific, yet one can find in it a universal theme.