Sand Storm

Released Sep 28, 2016

1h 27m

Drama

List

93%

Tomatometer

43 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

In Southern Israel, a teen's (Lamis Ammar) forbidden love affair challenges the traditions of her Bedouin mother and father.

Critics Consensus

Sand Storm marks an impressive first feature for debuting writer-director Elite Zexer that offers a perceptive -- and crucial -- look at patriarchal traditions.

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Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

The Blue Lenses

There is a grim sense of inevitability that runs through Sand Storm, yet Jalila's incandescent spirit contains the hope that the old ways are soon to be a thing of the past.

Aug 25, 2018

Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

The movie is like a study in prisoner psychology.

Nov 10, 2016

Full Review

Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

It's set in the heart of the desert, but the disturbances of the quietly impressive "Sand Storm" rage not in the natural world but in the intimate corners of the human heart.

Oct 6, 2016

Full Review

David Bax

Battleship Pretension

As things progress, it begins to seem that such anger is partially what Zexer aims to provoke. And, from there, the empathy follows...

Jan 5, 2021

Full Review

Fernanda Solórzano

Letras Libres

It's not a naive story... It's the story of a dilemma and how a final decision is not always the most gratifying, but it's the one that will have significant repercussions in the long run. [Full Review in Spanish]

May 8, 2020

Full Review

Roger Moore

Movie Nation

Exquisitely frustrating domestic drama in a novel Bedouin setting.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 15, 2020

Full Review

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Terry M

A dreary, sad story of a stupid family who's father is bound by religious dogma.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

10/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I don't think a movie has ever evoked such visceral feelings of anger in me. It is a strong film, but I cannot give it 5 stars on principle. I was so disappointed in the outcome for Layla, but so proud of Jalila all the same. The writers had me very frustrated with Jalila in the beginning, and Suliman seemed endearing. But true character shines through in the face of hard decisions. Not sure I would watch again - I found the ending so deeply disappointing. Guess that's the whole point.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

david l

Sand Storm is an Israeli drama that depicts the difficult life of their Bedouin community and their problematic patriarchal family units. Depicting these two very different women, the mother and their daughter, and their complex relationship and different views was fascinating, but the movie not taking sides was ultimately not the best choice. The movie is very well written, but limited in scope.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

georgan g

Hard to watch. Good acting that shows the truth about patriarchal societies.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It took me a lot to care for what has happening for most of the movie and the movie is not that long. Drags like a dead mule. I am the one to blame for trying to watch this "art" films that think showing others culture for 1 hour and a half is enough.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Women must build their own way of life instead of being a serf by men. Layla is a strong girl like her mother. Unfortunately, Layla's faith not as good as her guts. A movie with a deeper meaning of a woman psychologically in a world of masculine supervisor. Polygamy sometimes can be offending for women because women have heartburning in their personalities.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

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Elite Zexer

Director

Lamis Ammar

Layla

Ruba Blal

Jalila

Haitham Alomari

Suliman

Khadija Al Akel

Tasnim

Jalal Masrwa

Anwar

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Synopsis

In Southern Israel, a teen's (Lamis Ammar) forbidden love affair challenges the traditions of her Bedouin mother and father.

Director: Elite Zexer
Screenwriter: Elite Zexer
Distributor: Kino Lorber
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Arabic
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 28, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 4, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $64.0K
Runtime: 1h 27m