Watch The Sand Storm

The Sand Storm is a 2014 Chinese film directed by Michael Mahonen, starring Hu Jianing, Peter Le, and Sophia McKinnon. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and won the FIPRESCI Prize for Best First Feature Film. The film takes place in the remote desert of Western China, where a small village is struggling to survive amidst the harsh and unforgiving terrain. The villagers rely on their meager crops and livestock to eke out a living, but a prolonged drought has left them facing starvation.

The story follows the lives of three main characters: a teenage girl named Xiaoyu, her father, and her uncle. Xiaoyu is a bright and curious girl who dreams of escaping her boring and oppressive life in the desert. Her father is a hardworking farmer who is determined to keep his family alive, even if it means sacrificing his own health and wellbeing. Her uncle is a charismatic and reckless man who has a troubled past and a tendency to make trouble.

As the drought drags on, tensions rise within the village. The villagers grow increasingly desperate and begin to turn on each other. Xiaoyu's father is accused of stealing water from the village well, and he becomes the subject of widespread ridicule and mistrust. Meanwhile, Xiaoyu's uncle stirs up trouble by bringing in outsiders who may or may not be able to help the village survive.

Throughout the film, the harshness of the desert serves as a metaphor for the struggles of the human characters. The sandstorm is a constant threat, sweeping in at random intervals and destroying everything in its path. The villagers are forced to battle not only the elements but also their own human frailty. The film is a haunting portrayal of the fragility of human life in the face of nature's unforgiving forces.

The cinematography in The Sand Storm is breathtaking, capturing the stark beauty of the desert landscape. The film is shot almost entirely in natural light, which lends an authenticity and rawness to the visuals. The performances by the cast are also strong, especially that of Hu Jianing as the young Xiaoyu.

Overall, The Sand Storm is a powerful and deeply affecting film that explores the human capacity for resilience and the inherent cruelty of the natural world. While it may not appeal to everyone, it is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.