Wilaya (Arabic: ولاية, also known as Tears of Sand[1]) is a 2011 Spanish film directed by Pedro Pérez Rosado. The film is a minimalist drama about a Sahrawi refugee family suddenly confronted with the death of the mother and the return of the younger sister, who had lived most of her life in Spain, reflecting the separation of many Sahrawi families.

Wilaya
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPedro Pérez Rosado
Written byPedro Pérez Rosado
Produced byJose María Morales
StarringNadhira Mohamed,
Memona Mohamed,
Aziza Brahim,
Ainina Sidagmet,
Mohamed Mouloud
Distributed byWanda Visión
Release dates
Running time
88 minutes
LanguagesHassaniya
Spanish

Plot

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Fatimetu is a Sahrawi girl who returns for the burial of her mother to the Sahrawi refugee camps after 16 years living in Spain. Her older brother Jatri tells Fatimetu that, in her last will, her mother left her both the family's jaima (tent) and the responsibility of taking care of her handicapped sister Hayat. Fatimetu reluctantly accepts the responsibility. She buys an old pickup truck and finds work transporting goods between the camps (wilayas), but Fatimetu is torn between life in the desert and the memories of her Spanish foster family and friends.[2][3]

Main cast

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Awards and nominations

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Sahrawi actresses Aziza Brahim and Memona Mohamed, during a press conference presentation of the movie "Wilaya", at the 10th Human rights film festival in San Sebastián, Spain, 26 April 2012

Filming locations

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The film was shot entirely at the Sahrawi refugee camps located in Tinduf, Algeria.

References

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  1. ^ "Tears of Sand ǀ 2011 ǀ ADFF Archive". Sanad Film Fund. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  2. ^ "Panorama - Wilaya". Berlinale.de. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  3. ^ "Panorama Internacional- Wilaya". ficg.mx. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  4. ^ "New Horizons Competition - Best Actress (split prize) – Memona Mohamed, Tears of Sand (Spain)". Abudhabifilmfestival.ae. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  5. ^ "Sección Oficial a Concurso: Wilaya". Festivaldemalaga.com. 2012-04-24. Retrieved August 10, 2012.(in Spanish)
  6. ^ "Palmarés oficial del 15 Festival de Málaga. Cine Español". Festivaldemalaga.com. 2012-04-28. Retrieved August 10, 2012.(in Spanish)
  7. ^ "Awards - Feature Film Competition". Luxorfilmfest.com. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  8. ^ "Saharawi people's hardships highlighted at Algiers International Film Festival". Sahara Press Service. Retrieved November 12, 2012.