An amazing journey, facinating transformation, and inspiring committment for change! ...Beautifully portrayed by a great actress. ( P.S. Kev's PICkS : For an eye-opening cross-cultural contrast,.. follow seeing this picture with a viewing of the films "Hysteria", about the invention of the vibrator, and then "Orgasim Inc.", about the 'quest' for the female Viagra !! ... and then let us know what you think ? )

Good, but hard to watch for the content in places. An excellent way to lead people to an understanding of the problems inherent in the terrible custom of female genital mutilation. A real eye-opener. We did have to ffwd through some of it - just couldn't stomach the brutality. As others have said, though, there is humour and lightness as well. Nuanced and gracefully told.

Based on Waris Dirie's autobiography. Story of a young girl who flees an arranged marriage in Africa and ends up in London. A chance meeting with a photographer puts her on a wild ride to becoming a super model. Without giving too much away there is a scene that simulates genital mutilation of a young girl. Every woman in America should be forced to watch this horrible scene. Then they can appreciate the horror they put their male babies through when they are circumcised. Today the female version (which is far more extensive) is illegal here, and one day when we become more civilized male circumcision will be. Both are a hate crime, by men in Africa who feel women are property and women in America to their young boys because they hate men.

important subject matter done justice.

This movie tells a story, one that is very troubling, but the story needs to be told, there were parts that were very painful to watch.

A moving & powerful story of perseverance & courage. Despite centuries-old tradition, young Waris refuses marriage to a much older man. She makes the arduous journey, alone, through the desert to her grandmother in Mogadishu. Civil war in Somalia leads her to London. While living with diplomatic relatives, she is a maid - treated with disdain. Diplomatic relations b/w the UK & Somalia end. Waris is left in London, alone, destitute, without a good grasp of the language. She learns how to live on the streets. Eventually she befriends Marilyn; later the photographer, Terry Donaldson. Her life now moves upward, in fairytale fashion. She becomes an international supermodel. She uses her fame to bring worldwide attention to female mutilation for the first time, eventually becoming the UN spokesperson for this cause. The film also calls attention to adversities women in Waris' culture face daily. Her mother is beaten by her father for letting Waris leave before her wedding. Yet, she lets Waris go because she knows it gives her daughter a chance for a better life. When Waris tells of her "circumcision", the scene shot and narration are particularly poignant. Her mother had to return to home to care for her other children, leaving toddler Waris alone in the wild. Part of this may have been exaggerated for the screen but can women in the West even conceive of having to make decisions like that?? Liya Kebede gives a great performance as adult Waris. She projects Waris' innocence and indomitable spirit. Fine performances from Soraya Omar-Scego as young Waris, and Sally Hawkins as Marilyn. Excellent cinematography captures grand landscapes of Africa & London, and more intimate portrait shots. This film inspires due to the perseverance of its title character and the courage of the women she represents. It also opens our eyes to much larger global issues. Well worth watching, at least once if not more.

Four stars because of the heartbreaking story and the acting of Timothy Spall and Juliet Stevenson (who may have agreed to the film because of the importance of exposing a shocking Somalian custom).

This movie covers such a hard topic in an inspiring way through beautiful cinematography and great use of flashbacks. I really liked the original music score with this as well. It just fit. I recommend this for top 100 "must see" movie list.

Powerful without being overwhelming. About female genital mutilation and the ongoing affects, but also about friendship, respect, persistence, and closed communities. Good acting, good piece of cinema. I had questions about it, but was glad I saw it.

The story of an amazing woman.