Pictures from Desert Flower

Filming in London

Photograph by Walter Wehner

Desert Flower crew members prepare to film Liya Kebede, portraying Waris Dirie, in a scene set in a London square.

Dirie had to navigate the unfamiliar streets of London alone after fleeing the closure of the Somali Embassy, where she was a servant, to avoid being sent back to Somalia.

New Style

Photograph courtesy The Match Factory

Waris Dirie (portrayed by Liya Kebede, left) considers a new look with a friend (portrayed by Sally Hawkins) in a scene from Desert Flower.

Being Photographed

Photograph courtesy The Match Factory

Waris Dirie (portrayed by Liya Kebede, left) is photographed by fashion photographer Terence Donaldson (portrayed by Timothy Spall) in his studio. Donaldson discovered Dirie while she was working at a fast-food restaurant in London. Dirie was initially uncomfortable being photographed.

Model Casting Call

Photograph courtesy The Match Factory

Waris Dirie (portrayed by Liya Kebede, center) waits with a group of other models at a casting call in a scene from Desert Flower.

A New Life

Photograph courtesy The Match Factory

Liya Kebede portrays model Waris Dirie in the film Desert Flower.

Dirie’s life story is one of remarkable transformation, from fleeing childhood trauma in Somalia and being homeless in London to becoming one of the first international “super models.”

The Interview

Photograph courtesy The Match Factory

One of the most famous models in the world at the time, Waris Dirie (portrayed by Liya Kebede, right) revealed in an interview that she had been subjected to female circumcision when she was a child in Somalia.

After her revelation, UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan appointed her as a UN Special Ambassador. Dirie now travels the globe for the UN and has created the Desert Flower Foundation to raise public awareness against female genital mutilation worldwide.

Sherry Hormann Directs

Photograph by Walter Wehner

Director Sherry Hormann (left) discusses a scene with Anthony Mackie and Liya Kebede during the filming of Desert Flower.

Liya and Waris

Photograph by Walter Wehner

Liya Kebede (left) and Waris Dirie hug on the set of Desert Flower.