The true story of explorer, journalist and writer Isabelle Eberhardt, originally from Switzerland. She moved to Annaba in Algeria in 1897 with her mother, who preferred to live in the Algerian neighborhoods rather than the European neighborhoods that she hated, and converted to Islam. Her lifestyle shocked the French colonialists: she dressed like a man, frequented cafes and smoke shops. Fascinated by the desert, she traveled the Sahara under the identity of Si Mahmoud, she published articles and books on the world she discovered in southern Algeria, strongly criticizing the colonial authorities. Arriving in El Oued, the soldiers prevent him from continuing his journey. She disobeys and overhears officers shooting Arab prisoners. Arrested, she was accused of espionage and was expelled from Algeria. She married Slimane, a Muslim non-commissioned officer in 1901. Having become French through this marriage, she could now reside in Algeria.
Cinematography
Sahara shot like a hallucination you can't wake from.
Acting
Mathilda May's stare could dismantle an empire.
Costume
The transformation from corsets to robes hits different.
Director
Ian Pringle
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Peter O'Toole filmed his scenes in five days, reportedly never fully understanding the script. Method chaos.
Eberhardt's actual journals were banned in France until 1954—too dangerous, too queer, too anti-empire even in death.
AU
FR
