Discover Gilles de Maistre’s Latest Family Tale After “Mia and the White Lion” & “The Last Jaguar”

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Fourteen-year-old Sun has published a book inspired by a story her grandfather used to tell her: the remarkable tale of Hadara, a nomadic child separated from his family at the age of 2 during a sandstorm in the desert, who was then raised by a pair of ostriches. However, when Sun is invited to visit the Sahara, she begins to realize that Hadara might be more than just a bedtime story.

Directed and written by Gilles de Maistre, whose documentary “The First Cry” was a César nominee in 2008, “The Child of the Desert” is based on the novel by Swedish journalist Monica Zak, “Hadara, the Ostrich Child,” which recounts the true story of a child lost in the desert in the early 20th century.

Known for weaving nature into the perspective of childhood in films like “Moon the Panda” and “The Wolf and the Lion,” de Maistre returns to the big screen to provide audiences with an immersive desert setting. The initial footage showcases a magnificent landscape, portraying the Sahara as both threatening and mesmerizing—a character in its own right. In this stunning backdrop, the project alternates between a contemporary quest and a historical narrative, emphasizing themes of heritage and family memory, with a strong focus on freedom.

This new film marks Gilles de Maistre’s sixth feature film, a project also involving his wife. The role of Sun is played by their daughter, who has previously appeared in “Big Five” and “The Wolf and the Lion.” The young hero, Hadara, is portrayed by three actors in rotation (Nahel Tran, Zayn Sekkat, and Nahïl Bouazzaoui), while Kev Adams takes on the role of Christian, a daring explorer. Rooted in a story inspired by true events, “The Child of the Desert” presents a compelling coming-of-age narrative that will captivate both young moviegoers and their parents.

Embark on an adventure with “The Child of the Desert,” in cinemas on April 8.

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