Watch Life Is Waiting: Referendum and Resistance in Western Sahara

Life Is Waiting: Referendum and Resistance in Western Sahara is a gripping documentary that highlights the struggle of the people of Western Sahara, their fight for independence and their rights. It delves deep into the political, social and economic issues that have shaped the plight of the Sahrawi people over the last few decades.

The film captures the powerful and inspiring story of the Sahrawi's long-standing struggle for independence and self-determination in Western Sahara. It follows the personal narratives of several Sahrawi activists who have lived under Moroccan occupation for more than forty years. The film's title "Life Is Waiting" is both a message of hope and a statement of despair for those who have waited for so long to see their dreams of independence come to fruition.

The documentary opens with a brief history of Western Sahara, highlighting the tensions that linger between the various competing factions. It then reveals how, in 1975, Morocco took control of Western Sahara following the withdrawal of Spanish colonial forces. The film shows how the Sahrawi people were violently displaced from their homes and forced to flee to refugee camps in neighboring countries such as Algeria.

This documentary film is a powerful testimony of the hardships faced by the Sahrawi people in their attempt for a peaceful, democratic and independent future. As a result of Franco-Spanish negotiations, the UN-sponsored peace plan, called the "Baker Plan," was proposed in 2003, providing for a referendum on self-determination. However, this plan was rejected by the Moroccan government, as they did not want to surrender their control over the region. Today, Western Sahara remains one of the last colonized territories in Africa.

The movie sheds light on the sacrifices that the Sahrawi people have made in their fight for independence, and the impact that these sacrifices have had on their lives. Families remain separated, children grow up in the harshness of refugee camps, and people must endure widespread human rights abuses, arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings. The film also depicts the role that women have played in the liberation struggle. Sahrawi women have demonstrated extraordinary courage and leadership in the political and social spheres, paving the way for others to follow in their footsteps.

The cinematography is stunning as the documentary takes us on a journey through the vast deserts and sprawling refugee camps of Western Sahara. The film's director, Iara Lee, does an excellent job of bringing us into the heart of the Sahrawi community, telling their story through naturalistic interviews and striking images of their daily life.

Overall, Life Is Waiting: Referendum and Resistance in Western Sahara is a powerful piece of filmmaking that highlights the human rights abuses of the Sahrawi people and the ongoing struggle for independence. It's a testament to the resilience and courage of the Sahrawi people that they have remained steadfast in their struggle for over four decades. Through their eyes and their stories, we are brought closer to understanding the meaning of freedom, democracy, and human rights.

Life Is Waiting: Referendum and Resistance in Western Sahara is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.