Life Is Waiting: Referendum and Resistance in Western Sahara

Life is Waiting: Referendum and Resistance in Western Sahara, a 2015 documentary, spotlights the lingering and largely underreported conflict in Western Sahara. This poignant film features prominent Western Sahara figures including Mahmud Bahia Awah and Limam Boicha, who courageously strive for the freedom and autonomy of their homeland from Moroccan rule.

Director Iara Lee brings to life the undying spirit of the indigenous Sahrawi people despite enduring over four decades of occupation. Their fight for self-determination takes center stage in this captivating and heart-wrenching production. Lee expertly combines present-day footage, historical context, interviews, music, and art, crafting a riveting portrayal of the conflict's multi-dimensional complexities.

The stirring narrative is anchored by Mahmud Bahia Awah, an eloquent journalist and poet, and Limam Boicha, an inspiring peaceful activist. They represent the diverse voices of the Sahrawi people – some striving for a political resolution, others growing impatient and advocating for full-scale war.

The film takes its name, Life is Waiting, from the very essence of the Sahrawi people's condition. For decades, they have been waiting for a United Nations mandate for a referendum on their future – a promise made but yet to be realized. The Sahrawis, forced into a life of precarious anticipation and patience, bravely uphold their cultural identity and resilience, as they continue living - waiting for their right to decide their fate.

Life is Waiting does not gloss over the harsh realities of this forgotten conflict. The audience is made to witness the refugee camps in Algeria, where countless Sahrawis have lived in exile since the 1970s, when Morocco occupied Western Sahara following Spain's withdrawal. Yet, amid the harsh desert and the uncertainties of the geopolitical game, the Sahrawi people remain undeterred and dignified. Their cultural vibrancy is vibrantly showcased through art, music, and poetry, shedding golden hues on the parched edges of their lives in the camps.

Awah, with his profound poetry and insightful journalism, adds depth and promise to the Sahrawi cause, while, Boicha, with his relentless spirit, symbolizes the patient yet resilient anticipation of the Sahrawi people for their freedom. These two figures, along with other activists and community members, bring to light the complications of the conflict and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of indeterminate waiting.

At the same time, Life is Waiting offers an incisive critique of the international community's ineffectiveness in enforcing resolutions and mandates, particularly focusing on the United Nations' unfulfilled promise of a referendum. Through interviews with activists, former UN officials, and international law experts, the film urges the world to take notice of this simmering conflict and prods the conscience of global powers to act decisively.

The beauty of Life is Waiting lays not only in representing the sociopolitical struggle of the Sahrawi people but also in the celebration of their vibrant culture and undying spirit. The rhythm of their music and dance are recurring motifs in the documentary, creating a poignant contrast to scenes of conversation about the very real potential for war if solutions fail.

As an important document of a long-ignored conflict, Life is Waiting: Referendum and Resistance in Western Sahara is a must-watch for those interested in human rights, social justice, cultural endurance, and the power of the human spirit. More than just a documentary, it is a lifeline to an unheard voice, a spotlight on a forgotten corner of the world, and an undeniable call for understanding and action.

The film's overarching message is one of hope. Despite the odds, the Sahrawi people continue to dream of a day when life will no longer be about waiting but about fearless living on their own terms, in their own land. Above all, Life is Waiting celebrates the spirit of a people who, despite years of conflict, occupation, and uncertainty, always rise above and say "we are here, we are alive, and assuredly, we are free."