Sandstorm needs a big screen to really come to life and coupled with the likelihood that the video version I watched was not as clean as it could be -- it really is not fair to scrutinise this film on its looks.

But I am with those who feel that the story is the most important element of a film. In fact it is the defining ingredient for me on whether I would call a piece `a film' or dismiss it as not being one at all. As such Sandstorm is saved. It is a film.

The credits show that the filmmaker Jagmohan wrote the script and edited the movie, so I am now not surprised that a great strength of this film is the story and the way in which it is told.

Sandstorm an inspiring story Indian art films have a reputation for being longer than those produced by their counterparts in the West and Sandstorm is no exception. I cannot say what sections could have been edited out, but the movie at two hours and five minutes, was a bit too long.

Despite this there were rewards for sticking with it the whole way. Little hints of underling mysteries are laced throughout the film. And when they are revealed they add such colour and spice.

As Sandstorm is a true story I cannot credit Jagmohan with more creative smarts than he actually has. But he is certainly deserving of praise for recognising the drama in the story of Sanwari Devi, deciding to film it -- and for the clever way he portrays it in Sandstorm.

The film is centred on the story of lower-caste potter Sanwari Devi who is a women's activist in Rajasthan, India. It shows how she came to be what she is through being gang raped by upper-caste men in her village.

The corruption of Indian politicians and the pervasiveness of the male dominated politics is exposed in this often heart rendering and always thought provoking film.

While damning of most men, Jagmohan (who by the way, is male), shows in Sohan, the husband of Sanwari Devi, an ideal person.

But I don't want to give too much of the actual story away. It is the sort of film that you can watch and then have a long conversation about afterward.

It's so tempting for me to launch into a long look at Sohan alone, about his devotion to his wife and the suffering he endured and perhaps still endures.

But that may be another film.

I would suggest that when you watch Sandstorm you have drinks or dinner after.

Don't cloud your mind with another movie. Sit and talk about it, then stop and think about it and remind yourself that although it may look like fiction -- it is real.

Sandstorm is at the Little Theatre today at 4 p.m. and at the Liberty Theatre on Tuesday at 8.30 p.m.

Behind the veil: Sandstorm, written and directed by Jagmohan BIFF MOVIES MPC