“The Sand Storm:” A Short Film Starring Ai Weiwei

“The Sandstorm” is a dystopian sci-fi set in the age of water wars. The short film stars artist Ai Weiwei in his acting debut as a smuggler, a fitting role for a man currently under government surveillance. Secretly filmed in Beijing, “The Sand Storm” is led by a small but influential team of filmmakers, including writer and director Jason Wishnow and cinematographer Christopher Doyle. They worked on the ground in China and collaborated with artists worldwide, including the 28-piece string orchestra that recorded the film’s original score at Abbey Road, the legendary studio and shrine to the Beatles. From defying the rules to attracting global talent, the story behind “The Sand Storm” sounds like a movie plot itself. Almost finished but not quite ready for the public, “The Sandstorm” launched yesterday on Kickstarter.