Desert Dancer

Play trailer

Desert Dancer

PG-13,

2015,

1h 44m,

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Stream Now

Watchlist

31%

42 Reviews

Tomatometer

61%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

31%

Tomatometer

42 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

In the volatile political and social climate of 2009 Tehran, Afshin Ghaffarian and a group of dancers start a secret dance company in the Iranian desert, far from the prying eyes of the government police. Along with a woman named Elaheh who helps them refine their skills, Afshin and his company use what little Internet they can access to learn moves from banned videos starring legends like Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Stream

Prime Video

Watch Desert Dancer with a subscription on Prime Video, rent on Fandango, or buy on Fandango.

Critics Consensus

Desert Dancer never finds an agreeable rhythm, resulting in a musical drama that doesn't deliver on the promised spectacle or political commentary.

Read Critics Reviews

Wendy Ide

Guardian

Apr 21, 2016

2/5

It is montage heavy and toe-curlingly naive.

Go to Full Review

Nick De Semlyen

Empire Magazine

Apr 21, 2016

2/5

It strives to be a rousing tale of rebellion, but the over-earnest result is more slow shuffle than kicky capoeira.

Go to Full Review

Geoff Pevere

Globe and Mail

Apr 17, 2015

2/4

There would seem to be only one thing that the act of dancing cannot free the characters in Desert Dancer from, and that's the movie they're in.

Go to Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Feb 3, 2021

2/5

Contains important messages about human rights, cultural liberty and the significance of artistic expression but, despite the real-life source material, is weighed down with clichés.

Go to Full Review

Bernard Boo

Way Too Indie

Mar 14, 2019

7/10

On a grand scale, Ghaffarian's story of putting his life on the line to create art is poignant and inspirational. It's a stirring reminder of art's true vitality.

Go to Full Review

Mae Abdulbaki

Punch Drunk Critics

Aug 14, 2018

2.5/5

Bogged down by trying to be two very separate things and dragging its plot for a bit more time than it should have. A film with a lot of potential, but unfortunately underwhelming.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Han G

Jul 22, 2018

Not a bad effort. The dancing is good, and the glimpse into what a fanatical dictatorship does to the human spirit is true.

See more

Read all reviews

Richard Raymond

Director

Freida Pinto

Elaheh

Reece Ritchie

Afshin Ghaffarian

Tom Cullen

Ardavan

Nazanin Boniadi

Parisa Ghaffarian

Makram Khoury

Mehdi

Salt and Fire

33%

14%

Salt and Fire

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Salt and Fire

Frontera

54%

59%

Frontera

Watchlist

50 to 1

29%

71%

50 to 1

Watchlist

360

20%

32%

360

Watchlist

Ten Thousand Saints

58%

36%

Ten Thousand Saints

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critics Consensus: The Longest Ride Is a Bumpy Journey

View more photos

Synopsis

In the volatile political and social climate of 2009 Tehran, Afshin Ghaffarian and a group of dancers start a secret dance company in the Iranian desert, far from the prying eyes of the government police. Along with a woman named Elaheh who helps them refine their skills, Afshin and his company use what little Internet they can access to learn moves from banned videos starring legends like Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev.

Director: Richard Raymond
Producer: Pippa Cross, Fabiola Beracasa Beckman, Izabella Miko, Luis Astorquia
Screenwriter: Jon Croker
Distributor: Relativity Media
Production Co: Greene Light Films, May 13 Films, Star Land kpc, 6Sales, Lipsync Productions, BluePencilSet, Relativity, Rostik Investment Group, Sarah Arison Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Some Drug Material|Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 17, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 14, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $153.5K
Runtime: 1h 44m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings