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Desert Dancer

  • 20142014
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
1.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Reece Ritchie and Freida Pinto in Desert Dancer (2014)
Afshin Ghaffarian risks everything to start a dance company amidst his home country of Iran's politically volatile climate and the nation's ban on dancing.
Play trailer2:20
13 Videos
53 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • Music

Afshin Ghaffarian risks everything to start a dance company amidst his home country of Iran's politically volatile climate and the nation's ban on dancing.Afshin Ghaffarian risks everything to start a dance company amidst his home country of Iran's politically volatile climate and the nation's ban on dancing.Afshin Ghaffarian risks everything to start a dance company amidst his home country of Iran's politically volatile climate and the nation's ban on dancing.

IMDb RATING
6.2/10
1.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Richard Raymond
  • Writers
    • Jon Croker(screenplay)
    • Afshin Ghaffarian(based on the life story of)
  • Stars
    • Nazanin Boniadi
    • Freida Pinto
    • Tom Cullen
Top credits
  • Director
    • Richard Raymond
  • Writers
    • Jon Croker(screenplay)
    • Afshin Ghaffarian(based on the life story of)
  • Stars
    • Nazanin Boniadi
    • Freida Pinto
    • Tom Cullen
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 14User reviews
    • 32Critic reviews
    • 49Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos13

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:20
    Official Trailer
    Clip
    Clip 1:00
    Clip
    Clip
    Clip 0:38
    Clip
    Clip
    Clip 0:50
    Clip
    Tom Cullen
    Interview 8:10
    Tom Cullen
    Richard Raymond
    Interview 5:48
    Richard Raymond
    Richard Raymond
    Interview 5:29
    Richard Raymond
    Richard Raymond
    Interview 4:30
    Richard Raymond
    Reece Ritchie
    Interview 8:56
    Reece Ritchie
    Freida Pinto
    Interview 7:32
    Freida Pinto
    Nazanin Boniadi
    Interview 5:09
    Nazanin Boniadi
    B-roll
    Video 5:31
    B-roll

    Photos53

    Desert Dancer (2014)
    Desert Dancer (2014)
    Desert Dancer (2014)
    Desert Dancer (2014)
    Desert Dancer (2014)
    Desert Dancer (2014)
    Desert Dancer (2014)
    Reece Ritchie and Freida Pinto in Desert Dancer (2014)
    Desert Dancer (2014)
    Tom Cullen in Desert Dancer (2014)
    Reece Ritchie in Desert Dancer (2014)
    Tom Cullen in Desert Dancer (2014)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Nazanin Boniadi
    Nazanin Boniadi
    • Parisa Ghaffarianas Parisa Ghaffarian
    Freida Pinto
    Freida Pinto
    • Elahehas Elaheh
    Tom Cullen
    Tom Cullen
    • Ardavanas Ardavan
    Marama Corlett
    Marama Corlett
    • Monaas Mona
    Reece Ritchie
    Reece Ritchie
    • Afshin Ghaffarianas Afshin Ghaffarian
    Simon Kassianides
    Simon Kassianides
    • Sattaras Sattar
    Davood Ghadami
    • Basij Leaderas Basij Leader
    Richard David-Caine
    Richard David-Caine
    • Teymouras Teymour…
    Akin Gazi
    Akin Gazi
    • Farid Ghaffarianas Farid Ghaffarian
    Bamshad Abedi-Amin
    • Mehranas Mehran
    Makram Khoury
    Makram Khoury
    • Mehdias Mehdi
    Neet Mohan
    Neet Mohan
    • Javadi, Naseras Javadi, Naser
    Mourad Zaoui
    Mourad Zaoui
    • The studentas The student
    Sam Shoubber
    Sam Shoubber
    • Theatre Audienceas Theatre Audience
    Tolga Safer
    Tolga Safer
    • Stephanoas Stephano
    Dana Haqjoo
    Dana Haqjoo
    • Passport Officeras Passport Officer
    Alex Klaus
    Alex Klaus
    • Minder 1as Minder 1
    • (as Alex Claus)
    Chris Geden
    • Theatre Goeras Theatre Goer
    • Director
      • Richard Raymond
    • Writers
      • Jon Croker(screenplay)
      • Afshin Ghaffarian(based on the life story of)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A film based on an incredible true story. Desert Dancer is a classic hero story about brave young people risking their lives to rebel against their government and fight for their dreams. Set in Iran, where it is currently forbidden to dance, the story follows Afshin Ghaffarian and his friends who despite the dangers form an underground dance company where, via hacking into YouTube, they learn from the very best - Michael Jackson, Pina Bausch, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev. Reveling in the freedom of expression that dance gives them, they set upon putting on a performance deep in the desert, away from the watchful eyes of the military police. —Anonymous
    • tehran iran
    • man beaten
    • flashback
    • repressed culture
    • basij
    • 50 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Freedom Takes Courage.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • Music
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some drug material and violence
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      There is a misspelled word in the big banner the protesters carry in front of them
    • Connections
      References Dirty Dancing (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Louie Louie
      (Richard Berry (as Berry))
      Performed by Jack Ely

    User reviews14

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Entertaining & Compelling Story
    I viewed this movie after hearing about it through a friend. It didn't seem like a film I would usually be interested in after seeing some of the reviews from critics and users, but I gave it a chance anyway.

    I was very impressed, the story was great, the fact that it was based on a true story, and political facts made the film more put together and gave it a lot of depth.

    A lot of work and studying was put into this film, and I always give acclaim to those in the film industry who try hardest to put a story out there that is meant to be heard and for that reason I rate the film a 10.

    Definitely recommend everyone to see it, this is in no way a "boring" film.
    helpful•17
    5
    • mr-ronen-eitan
    • Apr 23, 2015

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 22, 2016 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United Arab Emirates
      • Romania
      • Morocco
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Until I Rise
    • Filming locations
      • Casablanca, Morocco
    • Production companies
      • CrossDay Productions Ltd.
      • Head Gear Films
      • Lipsync Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $155,271
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $40,763
      • Apr 12, 2015
    • Gross worldwide
      • $438,165
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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