Desert Dancer

PG-13

Released Apr 17, 2015

1 hr. 44 min.

Drama

List

32%

44 Reviews

Tomatometer

62%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In the volatile political and social climate of 2009 Tehran, Afshin Ghaffarian (Reece Ritchie) 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 (Freida Pinto) 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.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Mar 01

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Watch Desert Dancer with a subscription on Prime Video, rent on Fandango at Home, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Apple TV.

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

Danton M

Incredible dancing is worth your time! The storyline might be a bit heavy handed, but it presents a very timely message about the negative impact of religious conservative radicals on self-expression.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/23/24

Full Review

Frances H

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

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/14/18

Full Review

Audience Member

The story alone is magical

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/11/18

Full Review

peter b

At first it seems incredibly naive,but hey this a true story about a repressive regime and artists who will perform their art ...and maybe die.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This was a little slow, but overall an entertaining movie. The dance in the desert was beautiful and totally made up for the dramatic slower moments.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

enjoyed only the dancing scenes

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Richard Raymond

Director

Freida Pinto

Elaheh

Reece Ritchie

Afshin Ghaffarian

Tom Cullen

Ardavan

Nazanin Boniadi

Parisa Ghaffarian

Makram Khoury

Mehdi

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

7%

53%

Battlefield America

56%

82%

Spare Parts

TRAILER

for Spare Parts

84%

82%

The Good Lie

42%

57%

Step Up: All In

6%

49%

Battle of the Year

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critics Consensus: The Longest Ride Is a Bumpy Journey

View more photos

Wendy Ide

Guardian

It is montage heavy and toe-curlingly naive.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 21, 2016

Full Review

Nick De Semlyen

Empire Magazine

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

Rated: 2/5

Apr 21, 2016

Full Review

Geoff Pevere

Globe and Mail

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.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 17, 2015

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

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.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 3, 2021

Full Review

Bernard Boo

Way Too Indie

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.

Rated: 7/10

Mar 14, 2019

Full Review

Mae Abdulbaki

Punch Drunk Critics

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.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 14, 2018

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

In the volatile political and social climate of 2009 Tehran, Afshin Ghaffarian (Reece Ritchie) 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 (Freida Pinto) 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
Executive Producer: Sarah Arison, Ryan Kavanaugh, Tucker Tooley, Jason Beckman, Sally Greene, Rodika Zmikhnovskaya, Jeremy Cowdrey, Marina Fuentes, Mohammed Al Turki, Hamza Talhouni, Norman Merry, Peter Hampden, Rick Porras, Nigel Thomas
Screenwriter: Jon Croker
Distributor: Relativity Media
Production Co: Star Land kpc, Rostik Investment Group, BluePencilSet, 6Sales, May 13 Films, Lipsync Productions, Relativity, Sarah Arison Productions, Greene Light Films
Rating: PG-13 (Violence|Thematic Elements|Some Drug Material)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 17, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 14, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $153.5K

Most Popular at Home Now