# Desert Dancer

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2014 film by Richard Raymond

Desert Dancer North American theatrical release poster Directed by Richard Raymond Written by Jon Croker Produced by Luis Astorquia Pippa Cross Izabella Miko Parisa Dunn Starring Freida Pinto Reece Ritchie Tom Cullen Makram J. Khoury Cinematography Carlos Catalán Edited by Chris Gill Celia Haining Music by Benjamin Wallfisch Production companies CrossDay Productions Ltd. Head Gear Films Lipsync Productions May 13 Films Morocco Film Assistance Distributed by Metrodome Distribution (UK) Release dates 3 July 2014 (2014-07-03) (Germany) 10 April 2015 (2015-04-10) (United States) 15 April 2016 (2016-04-15) (United Kingdom) Running time 104 minutes[1] Countries United Kingdom United Arab Emirates Romania Morocco Language English Budget $4 million Box office $432,560[2]

***Desert Dancer*** is a 2014 British [biographical](/source/Biographical_film) [drama film](/source/Drama_film) directed by [Richard Raymond](/source/Richard_Raymond_(film_maker)) and written by Jon Croker. Starring [Reece Ritchie](/source/Reece_Ritchie) and [Freida Pinto](/source/Freida_Pinto), the film is based on the true story of [Afshin Ghaffarian](/source/Afshin_Ghaffarian), a young, self-taught dancer in [Iran](/source/Iran), who risked his life for his dream to become a dancer despite a nationwide dancing ban.[3][4]

## Synopsis

Set in Iran, the story follows the ambition of [Afshin Ghaffarian](/source/Afshin_Ghaffarian). During the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election, Afshin and some friends, including Elaheh, risk their lives and form an underground dance company.[5] The group learned the dancing from videos of Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and [Rudolf Nureyev](/source/Rudolf_Nureyev) even though the online videos are banned.[6] Afshin and Elaheh also learn much from each other and learned how to embrace their passion for dance and for one another.[7][8]

## Cast

- [Reece Ritchie](/source/Reece_Ritchie) as [Afshin Ghaffarian](/source/Afshin_Ghaffarian)

- Joshan Ertan as voice of young Afshin

- [Freida Pinto](/source/Freida_Pinto) as Elaheh

- [Nazanin Boniadi](/source/Nazanin_Boniadi) as Parisa Ghaffarian

- [Tom Cullen](/source/Tom_Cullen) as Ardavan

- [Marama Corlett](/source/Marama_Corlett) as Mona

- [Simon Kassianides](/source/Simon_Kassianides) as Sattar

- Akin Gazi as Farid Ghaffarian

- [Tolga Safer](/source/Tolga_Safer) as Stephano

- [Makram Khoury](/source/Makram_Khoury) as Mehdi

## Production

[Richard Raymond](/source/Richard_Raymond_(film_maker)) makes his full-length film directorial debut working with acclaimed choreographer [Akram Khan](/source/Akram_Khan_(dancer)), whose work featured in the Olympic opening ceremony at London 2012. Raymond produced the film through his May 13 Films banner. [Freida Pinto](/source/Freida_Pinto) undertook an intensive training schedule for the role that comprised eight hours of dance rehearsals every day for 14 weeks.[9] Photo call for the film was held at the Palais des Festivals during the third day of the 65th annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on Friday May 18, 2012.[10][11] [Relativity Media](/source/Relativity_Media) acquired North America distribution rights to the film [12] at 2013 [American Film Market](/source/American_Film_Market).[13]

## Release

*Desert Dancer* premiered in Germany on July 3, 2014.[14] It opened the [Ischia Global Film & Music Fest](/source/Ischia_Global_Film_%26_Music_Fest) in [Ischia](/source/Ischia), Italy on July 13, 2014.[15]

The film premiered in Hong Kong on August 28, 2014 and in the United States on April 10, 2015.[16]

## Reception

The film received a mixed reception from critics. As of September 2021[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Desert_Dancer&action=edit), the film holds a 32% approval rating on the review aggregator [Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes), based on 44 reviews with an average score of 5.3/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "*Desert Dancer* never finds an agreeable rhythm, resulting in a musical drama that doesn't deliver on the promised spectacle or political commentary."[17]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["*DESERT DANCER* (15)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180416200601/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/desert-dancer-film). *[British Board of Film Classification](/source/British_Board_of_Film_Classification)*. 23 February 2016. Archived from [the original](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/desert-dancer-film) on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Desert Dancer (2014) - International Box Office Results"](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=desertdancer.htm). *[Box Office Mojo](/source/Box_Office_Mojo)*. [Internet Movie Database](/source/Internet_Movie_Database). 14 February 2016. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201230042857/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/releasegroup/gr2043826693/) from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Interview with Afshin Ghaffarian | Cat On The Wall Webzine"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121003045139/http://catonthewall.net/?p=142). Catonthewall.net. Archived from [the original](http://catonthewall.net/?p=142) on 3 October 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["20 Great Dance Movies"](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/great-dance-movies-9057/). *backstage.com*. 21 September 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["'Desert Dancer' Chronicles Iranian Underground Dance Troupe"](https://www.voanews.com/a/best-dancer-chronicles-iranian-underground-dance-troupe/2789303.html). *Voice of America*. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Desert Dancer: Real-life story of secret troupe illuminates Iran"](https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/movies/2015/04/23/desert-dancer-real-life-story/24170953007/). *The Columbus Dispatch*. Retrieved 1 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** T. H. R. Staff (8 April 2015). ["'Desert Dancer': Film Review"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/desert-dancer-film-review-786841/). *The Hollywood Reporter*. Retrieved 1 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Review: 'Desert Dancer' covers too much ground"](https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/movies/2015/04/09/review-desert-dancer-covers-much-ground/25470291/). *The Arizona Republic*. Retrieved 1 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Freida Pinto: 'Dance training for Desert Dancer was daunting' - Bollywood News"](http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/bollywood/news/a430306/freida-pinto-dance-training-for-desert-dancer-was-daunting.html). Digital Spy. 13 October 2012. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201230042705/https://www.digitalspy.com/bollywood/a430306/freida-pinto-dance-training-for-desert-dancer-was-daunting/) from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["65th Cannes Film Festival - Desert Dancer Photocall - Cannes Film Festival 2012: Stars step up red carpet style on day 2"](http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/cannes-film-festival-2012-stars-heat-red-carpet-day-2-gallery-1.1080778?pmSlide=2). NY Daily News. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Freida Pinto at Desert Dancer photocall at the Cannes Film Festival"](http://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/discussion/freida-pinto-desert-dancer-photocall). Pinkvilla. Retrieved 9 January 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Dave McNary (9 November 2013). ["AFM: Freida Pinto's 'Desert Dancer' Picked Up by Relativity (EXCLUSIVE)"](https://variety.com/2013/film/news/afm-freida-pintos-desert-dancer-picked-up-by-relativity-exclusive-1200813383/). Variety. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201230042838/https://variety.com/2013/film/news/afm-freida-pintos-desert-dancer-picked-up-by-relativity-exclusive-1200813383/) from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Douglas, Edward (10 November 2013). ["Relativity Picks up Desert Dancer, Starring Freida Pinto"](http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=111249). ComingSoon.net. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201230042828/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/111249-relativity-picks-up-desert-dancer-starring-freida-pinto) from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Vorgestellt von Katja Nicodemus. ["Drama: "Wüstentänzer" | NDR.de - Kultur - Film"](http://www.ndr.de/kultur/film/Drama-Wuestentaenzer,wuestentaenzer100.html). NDR.de. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201230042757/https://www.ndr.de/kultur/film/index.html) from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Cannes: 'Desert Dancer' to Open Ischia Global Film & Music Fest"](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-desert-dancer-open-ischia-705162). *Hollywood Reporter*. Retrieved 27 July 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Desert Dancer (2014) Release Info"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2403393/releaseinfo). IMDb.com. Retrieved 2 November 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Desert Dancer"](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/desert_dancer). *[Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes)*. Retrieved 18 September 2021.

## External links

- [*Desert Dancer*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2403393/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [*Desert Dancer*](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=desertdancer.htm) at [Box Office Mojo](/source/Box_Office_Mojo)

- [*Desert Dancer*](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/desert_dancer) at [Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes)

- *[Desert Dancer](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/desert-dancer)* at [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)

- [*Desert Dancer* at Starland.pro](https://web.archive.org/web/20131018031708/http://starland.pro/en/home-en/movies/desert-dancer)

- [*Desert Dancer*](http://publikart.net/desert-dancer-un-film-de-richard-raymond/) at [Publikart.net](http://publikart.net/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Desert Dancer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Dancer) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Dancer?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.