Desert Dancer
2014 film by Richard Raymond
title: "Desert Dancer" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["2014-films", "english-language-emirati-films", "english-language-romanian-films", "english-language-moroccan-films", "2014-biographical-drama-films", "british-biographical-drama-films", "emirati-biographical-films", "emirati-drama-films", "romanian-biographical-drama-films", "moroccan-drama-films", "2010s-dance-films", "films-set-in-iran", "films-set-in-2009", "films-shot-in-london", "films-shot-in-morocco", "films-shot-in-paris", "films-scored-by-benjamin-wallfisch", "relativity-media-films", "british-dance-films", "2014-drama-films", "biographical-films-about-dancers", "2010s-english-language-films", "2014-british-films", "english-language-biographical-drama-films", "2010s-emirati-films", "2010s-romanian-films", "2010s-moroccan-films"] description: "2014 film by Richard Raymond" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Dancer" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary 2014 film by Richard Raymond ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox film"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Desert Dancer |
| image | Desert Dancer.jpg |
| caption | North American theatrical release poster |
| director | Richard Raymond |
| producer | {{Plainlist |
| writer | Jon Croker |
| starring | {{Plainlist |
| music | Benjamin Wallfisch |
| cinematography | Carlos Catalán |
| editing | {{Plainlist |
| studio | {{Plainlist |
| distributor | Metrodome Distribution (UK) |
| released | |
| runtime | 104 minutes |
| country | {{Plainlist |
| language | English |
| budget | $4 million |
| gross | $432,560 |
| :: |
| name = Desert Dancer | image = Desert Dancer.jpg | alt = | caption = North American theatrical release poster | director = Richard Raymond | producer = {{Plainlist|
- Luis Astorquia
- Pippa Cross
- Izabella Miko | writer = Jon Croker | starring = {{Plainlist|
- Freida Pinto
- Reece Ritchie
- Tom Cullen
- Makram J. Khoury | music = Benjamin Wallfisch | cinematography = Carlos Catalán | editing = {{Plainlist|
- Chris Gill
- Celia Haining | studio = {{Plainlist|
- CrossDay Productions Ltd.
- Head Gear Films
- Lipsync Productions
- May 13 Films
- Morocco Film Assistance | distributor = Metrodome Distribution (UK) | released = | runtime = 104 minutes | country = {{Plainlist|
- United Kingdom
- United Arab Emirates
- Romania
- Morocco | language = English | budget = $4 million | gross = $432,560 Desert Dancer is a 2014 British biographical drama film directed by Richard Raymond and written by Jon Croker. Starring Reece Ritchie and Freida Pinto, the film is based on the true story of Afshin Ghaffarian, a young, self-taught dancer in Iran, who risked his life for his dream to become a dancer despite a nationwide dancing ban.
Synopsis
Set in Iran, the story follows the ambition of 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. The group learned the dancing from videos of Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev even though the online videos are banned. Afshin and Elaheh also learn much from each other and learned how to embrace their passion for dance and for one another.
Cast
- Reece Ritchie as Afshin Ghaffarian
- Joshan Ertan as voice of young Afshin
- Freida Pinto as Elaheh
- Nazanin Boniadi as Parisa Ghaffarian
- Tom Cullen as Ardavan
- Marama Corlett as Mona
- Simon Kassianides as Sattar
- Akin Gazi as Farid Ghaffarian
- Tolga Safer as Stephano
- Makram Khoury as Mehdi
Production
Richard Raymond makes his full-length film directorial debut working with acclaimed choreographer Akram Khan, whose work featured in the Olympic opening ceremony at London 2012. Raymond produced the film through his May 13 Films banner. Freida Pinto undertook an intensive training schedule for the role that comprised eight hours of dance rehearsals every day for 14 weeks. 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. Relativity Media acquired North America distribution rights to the film at 2013 American Film Market.
Release
Desert Dancer premiered in Germany on July 3, 2014. It opened the Ischia Global Film & Music Fest in Ischia, Italy on July 13, 2014.
The film premiered in Hong Kong on August 28, 2014 and in the United States on April 10, 2015.
Reception
The film received a mixed reception from critics. , the film holds a approval rating on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on reviews with an average score of . 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."
References
References
- (23 February 2016). "''DESERT DANCER'' (15)". [[British Board of Film Classification]].
- (14 February 2016). "Desert Dancer (2014) - International Box Office Results". [[Internet Movie Database]].
- "Interview with Afshin Ghaffarian | Cat On The Wall Webzine". Catonthewall.net.
- (September 21, 2015). "20 Great Dance Movies". backstage.com.
- (2015-05-25). "'Desert Dancer' Chronicles Iranian Underground Dance Troupe".
- "Desert Dancer: Real-life story of secret troupe illuminates Iran".
- T. H. R. Staff. (2015-04-08). "‘Desert Dancer’: Film Review".
- "Review: 'Desert Dancer' covers too much ground".
- Published Saturday, Oct 13 2012, 01:07 BST. (2012-10-13). "Freida Pinto: 'Dance training for Desert Dancer was daunting' - Bollywood News". Digital Spy.
- (2012-05-18). "65th Cannes Film Festival - Desert Dancer Photocall - Cannes Film Festival 2012: Stars step up red carpet style on day 2". NY Daily News.
- "Freida Pinto at Desert Dancer photocall at the Cannes Film Festival". Pinkvilla.
- Dave McNary. (2013-11-09). "AFM: Freida Pinto's 'Desert Dancer' Picked Up by Relativity (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
- Douglas, Edward. (2013-11-10). "Relativity Picks up Desert Dancer, Starring Freida Pinto". ComingSoon.net.
- Vorgestellt von Katja Nicodemus. "Drama: "Wüstentänzer" | NDR.de - Kultur - Film". NDR.de.
- "Cannes: 'Desert Dancer' to Open Ischia Global Film & Music Fest".
- "Desert Dancer (2014) Release Info". IMDb.com.
- "Desert Dancer".
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