Ratings

Profile photo for
Your rating:
IMDb rating Visit page
IMDb rating 6.2
Critic rating Average critic rating
Critic rating 2.5

Reviews

Add a review
Critic Glenn Kenny
rated 5

...while hardly perfect, a movie that frequentlydisplays surprising sensitivity and sensibility.

Read full review at Roger Ebert
Critic Katie Rife

Desert Dancer is based on the life of Afshin Ghaffarian (...), who was arrested by Iranian authorities after performing a dance number in the desert...

Read full review at The A.V. Club

Cast & Crew

Richard Raymond
Director
Freida Pinto
As Elaheh
Tom Cullen
As Ardavan
Nazanin Boniadi
As Parisa Ghaffarian

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Desert Dancer about? Toggle content

Desert Dancer tells the incredible true story of Afshin Ghaffarian, a young Iranian man who risked everything to pursue his dream of becoming a dancer, despite the nationwide ban on dancing. Set during the volatile 2009 presidential election, Afshin and his friends form an underground dance company, learning from videos of iconic dancers like Michael Jackson and Gene Kelly. As they practice in secret, Afshin and his partner Elaheh also discover a deeper passion for each other. With breathtaking dance sequences and a powerful story of resistance and love, Desert Dancer is an unforgettable journey of courage and self-expression.

Where can I stream Desert Dancer? Toggle content

You can stream Desert Dancer on:

What movies are similar to Desert Dancer? Toggle content

Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as Desert Dancer include A Star Is Born, Begin Again, Bohemian Rhapsody, Whiplash, La La Land, Straight Outta Compton.

When was Desert Dancer released in theaters? Toggle content

Desert Dancer was released in theaters on March 20, 2015.