Synopsis
Desert Dancer follows the true, inspiring story of a brave Iranian dancer, Afshin Ghaffarian. Set in Tehran during the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election and the start of the “Green Movement,” Afshin and a group of dancers (including “Elaheh” played by Freida Pinto) risk their lives and form an underground dance company. With what little access to the Internet they had, the group discovers music and dance videos that were banned from viewing in their country. The group learns various forms, techniques and styles of dance from timeless legends like Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev. Inspired by these newfound heroes, they stage their own performances and uncover a passion for dance and one another. While the political and cultural backdrop of Desert Dancer is very unique to the time and place, the struggle to overcome oppression— whether from a government or from within— proves universal.
Cast
Akin Gazi, Nazanin Boniadi, Freida Pinto, Reece Ritchie, Tom Cullen, Simon Kassianides, Marama Corlett, Gabriel Senior, Khalid Benchegra, Makram J. Khoury, Abdellatif Chaouki, Bamshad Abedi- Amin, Daniel Bass, Neet Mohan, Sam Kordbacheh, Fadoua Lahlou, Inen Nuiga, Tariq Jordan, Davood Ghadami, Hamza Kadri, Richard David Caine, Tolga Safer, Bethan Hanks, Alex Claus, Omid Gholami, Dana Haqjoo
Directors
Producers
Pippa Cross, Fabiola Beracasa, Izabella Miko, Luis Astorquia, 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, Compton Ross, Phil Hunt, Fenella Ross, Elliot Ross