The real-life story of a rebellious Iranian dancer trips over its own earnestness and clunky allegory
Loosely based on the life of Iranian dancer Afshin Ghaffarian, this flat-footed drama about the transformative power of art is crippled by earnestness and clunky allegory. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, where dance is forbidden, we first meet Afshin as a dance-loving child. His mother, in a handy piece of exposition, gestures to a mob of suited goons: “Those men over there – they are the morality police.” Her point being that if Afshin must express himself through the medium of dance, he should do it behind closed doors.
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Loosely based on the life of Iranian dancer Afshin Ghaffarian, this flat-footed drama about the transformative power of art is crippled by earnestness and clunky allegory. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, where dance is forbidden, we first meet Afshin as a dance-loving child. His mother, in a handy piece of exposition, gestures to a mob of suited goons: “Those men over there – they are the morality police.” Her point being that if Afshin must express himself through the medium of dance, he should do it behind closed doors.
Continue reading...
- 4/21/2016
- by Wendy Ide
- The Guardian - Film News
When a dancing icon like Hrithik Roshan praises someone’s dancing abilities and performance, there is no way that it’s anything less than spectacular. Such was what we now believe was Freida Pinto’s brilliance in her last release Desert Dancer where she plays a dance performer who’s the inspiration for the character of Afshin Ghaffarian. The film is based on his life story set at the time when dance and music was banned in Iran.
Hrithik Roshan seemed spellbound by her performance in Desert Dancer and sang her praises on a popular social networking site. Freida was very humbled by his kind gesture and shares her response here since she’s not very active on social media.
Says Pinto, “Gosh why would i ignore him? We’ve had a lovely email exchange. I did miss his call because I was travelling but it’s very kind and...
Hrithik Roshan seemed spellbound by her performance in Desert Dancer and sang her praises on a popular social networking site. Freida was very humbled by his kind gesture and shares her response here since she’s not very active on social media.
Says Pinto, “Gosh why would i ignore him? We’ve had a lovely email exchange. I did miss his call because I was travelling but it’s very kind and...
- 8/1/2015
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
Freida Pinto would like two poached eggs, but the trouble is, only one arrived with her avocado toast and salad. Protein, she says, is essential on a day like today. With impeccable manners, 30-year-old Pinto asks for her order to be corrected. I feel for the woman. She's working through lunch and talking with me at the restaurant in New York's Crosby Street Hotel during what's an already long press day for her new film, Desert Dancer. Source: Popsugar Photography / Allie Merriam Without further ado, another egg arrives. All is well. Getting Desert Dancer to theaters has taken some time. The movie, which began filming almost three years ago, is about a group of friends in Iran whose shared passion for dance leads to trouble. It's loosely based on the true story of the performer Afshin Ghaffarian. The film became something of a passion project for Pinto, who undertook a year of rigorous dance study,...
- 4/16/2015
- by Allie-Merriam
- Popsugar.com
In Desert Dancer, Freida Pinto plays a dancer who joins an underground dance company in Iran, where there’s a ban on the art. Freida Pinto On ‘Desert Dancer’ Pinto’s character Elaheh joins the passionate Afshin Ghaffarian (Reece Ritchie), who has great ambitions of succeeding as a dancer, despite his country’s ban. In many of her scenes, Pinto has […]
The post Freida Pinto On ‘Desert Dancer,’ Iran’s Ban On Dancing appeared first on uInterview.
The post Freida Pinto On ‘Desert Dancer,’ Iran’s Ban On Dancing appeared first on uInterview.
- 4/15/2015
- by Chelsea Regan
- Uinterview
This is an unexpected but beautiful, inspiring film. It tells the very human story of youth yearning to express themselves through art (in this case as dancers) who end up through no wish or foresight as socially dangerous protesters against a tyrannical, arbitrarily repressive government.
Iran is such an interesting country with one of the oldest cultures in the world. It was fascinating to see youth whose only wish was to create art being pulled into social protest. In recent years from abroad we have studied the various moves politically of their conservative oppressive government. I have always wondered what the youth, artists and intellectuals were and are going through there. This film brings us inside, up close.
"Desert Dancer" by Richard Raymond 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.
One of the most socially dangerous things they do is to go on the forbidden internet to look at online dance videos.
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.
"Desert Dancer" stars Freida Pinto, Reece Ritchie, Tom Cullen, Nazanin Boniadi and Makram J. Khoury. Director: Richard Raymond; Screenplay: Jon Croker, based on the life story of Afshin Ghaffarian; Producers: Pippa Cross, Fabiola Beracasa, Izabella Miko, Luis Astorquia
International Sales are being handled by 6 Sales. Rights have been sold to the following territories: Germany (Senator Enterta), Hong Kong (Cinehub), South Kore (Sookie Pictures), Lebanon (Italia Film), Russia (Exponenta Films), Spain (Betta Pictures), Turkey (Kurmaca Film), U.S.A. (Relativity Media).
Iran is such an interesting country with one of the oldest cultures in the world. It was fascinating to see youth whose only wish was to create art being pulled into social protest. In recent years from abroad we have studied the various moves politically of their conservative oppressive government. I have always wondered what the youth, artists and intellectuals were and are going through there. This film brings us inside, up close.
"Desert Dancer" by Richard Raymond 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.
One of the most socially dangerous things they do is to go on the forbidden internet to look at online dance videos.
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.
"Desert Dancer" stars Freida Pinto, Reece Ritchie, Tom Cullen, Nazanin Boniadi and Makram J. Khoury. Director: Richard Raymond; Screenplay: Jon Croker, based on the life story of Afshin Ghaffarian; Producers: Pippa Cross, Fabiola Beracasa, Izabella Miko, Luis Astorquia
International Sales are being handled by 6 Sales. Rights have been sold to the following territories: Germany (Senator Enterta), Hong Kong (Cinehub), South Kore (Sookie Pictures), Lebanon (Italia Film), Russia (Exponenta Films), Spain (Betta Pictures), Turkey (Kurmaca Film), U.S.A. (Relativity Media).
- 4/14/2015
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
Chicago – What does anyone understand about regimes outside their political or moral universe? The setting is Iran, the time is during their controversial 2009 elections and the medium is dance as expression. Combining those elements was the challenge for director Richard Raymond, in his debut film “Desert Dancer.”
The film creates an allegory, using dance as a symbol for breaking free of government oppression, and is based on the true story of Afshin Ghaffarian, portrayed by Reece Ritchie. Like the 2014 film “Rosewater,” it uses the 2009 elections in Iran as a backdrop, and the constant vigilance of the “morality police” as a arbiter. Director Richard Raymond and screenwriter Jon Croker tell a simple story, but punctuate that story with two vital dance numbers, that say more about the events than the events themselves.
Director Richard Raymond on Location for ‘Desert Dancer’
Photo credit: Relativity Media
The British born Richard Raymond has an superhero-like movie origin story.
The film creates an allegory, using dance as a symbol for breaking free of government oppression, and is based on the true story of Afshin Ghaffarian, portrayed by Reece Ritchie. Like the 2014 film “Rosewater,” it uses the 2009 elections in Iran as a backdrop, and the constant vigilance of the “morality police” as a arbiter. Director Richard Raymond and screenwriter Jon Croker tell a simple story, but punctuate that story with two vital dance numbers, that say more about the events than the events themselves.
Director Richard Raymond on Location for ‘Desert Dancer’
Photo credit: Relativity Media
The British born Richard Raymond has an superhero-like movie origin story.
- 4/9/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Stepping out for some promotional duties, Freida Pinto showed up at the Baccarat Hotel in Manhattan on Tuesday evening (April 7).
Joined by Director Richard Raymond, the “Slumdog Millionaire” was in the house for the premiere of her new flick “Desert Dancer,” and she looked stunning in a purple lace frock as she posed for photos.
“Desert Dancer” is slated to hit theaters on Friday, April 10th. Per the synopsis, “Afshin Ghaffarian risks everything to start a dance company amidst his home country of Iran's politically volatile climate and the nation's ban on dancing.”...
Joined by Director Richard Raymond, the “Slumdog Millionaire” was in the house for the premiere of her new flick “Desert Dancer,” and she looked stunning in a purple lace frock as she posed for photos.
“Desert Dancer” is slated to hit theaters on Friday, April 10th. Per the synopsis, “Afshin Ghaffarian risks everything to start a dance company amidst his home country of Iran's politically volatile climate and the nation's ban on dancing.”...
- 4/8/2015
- GossipCenter
Chicago – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 30 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new biography/drama “Desert Dancer” starring Freida Pinto and Reece Ritchie based on the inspiring true story of Afshin Ghaffarian!
“Desert Dancer,” which opens on April 10, 2015 and is rated “PG-13,” also stars Tom Cullen, Makram Khoury, Nazanin Boniadi, Simon Kassianides, Akin Gazi, Marama Corlett and Tolga Safer from director Richard Raymond and writer Jon Croker based on the life story of Afshin Ghaffarian.
To win your free “Desert Dancer” passes courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our social media widget below. That’s it! This screening is on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning! Completing these social actions only increases your odds of winning; this doesn’t intensify your competition!
“Desert Dancer,” which opens on April 10, 2015 and is rated “PG-13,” also stars Tom Cullen, Makram Khoury, Nazanin Boniadi, Simon Kassianides, Akin Gazi, Marama Corlett and Tolga Safer from director Richard Raymond and writer Jon Croker based on the life story of Afshin Ghaffarian.
To win your free “Desert Dancer” passes courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our social media widget below. That’s it! This screening is on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning! Completing these social actions only increases your odds of winning; this doesn’t intensify your competition!
- 4/4/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Copyright Desert Dancer Productions Ltd 2014
Relativity Studios has released a new, behind-the-scenes featurette for their upcoming film Desert Dancer. The movie stars Freida Pinto, Reece Ritchie, Tom Cullen, Nazanin Boniadi and Makram J. Khoury.
Check out the featurette now for an inside look at the cast’s dance rehearsals with acclaimed choreographer Akram Khan.
The video features Benjamin Wallfisch’s original score throughout.
Set in Iran, this powerful and unbelievable true story follows the brave ambition of Afshin Ghaffarian. During the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election, where many cultural freedoms were threatened, Afshin and some friends (including Elaheh played by Freida Pinto) risk their lives and form an underground dance company.
Through banned online videos, they learn from timeless legends who cross all cultural divides, such as Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev. Afshin and Elaheh also learn much from each other, most importantly how to embrace their...
Relativity Studios has released a new, behind-the-scenes featurette for their upcoming film Desert Dancer. The movie stars Freida Pinto, Reece Ritchie, Tom Cullen, Nazanin Boniadi and Makram J. Khoury.
Check out the featurette now for an inside look at the cast’s dance rehearsals with acclaimed choreographer Akram Khan.
The video features Benjamin Wallfisch’s original score throughout.
Set in Iran, this powerful and unbelievable true story follows the brave ambition of Afshin Ghaffarian. During the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election, where many cultural freedoms were threatened, Afshin and some friends (including Elaheh played by Freida Pinto) risk their lives and form an underground dance company.
Through banned online videos, they learn from timeless legends who cross all cultural divides, such as Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev. Afshin and Elaheh also learn much from each other, most importantly how to embrace their...
- 3/11/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Based on the life story of dancer Afshin Ghaffarian, Desert Dancer star Freida Pino and Reece Ritchie as the real-life Iranian dancer who risked his life to form an underground dance company in Tehran during the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election and start of the “Green Movement. Check out new images and the movie poster for the new movie opening April 10, 2015.
- 2/9/2015
- by info@cinemovie.tv (Super User)
- CineMovie
Unless you’re a character in Footloose, it’s easy to take dancing for granted in the U.S. But the characters of Desert Dancer don’t have that luxury. Set in modern-day Iran, the fact-based drama follows Afshin Ghaffarian, a young man (played by Reece Ritchie) whose gift for dance is stifled by an oppressive government. Instead of tamping down […]
The post ‘Desert Dancer’ Trailer: A Young Man Risks His Life for Art in Modern-Day Iran appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Desert Dancer’ Trailer: A Young Man Risks His Life for Art in Modern-Day Iran appeared first on /Film.
- 2/4/2015
- by Angie Han
- Slash Film
Save The Last Dance was one of my favorite movies when I was growing up. It wasn't just because Julie Stiles looked awesome dancing in circles, but the combination of dance and a struggling environment was a powerful one*. And that's what Desert Dancer, a new film by Richard Raymond, seems to bring to the table: dance and struggle.
The setting is Iran, and the story follows Afshin Ghaffarian and some friends (one of which is Elaheh, played by Frieda Pinto) who risk their lives and form an underground dance company. This is a true story, set during the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election, where many cultural freedoms, like dance, were threatened.
Through banned online videos, the group learn from timeless legends who cross all cultural divides, such as Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev. Afshin and Elaheh also learn much from each other, most importantly how to...
The setting is Iran, and the story follows Afshin Ghaffarian and some friends (one of which is Elaheh, played by Frieda Pinto) who risk their lives and form an underground dance company. This is a true story, set during the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election, where many cultural freedoms, like dance, were threatened.
Through banned online videos, the group learn from timeless legends who cross all cultural divides, such as Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev. Afshin and Elaheh also learn much from each other, most importantly how to...
- 1/27/2015
- by Laura Frances
- LRMonline.com
Frieda Pinto and Reece Ritchie star in the first trailer for Relativity Media’s Desert Dancer. See this film when it’s released in theaters this Spring.
Set in Iran, this powerful and unbelievable true story follows the brave ambition of Afshin Ghaffarian. During the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election, where many cultural freedoms were threatened, Afshin and some friends (including Elaheh played by Freida Pinto) risk their lives and form an underground dance company.
Through banned online videos, they learn from timeless legends who cross all cultural divides, such as Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev. Afshin and Elaheh also learn much from each other, most importantly how to embrace their passion for dance and for one another.
Desert Dancer opens in select theaters on April 10, 2015, and expands into theaters nationwide on April 17th, 2015.
Learn more about Desert Dancer on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desertdancerthemovie
Twitter: https://twitter.
Set in Iran, this powerful and unbelievable true story follows the brave ambition of Afshin Ghaffarian. During the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election, where many cultural freedoms were threatened, Afshin and some friends (including Elaheh played by Freida Pinto) risk their lives and form an underground dance company.
Through banned online videos, they learn from timeless legends who cross all cultural divides, such as Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev. Afshin and Elaheh also learn much from each other, most importantly how to embrace their passion for dance and for one another.
Desert Dancer opens in select theaters on April 10, 2015, and expands into theaters nationwide on April 17th, 2015.
Learn more about Desert Dancer on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desertdancerthemovie
Twitter: https://twitter.
- 1/27/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has unveiled its 2015 line-up which includes films representing 54 countries, 23 world premieres and 53 U.S. premieres. The U.S. premiere of Niki Caro’s McFarland USA will close out the 30th fest. Based on the 1987 true story and starring Kevin Costner and Maria Bello, the film follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. The unlikely band of runners overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well.
The festival runs from January 27-February 7.
Below is the list of World and U.S. Premiere films followed by the list of titles by sidebar categories.
World Premieres
A Better You, USA
Directed by Matt Walsh
Cast: Brian Huskey,...
The festival runs from January 27-February 7.
Below is the list of World and U.S. Premiere films followed by the list of titles by sidebar categories.
World Premieres
A Better You, USA
Directed by Matt Walsh
Cast: Brian Huskey,...
- 1/8/2015
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline
A self-acknowledged "showcase for Academy Award frontrunners," the Santa Barbara International Film Festival is often overlooked for the actual films that earn it festival status. An amalgamation of international discoveries and ’merica’s circuit highlights, the Sbiff curates a week of best-of-the-best to pair with their star-praising. The 2015 edition offers another expansive selection, bookended by two films that aren’t on any radars just yet. Sbiff will open with "Desert Dancer," producer Richard Raymond’s directorial debut. Starring Reece Ritchie and Frieda Pinto, the drama follows a group of friends who wave off the harsh political climate of Iran’s 2009 presidential election in favor of forming a dance team, picking up moves from Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev thanks to the magic of YouTube. The festival will close with "McFarland, USA," starring Kevin Costner and Maria Bello. Telling the 1987 true story of a Latino high school’s underdog cross-country team,...
- 1/8/2015
- by Matt Patches
- Hitfix
Richard Raymond's Desert Dancer, a drama about a young dancer in present-day Iran that stars Slumdog Millionaire's Freida Pinto, will kick off the 30th Santa Barbara International Film Festival at the historic Arlington Theatre on Jan. 27, 2015, the fest's organizers announced this week. Sbiff also announced that its Attenborough Award for Excellence in Nature Filmmaking, which hasn't been presented in five years, will go to the Cousteau family. Desert Dancer, which is based on the life story of Afshin Ghaffarian, will be released by Relativity Studios in select cities on March 20 before expanding wider on March 27.
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- 9/25/2014
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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