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.
DESERT DANCER follows the true, inspiring story of a brave Iranian dancer, Afshin Ghaffarian 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.
