Film · 2014

Desert Dancer

Name: Desert Dancer
Genre: Biography, Drama
Released: 2015-04-10
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 0.6
Cast: Tom Cullen, Nazanin Boniadi, Mourad Zaoui, Freida Pinto, Simon Kassianides

Directed by Richard Raymond · starring Tom Cullen, Nazanin Boniadi and Mourad Zaoui

1 h 38 min
15
Biography · Drama
UK
Released in the UK 21 April 2016

2.9 AverageMovieNCo
0.6 Users2 votes
5.2 Critics12 reviews

Watch trailer Where to watch · from £3.99 Rate it

Synopsis

Based on real facts. Directed by Richard Raymond. This British feature film is about a wonderful story of Afshin Ghaffarian, a young man who decides to risk everything to start a dance company, thus begin a classic story of young people who risk their lives to rebel against their government and fight for their dreams. Set in Iran, Afshin will meet the ban that is in relation to dance . The young man begin his dream in secret, through Internet and several social network, they will learn dances from artists like Michael Jackson, Pina Bausch and Rudolf Nureyev. Enjoying freedom of expression, they begin to act in the desert, far from the military police. Starring Freida Pinto, Reece Ritchie, Nazanin Bonidi and Tom Cullen.

Where to watch Desert Dancer

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Available now in the UK:

Apple TV buy£3.99

Availability checked on 8 November 2026.

The essentials

Runtime: 98 min1 hour and 38 minutes
Budget: $4mRelativity Media
Rating: 15Suitable only for 15 years and over

How long is Desert Dancer?: 1 hour and 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was Desert Dancer released in the UK?: It was released in the UK on 21 April 2016.
Who directed Desert Dancer?: Richard Raymond.
Who is in Desert Dancer?: It stars Tom Cullen, Nazanin Boniadi, Mourad Zaoui and Freida Pinto.
Where can I watch Desert Dancer?: In the UK it is available to buy on Apple TV.

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Cast

Full cast (16)

Director: Richard Raymond
Writers: Jon Croker
Producers: Mohammed Al Turki, Luis Astorquia, Phil Hunt, Ryan Kavanaugh

Videos and trailers

See the video

Official Trailer 'Desert Dancer' 2:2727 March 2016

Photos and posters

All 6 photos

+2 photosand 3 posters

Reviews

All 12 reviews

0.6 2 votes

What the critics say average 5.2 from 12 outlets

7.0 ABCJosé Manuel Cuéllar Here, everything is very conventional, but also very endearing, tender but rebellious time. Read
6.3 Chicago Sun-TimesMary Houlihan The powerfully choreographed dances also address the idea that artistic vision is a potent antidote to repression. Read
5.0 Screen DailyTim Grierson Though suitably moving in parts, Desert Dancer is more dutiful than inspired, reducing a worthy message to lukewarm sermonising. Read