One of the very few directors worldwide to win two Best Foreign Language Film Academy Awards, Iranian director Asghar Farhadi is in a class by himself. His latest film, “A Hero,” captured the prestigious Grand Pix at Cannes 2021 and was acclaimed as one of the year’s best international releases by many leading critics. Now, in an effort to showcase Farhadi’s earlier work, Film Movement Classics will release a stunning, director-approved 2K digital restoration of his first feature film, “Dancing in the Dust” (2003).
Shortly following their impulsive wedding, the naive, young Nazar is pressured by his family into divorcing his new wife, Reyhane, after rumors circulate of her mother’s possible sex work. Still deeply in love, he insists on paying back Reyhane’s marriage dowry despite his insolvency. Nazar is soon on the run from creditors and finds himself hiding out in the desert, where he meets a taciturn old snake hunter. Much to the man’s chagrin, Nazar insists on working with the hunter until he earns enough money to return to the city and make good on his mistakes.
Called “an eye-catching first film” by Variety’s Deborah Young, Farhadi captured Best Director, Screenplay and Supporting Actor at the Asia Pacific Film Festival and a Special Prize of Russian Film Critics at the 25th Moscow International Film Festival.
“Beautiful City” (2004), Farhadi’s sophomore effort that captured the Grand Prix at the Warsaw International Film Festival, has also been restored in 2K and will be released to VOD and leading digital platforms this October.
Never before released in North America, the poignant Iranian drama premieres on VOD and leading Digital Platforms on Friday, September 29th.
