Salam and welcome to another Movie and Television review. I realize now that I didn’t know much about the Iranian culture, so I was all the more grateful for this week’s film, Dancing in the Dust. After watching, I decided to dive deeper and investigate, and I wasn’t disappointed. I came across concepts like taarof and some of their dating customs -thanks, Dating Beyond Borders. But I digress, in Dancing in Dust, I got an honest look at how seriously one’s reputation, namely a woman’s reputation, affects not only her but everyone associated with her. Now let’s get it!

Set in Tehran, the capital of Iran, Nazar meets Rayhaneh on the bus,
takes out a loan to get married, picks out matching wedding bands, and finally goes on a date in the park. All in three weeks, give or take. Lol. No joke, my guy was missing in action from work for a month, so I’m guessing by the fourth week, his parents were like divorce this chick.

Nazar doesn’t look to be older than eighteen, and isn’t any smarter. At every turn, his actions cost somebody something. Rayhaneh her ‘purity’, the distant relative, Javad, a loan, the old man he so graciously dubbed ‘Heydar’, time and money, and for himself a finger. The only thing he halfway did right was pay Rayhaneh’s dowry. But even then, the money was technically stolen. My point is that Nazar was immature, constantly blaming others for his problems. Reminds me of me sometimes. Lol. But my question now is: why wasn’t Rayhaneh more cautious of this little boy who says ‘Chokh I love you,’ so easily? Maybe she was desperate to get away from the stigma of her mother’s occupation, and to secure herself, she married the first guy that came along. But then, where was her mother, with more life experience to dissuade her? Would Rayhaneh have listened? Who knows?

Women’s Purity
The sole reason for their divorce was that Rayhaneh’s mother was allegedly a prostitute. She probably was one, as there’s no man in the picture and she doesn’t own a business.
But still, I say allegedly because it was never proven or confirmed by either Rayhaneh or her mother. So it was all hearsay. Gossip. And that’s terrible because for all we know, it could have been said by someone who simply hated her guts that started the untruth. No, I wouldn’t do the job myself because 1. my personal belief disqualifies me from the profession, 2. the lifestyle takes a special individual to do it, 3. the health risk, 4. the emotional toll is too much, and finally, the stigma isn’t worth the money.
However, my issue is that fact that nobody ever shames the johns who would use her service, and it’s those same patrons, with wives and children, mind you, that attack her.

My guy ‘Heydar’ is wounded. He’s an escaped convict living on the fringes of society, catching snakes. Now Amri, Nazar’s alleged friend and cowork is a dick and an idiot. His idea for Nazar to get into ‘Heydar”s van was dangerous. If the old man was vicious, he could have killed Nazar and no one would have been the wiser. But luckily, ‘Heydar’ saw Nazar for the stupid kid he was and showed mercy. Sidenote: I was getting Shrek and Donkey vibes from ‘Heydar’ and Nazar.

Dancing in the Dust was pretty intense at some points, and other times comedic, but overall it was pretty good.

Anypoops, I give the film 4 out of 5 rose petals. Tell me what you think. Drop a like or comment if you enjoy the review.

p.s.

Sorry about the late post, I was a little under the weather, but I’m back now. See you next week!