Salam and welcome to another Movie and Television Review!
I realized while watching this week’s film that I didn’t know much about Iranian culture, so I was all the more grateful for Dancing in the Dust. Afterward, I decided to do a little digging of my own, and I wasn’t disappointed. I came across concepts like taarof and learned about some Iranian dating customs—thanks, Dating Beyond Borders!
But I digress.
In Dancing in the Dust, I got an honest look at how seriously one’s reputation—particularly a woman’s reputation—can affect not only her life, but the lives of everyone associated with her.
Now let’s get it!
Set in Tehran, the capital of Iran, Dancing in the Dust follows Nazar and Rayhaneh, a young couple whose whirlwind romance moves at lightning speed. Nazar meets Rayhaneh on a bus, takes out a loan to get married, picks out matching wedding bands, and goes on a date in the park—all within about three weeks, give or take. Lol.
No joke, my guy was missing from work for nearly a month. By week four, I imagine his parents were saying, “Divorce this chick!”
Nazar doesn’t look much older than eighteen, and unfortunately, he isn’t much wiser. At nearly every turn, his actions cost someone something. Rayhaneh loses her reputation, Javad loses money, the old man Nazar so graciously nicknames “Heydar” loses time and patience, and Nazar himself loses a finger.
The only thing he halfway did right was paying Rayhaneh’s dowry. Even then, the money was technically stolen.
My point is that Nazar is immature. He constantly blames other people for problems he helped create. Honestly, he reminds me of myself sometimes. Lol.
What I kept wondering throughout the film was why Rayhaneh wasn’t more cautious of this little boy who says, “Chokh, I love you,” so easily.
Maybe she was desperate to escape the stigma attached to her mother’s occupation. Maybe she saw marriage as a chance to secure a better future. But where was her mother? Surely someone with more life experience would have tried to talk some sense into her.
Then again, would Rayhaneh have listened?
Who knows?
Women’s Purity
The sole reason for Nazar and Rayhaneh’s divorce is the rumor that Rayhaneh’s mother is a prostitute.
She may have been one. The film never shows a husband, and she doesn’t appear to own a business. However, I still say allegedly because it is never confirmed by either Rayhaneh or her mother.
Everything rests on hearsay.
Gossip.
And that’s terrible because, for all we know, the rumor could have been started by someone who simply hated her.
Personally, I wouldn’t choose that line of work because:
- My personal beliefs would disqualify me from the profession.
- It takes a particular kind of person to live that lifestyle.
- The health risks are significant.
- The emotional toll seems overwhelming.
- The social stigma simply isn’t worth the money.
What bothers me, however, is that nobody ever seems to shame the men who use those services. It’s often those same patrons—with wives and children, mind you—who are the quickest to condemn the women involved.
Heydar and Nazar
My guy “Heydar” is carrying some serious wounds.
He’s an escaped convict living on the fringes of society and making a living by catching snakes.
Meanwhile, Amri—Nazar’s alleged friend and coworker—is both a jerk and an idiot.
His brilliant plan to have Nazar hop into a stranger’s van was incredibly dangerous. If Heydar had been a violent man, Nazar could have disappeared without a trace and nobody would have known what happened.
Thankfully, Heydar recognizes Nazar for the foolish kid he is and chooses mercy instead.
Side note: I was absolutely getting Shrek and Donkey vibes from Nazar and Heydar throughout their journey together.
Dancing in the Dust is intense at times, surprisingly funny at others, and ultimately a thoughtful examination of reputation, responsibility, and growing up.
Anypoops, I give the film 4 out of 5 rose petals.
Tell me what you think! Drop a like or leave a comment if you enjoyed the review.
Thanks for reading.
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