Desert Dancer Page #2

Just because you can't dance.

Look, this isn't a joke, Mona.

You get caught dancing, you go to prison.

You know what happened to my friend.

Just a few months in Evin,

and his hair was white.

We hear you, Naser.

Yeah, come on, Naser, no one wants that.

You know, when I dance,

I feel free.

You know,

it's like no one can take that away.

It's limitless.

- So, you really want this?

- I do.

Mehran, what do you think?

It's different.

An underground dance company.

No, I think it's a great idea.

We need somewhere to rehearse.

There's nowhere in the university.

What about your cousin?

She owns that old building, right?

- The printing factory?

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

That's empty.

Maybe there's somewhere there.

No one would know.

Except the Basij.

In a disused printing factory?

Tell her it's for extra studies.

Yeah, just say it's for

theater studies, something like that.

We just need one quiet room.

Something out of sight.

It's perfect.

Yes!

Yeah, no, of course, of course.

As long as it's safe.

Let's start tomorrow.

Are we sure it's going to be secure?

Is it going to be safe?

- What if we're found out?

- We'll be fine.

I'm more worried about cleaning that room.

We'll travel separately.

Hide the key outside.

It just feels like

it should be harder somehow.

It will be. You've seen Ardi dance.

Uh...

I'm amazing.

- Okay, ready?

- Yeah.

Let's go.

Ardi, come on, set the curve.

Okay, so there are some movements

that I think we should try.

What do you think?

Um...

Yeah, okay. So... Um...

You start with the leg.

Are we going to be doing it like...

So, this is the dance group.

How did you...

If you want to be smart,

maybe the last one

should take the key with them.

Relax.

I overheard you.

No one else knows.

If anybody else had,

I wouldn't have come.

So, can I audition?

Have we met before?

No.

I'm Elaheh.

Guys, who is this girl?

Okay.

So?

Uh...

Okay, sure.

Okay. Let's start.

Hey.

Hey.

So, uh, what do you think?

You have commitment.

But you need to work on technique, a lot.

Without that, you have nothing.

Who taught you?

My mother.

Before the revolution,

she was in the Iranian National Ballet.

In Tehran?

Of course.

Back then, they were the stars of their day.

Even Nureyev and Fonteyn came

and taught them Le Corsaire.

Wait. Rudolf Nureyev was here?

Doesn't seem real, does it?

Tell me more.

There were about 50 dancers.

Mainly from Iran and Europe.

Some Americans.

Then dance became the great big sin,

and it all came to an end.

Okay?

See you tomorrow.

London calling

Speak the slang now

Boys say wha

Gwan girls say what, wha

London calling

Speak the slang now

Boys say wha

Gwan girls say what, wha

Slam, galang galang gala

Gala gala gala lang galang gala

Shot gun, get down

Get down get down getda

Geta geta geta down get down geta

Too late, you down

Dun dun du dun duda

Ta na ta na ta na ta na ta na ta

Blaze a blaze

Galang a lang a lang lang

Purple haze

Galang a lang a lang lang

Blaze a blaze

Galang a lang a lang lang

Purple haze

Galang a lang a lang lang

Who the hell is hounding you in the BMW

How the hell he find you 147'd you

Feds gonna get you

Pull the strings on the hood

One paranoid youth blazin' thru the hood

Who the hell is hounding you in the BMW

How the hell he find you 147'd you

Feds gonna get you

Pull the strings on the hood

One paranoid youth blazin' thru the hood

Blaze a blaze

Galang a lang a lang lang

You know, there's this video I found online.

It's about Fosse.

It's interesting. I thought maybe

we should watch it together.

Afshin, are you asking me out?

I don't know. What... What if you said no?

Can you cook?

Uh, I make Ghormeh sabzi. It's pretty good.

Says who?

Maman.

- Hey.

- Hey.

How's it going?

My TV's down.

It's the election debate.

Everyone's watching.

Mousavi's on.

He's promising to disband

the morality police.

Man, I am telling you,

the president is history.

As the race for

Iran's presidential election heats up...

Brother.

How's Mama?

Is that why you think I'm here?

I don't know why you're here.

It's been a while, brother.

I feel like you've been avoiding me.

Sorry.

It's okay. You have to work hard.

Are you making friends?

I keep my head down.

Good.

Okay, you got me. I admit it.

I've come to ask for a favor.

People are making trouble at the elections.

Enemies of our president.

This university is full of them.

The Basij needs eyes on the inside.

Will you help me, brother?

My exams are in two months.

I can't. I have to focus. I'm sorry.

My brother, the engineer.

It's okay. I respect that.

Enjoy the food.

Hey, guys!

Hey. Stay here.

The rally is starting. Everyone's here.

What? Come over, show a little support.

Yeah, it's not going to change anything.

That's where you're wrong.

Come on.

Good. Come on.

Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!

Mousavi! Mousavi! Mousavi!

Mousavi! Mousavi! Mousavi!

How are the rehearsals going?

Uh, yeah, they're going okay.

It's a little hard for everyone to concentrate

with the elections going on.

Yeah. Well, you'll be

going to Paris a freer man.

Yeah.

How are you?

You have come from the rally, yes?

Look, we're just on our way home.

Do you plan on voting for Mousavi?

Yes.

That makes you a non-believer.

We're going home.

So you are married?

How long has it been?

- Please don't.

- I'm not talking to you.

Do you kiss her?

Tell me, how does she taste?

- Hey.

- No, whoa, whoa, whoa. whoa.

Look, we'll go. We'll go.

No. You will stay.

You look so innocent.

How much does a whore

like you charge, huh?

Tell me, is she worth it?

Naser!

- Naser!

- Naser!

Naser! No!

Guys, guys.

Naser?

Naser!

How is he?

He's going to be okay.

He just got out of surgery,

and they say he's going to be okay.

What did you do?

What did we do?

What did we do? What did they do?

But why would they do this?

Because they're animals, Mehran.

We need to be more careful.

We are careful.

Mmm.

You have it. Just let it go.

Try not to think about what happened.

Elaheh.

- Elaheh, come with me.

- No.

Elaheh, come with me.

- Elaheh.

- No!

She said no.

Look, it's okay. I'm her friend, so...

I'm her friend, too.

Naser's fine, by the way.

You know you're the best dancer

in the group.

Nothing changes that.

But you can't dance if you're on heroin.

What are you, the morality police?

I don't care if it's right or wrong.

All I care about is the group.

What's the point?

We both know this isn't going anywhere.

That's not true.

Then where is it going?

Tell me, Afshin. What's the big plan?

This isn't enough.

We should perform,

to an audience.

Look, it's one thing

for us to practice in here,

but what's the point?

You know, why dance if no one can see us?

Because it's safe in here.

Who'd want to see us?

Anyone who wants to come.

We'll find an audience.

Anyone who wants to be arrested.

All right, all right.

So where would we put on a performance?

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