1001 Nights Apart

Dancing is forbidden in Iran - yet some young people in Tehran try to teach themselves secretly. They know little about the history of Iranian dance before the revolution. Sarvnaz Alambeigi discovered rare film footage of the National Ballet of that time - how can the old and the new generation of dancers be brought together? and the new generation of dance dance together?

Directed by Sarvnaz Alambeigi, 1001 Nights Apart leans on a strong ensemble — Sigrid Burkholder — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2022.