Desert One

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Two-time Oscar-winner Barbara Kopple (Harlan County USA, American Dream) re-examines the story of Americans taken hostage by Iranian revolutionaries in 1979. Focusing on a rescue mission, the film plays like a thriller. Kopple draws upon never-before-heard audiotapes from inside the White House, as well as new interviews with hostages, rescuers, Iranians and even President Carter, whose 1980 election loss to Ronald Reagan was greatly influenced by this decisive chapter of history.


Official selection: DOC NYC

Screening as part of the Winter 2020 season of Pure Nonfiction.Tickets for Pure Nonfiction screenings are $18 for the general public and $15 for IFC Center Members. A Season Pass, good for all Winter 2020 films (Feb 11 – Mar 31) is available for $110 for general admission, and $90 for IFC Center Members, here.
  • Country USA
  • Language In English and Farsi with English subtitles.
  • Running Time 108 minutes
  • Distributor Powershausen
  • Director Barbara Kopple
  • Accessibility Assistive Listening, T-Coil

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.