Backstage

The contemporary dance company ‘Without Borders’ is just about to end their Moroccan tour with a final performance in Marrakesh.

During their penultimate show at the Maison de la Culture of a little village in the Atlas Mountains, Aida, one of the six dancers, provokes Hedi – her partner on and off the stage who injures her under the horrified eyes of the other members of the troupe.

They have to leave in a hurry in order to seek urgent medical attention for Aida and take to the road traveling to the next village to see the only doctor in the area.

By the light of the full moon, their adventure begins on a road which goes through a huge, dense forest where, after an accident, the group decides to continue their journey on foot.

Seif, the youngest dancer, accidentally gets lost. The company take a short cut through the forest and decide to split up to look for him. The small search parties allow us to really get to know each individual, their preoccupations and the links that bind them. This unexpected, unusual situation leads the members of the company to reveal their true character.

Finally, after a long, arduous night, they reach the doctor’s house in the early hours of the morning and the new day hails in a different dynamic in the company.

Title: Backstage

Director: Afef Ben Mahmoud & Khalil Benkirane

Production: Lycia Productions, Mesanges Films, IOTA Production, Les films de l’Altaï, DUO Films, Metafora Production

Screenplay: : Afef Ben Mahmoud

Cinematographer: Benjamin Rufi

Editor: Skander Ben Ammar

Cast: Sondos Belhassen, Saleh Bakri, Afef Ben Mahmoud, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Abdallah Badis, Sofiane Ouissi, Salima Abdel Wahab, Hajiba Fahmy, Ali Thabet, Nassim Baddag

Genre: Drama

Production Year: 2023

Duration: 105 mins