Project Detail

The Dancer Upstairs

Synopsis

Based on the story of the Shining Path, the terrorist movement responsible for taking Peru to the brink, The Dancer Upstairs will be John Malkovich's directorial debut.

Peru in the mid-1980s is collapsing under the onslaught of a highly organised terrorist movement, and a man named Rejas (Javier Bardem) finds himself unexpectedly at the centre of the action.

Charged with the near-impossible task of identifying and capturing the mysterious leader Ezequiel, Rejas is hampered by the corruption of his superiors and a frighteningly complacent public. As daily bombings strike at the government's foundations, a surreal cocktail of martial law, savage violence and end-of-the-world gaiety grips the nation. Under severe pressure, and perhaps intoxicated himself, he falls for Yolanda (Laura Morante) his daughter's devastatingly beautiful ballet teacher, thus stumbling into a quiet warehouse on the capital's outskirts - and the very heart of the terrorist organisation.

Details

Year
2001
Type of project
Features
Format
35mm
Director
John Malkovich
Producer
John Malkovich
Executive Producer
John Malkovich
Editor
Mario Battistel
Screenwriter
Nicholas Shakespeare
Director of Photography
Jose Luis Alcaine
Sound
Antonio Bloch
Composer
Pedro Malgheas
Principal cast
Javier Bardem, Laura Morante

Categories

Production Status

Production Company

Lolafilms, S.A.

C/Velazquez, 12
28001 Madrid
Contact: Nadine Luque
19 Garrick Street
London WC2E 9AX
UK

T 020 7845 7900

Sales Company

Lolafilms UK Ltd.

Contact: Nicole Mackey
19 Garrick Street
London WC2E 9AX
UK

T 020 7845 7900

nicole.mackey@lolauk.co.uk

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