Project Detail

The Dancer Upstairs

Name: The Dancer Upstairs
Director: John Malkovich
Released: 2001

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

Production Status

Complete

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

Page updates

This page was last updated on 12th May 2025. Please let us know if we need to make any amendments or request edit access by clicking below.

Suggest amendments

Loyal butler Jonathan is sent to rescue the failing Blueberry Inn, unaware his blinkered Lord plots to leave it to him and three chaotic staff as a social experiment. When the Lord dies suddenly, Jonathan discovers he's a co-owner of the Inn and has just one month to save it. Battling sabotage from furious heirs, the mismatched team (and a pig!) rally their communities, securing the Inn's future against all odds.

Climate / Environment Comedy Romance Woman Director