DANCE WITH ME
In Production
Synopsis
Based on a new novel, Dance With Me is a full-length feature film set in Syria in 2016, during the siege of Aleppo.
More than a love story, it shines a light on ordinary people struggling to survive the horrors of a war zone, while dealing with very real issues - cancer, radicalisation and attitudes to homosexuality in a Muslim society. The thread of light, love and ultimately hope woven throughout this tapestry of tragedy is an old dog, Basem (trans: ‘one who smiles’).
This is an Independent film.
Starring
Carole Ashby
as
Daphne Dray
Carole’s first television appearance was at school when she was voted 'Britains Most Glamorous Schoolgirl'. A break came when she was contracted as the resident hostess on 'Sale of the Century', the popular tv show. She went on to hone her acting talents, appearing in such classics as 'Allo, Allo' and ‘Minder’. However, ‘Octopussy’ and ‘A View to a Kill’ forged her forever as a Bond girl.
Lola Lo
as
Nicola Labaton
A song-writer and bass guitarist, her first foray into acting was playing a spirit in, ‘The Curse Of Minerva’, a short film (with Sir Donald Sinden, Dame Janet Suzman, Fenella Fielding OBE) by Graham Roos, which won several festival awards in 2022.
Original score by
Simon Franglen
Introducing
Luciano Lupino
as
Joud Khalil
Brought up on a council estate in north east England, Luca attended the Durham Chorister school where he sang solos in the great Cathedral as a member of the Galilee choir.
At 13, he won a music scholarship to Wellington College, where he became renowned for outstanding acting, dancing and musical performances and the boundless energy and enthusiasm he brought to them. He was lead percussionist in the Wellington Symphony Orchestra and beat boxer in the Wellingtones but his most memorable performances were surely his beat-boxing, street-dancing Mr Mistoffelees in CATS and, in his final year, Tony in West Side Story.
He is an accomplished guitarist. @luciano.lupino
and featuring
Arthur Bobby
as
Basem
Affectionately known as ‘Bubbles’, Arthur Bobby was left alone in the world when his 94 year old owner passed away. He was adopted by - and became the best friend of - the old man’s grandson, so this really is art imitating life.
Anna Dray-Hepscott
(Daphne’s daughter, a ballerina)
17-21 female
UK accent, Caucasian
Ideally dance skills but not essential
Flirtatious, bossy, strong
No sex, no nudity, one impulsive kiss on the cheek to Joud, a one minute ballet solo and a slow Argentine Tango with Joud
Looks are irrelevant but she needs the physique of a ballerina. We will body-double the right actress if she cannot dance
Major support role
Actors required
Unpaid; all expenses covered
Aras Mahmood
(local butcher)
25-45 male
Arabic look, Arabic accent, ideally Arabic speaking
Young, fun-loving Kurd with a bright smile
Knowledge of Kurdish dance preferred but not essential
Must be capable of Kurdish dancing if taught
Major support role
Teide
(Daphne’s butler, rebel recruitment officer)
50+ male
Originally from Tenerife
Arabic look, Arabic accent, ideally Arabic speaking
Short in stature
Major support role
Azad Bilgin
(Kurdish leader)
35-55 male
Arabic look, Arabic accent, ideally Arabic speaking
Drunken, boorish, jealous
Strong, threatening presence
Majorly featured in a single scene
Clara
(Daphne’s cook)
50+ female
Arabic look, Arabic accent, ideally Arabic speaking
Short, rather stout
A gentle soul with a big heart
Minor support role
Contact us
if you would like to audition or have any enquiries, please use the form below.