DANCE WITH ME
In Production
Synopsis
Based on a new novel of the same name, Dance With Me is a full-length feature film set in Syria in 2016, during the siege of Aleppo.
More than a love story, Dance With Me 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 world. 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
Awaiting blurb by Carole
Lola Lo
as
Nicola Labaton
A song-writer and bass guitarist, Lola’s first foray into acting was playing a spirit in ‘The Curse Of Minerva’, a short film by Graham Roos which won several festival awards in 2022.
She is the Director of Dance With Me.
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 Cathedral as a member of the Galilee choir.
At 13, he won a music scholarship to Wellington College, where he became renowned for outstanding 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 Mistofelees in CATS and in his final year, Tony in West Side Story.
He is an accomplished guitarist. @luciano.lupino
and
Arthur Bobby
as
Basem
When only 4 years old, working Lab Arthur Bobby was left alone when his 94 year old owner died. He was adopted by and became best friends with 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.
Looks are irrelevant but she needs the physique of a ballerina. We will body-double the right actress if she cannot dance.
No sex, no nudity, one impulsive kiss on the cheek to Joud and a slow dance (Argentine Tango).
Major support role
Actors required
Unpaid but 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)
40-55 male
Arabic look, Arabic accent, ideally Arabic speaking
Drunken, boorish, jealous.
Strong, threatening presence
Majorly featured in a single scene
Clara
(Daphne’s maid)
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.