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, addiction 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

Daphne Dray

Carole’s first television appearance was at school when she was voted 'Britains Most Glamorous Schoolgirl'. A real break came in the shape of 'Sale of the Century', the popular tv show, when she became resident hostess. 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.

Introducing

Luciano Lupino

Joud Khalil

(& Zahid 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 their a cappella group, ‘the Wellingtones’ but his most memorable performances were surely the 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

Fahad Salman
as
Azad Bilgin
Originally from Kuwait, Fahad has been acting since he was 7 years old; both his parents are actors. Aged 12 he came to London, studying at the Richmond Drama School (2006-2008) and St Mary University Drama & Physical Theatre BA Hons (2008-2010).
Film: Hard Times Bus, Bell Bottom, Graphic Designs, Sumotherhood, The Chant of July, Shades of Desire.
Theatre: Hedda Gambler (Drayton Arms Theatre) Jumper (Lion & Unicorn Theatre) Till Death do us part ( Theatre Le Bout Paris) The Dumb Waiter ( The Little Theatre); I.S.I.S (Etcetera Theatre); Macbeth (US and Middle East tour); The Merchant of Venice (The Bread & Roses Theatre); The Tree ( Pentameters Theatre); The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre); Richard III an Arab Tragedy (RSC); Antigone (Southwark Playhouse); The Tempest (Ham House); A Midsummer Night's Dream (Chiswick House); Oedipus the King (Richmond Studio)

Lola Lo

Nicola Lovel

A song-writer and bass guitarist, Lola’s 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 seven awards in 2022.

Omar Aga

Aras Mahmoud

The Real Inspector Hound (Barons Court Theatre); The Effect (the Bridewell Theatre); Little Dorrit (Questors Theatre); You, Me and Noor (KDC Theatre); Haunting Julia (Questors Theatre); The Weird (Tower Theatre, London); Dragon Teeth (Questors Theatre); You Can’t Take It With You (Questors Theatre).

Introducing

Olivia Crouch

Anna Dray-Hepscott

Sam Shoubber

Teide

Born in Baghdad, Iraq as Ausama Shoubber, Sam developed his passion for the cinema at an early age and has been committed to the film industry ever since.
In the early 2010s, he won supporting roles in large Hollywood productions and has since worked on a range of short films, commercials, documentaries, TV series and other full length features. A dream came true in 2021, when he secured a role in, 'Wrath Of Man', providing an opportunity to work directly with one of his most admired filmmakers, Guy Ritchie.

Iris Hills Gilat

Clara

Born in Libya, beautiful actress Iris currently lives in London; she is a multi-linguist.

Film: Egypt, A Love Song (2022);

Aunt Dina (2023).

Abdelkader Chaou

Yaran

Issam Hadaee

Shadi

Ioannis Vamvakitis

Joram

IS fighter

Gareth Henry

IS fighter

Adil Malik

IS fighter

Muhammad Al-Yasseri

Kurdish bouncer

and featuring

Arthur

Basem

A working Lab affectionately known as ‘Bubbles’, Arthur 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.