Contemporary dance is not a given in the Middle East: an impression.

Dancing under Crossfire (preview)
Hayder Helo | Egypt/Iraq | 2009 | 20′ | Arabic, English and Kurdish-spoken | English subtitles
Three dancers, including Muhanad Rasheed, form the dance group Iraqis Bodies. The film shows them during the years of war atrocities and sectarian riots. The body may be vulnerable, but it is also the source of art and beauty. In 2007, Muhanad Rasheed performed at Dancing on the Edge with Iraqis Bodies, and this year he is performing in a choreographic work with the International Dance Theatre.

I Am My Mother
Mohammad Abbasi | Iran | 2008 | 1′ | no dialogue
An Iranian woman dances in her son’s body…

Beyond Dabke: a Finnish Dancer Teaches in Palestine
Lennart Laberenz | Germany | 2009 | 72′ | English-spoken | no subtitles
The young Finnish dancer and choreographer Milla Koistinen is the first international teacher to be invited to give lessons at the Palestinian School of the Arts in Ramallah. She has been asked to teach children and youngsters of the El Funoun Dance Troup, the most prominent dance company. In this school, they learn mainly Dabke; the traditional and ubiquitous Palestinian dance form, which is performed with great pride. She is immediately confronted by the cultural differences, which can be felt in the dance studio. El Funoun is also part of the international co-production Waiting Forbidden, which is being presented at the festival.

Porshia Duda – Special Live Act in Amsterdam  (Rialto)
Duda Paiva | Netherlands | 5′
With his own company Duda Paiva Company, he interweaves modern dance and puppetry with video images and live music. During the festival, Paiva is performing with Yaser Khaseb (Iran) in Cloud.