In our second incubation lab supported by Drosos Foundation, we have partnered up with Reem Naamani to experiment and pilot a digitized adaptation of a stage performance choreographed and conceived by Reem herself.

This lab is still underway, it started with a potential to adapt the work into a live-streaming product and as the context and market study informed us, we eventually ended up piloting a short film that positions itself as a different kind of content within the film market itself, particularly the MENA one.

It is a short ‘arthouse’ psychological thriller that was executed to include the sensations of immersive dance-theater that pulls the audience in, allowing them to feel like they are the protagonist themselves. The latter was achieved by a novel approach of utilizing choreographic-generating tools merged with film language as well as the cross-industry collaboration in sound design and use of site and camera filming. 

Furthermore, the short film expands on the use of text and language away from its usual manifestation with words, towards the use of dance and movement as tools for communication both between the characters and with the audience. Dance here is both the primary language and a protagonist. 

This independent short film, inspired by true events, examines the collective psychological state of a population continuously struggling to keep a hold of its sanity. 

Touching upon the clubbing scene and what it represents to the local Lebanese community as a suspension from chaos, LOOPHOLE takes us on an immersive journey of what was supposed to be just another night out in Beirut. But instead, as everything around continues to crumble, the simplest sound and movement become a trigger to an array of buried emotions just waiting to resurface.  

In a country where continuous conflict and trauma is left in the absence of resolution, can an old coping mechanism hold? And till when? 

More so, can sanity even be an option?

In 2022, we were approached by British Council Lebanon and Dongola, a local publishing house. Together with AMBIT, a UK based arts publishing house, we worked on their latest special edition tackling the subject of war.

This opportunity allowed us to publish an article about LOOPHOLE, our short film featuring local movement artists and dancers, for the very first time to the public. It focuses on the process of creation versus the topic of the film itself and its relation to war and trauma. 

Working on LOOPHOLE meant a great deal to us, the crew, and the artists, and to be able to make it happen despite covid restrictions and throughout the difficult situations Lebanon was going through. This experience and our collaboration with AMBIT, Dongola and the British Council Lebanon, allowed space for reflection, expression and catharsis, despite the chaotic and unstable environment we were facing. 

We thank AMBIT and Dongola for their trust, support and commitment, and for giving this opportunity to artists from the region to showcase their work.

“During these times rife with conflict and war, we seek a form of refuge in this issue of Ambit, through art, poetry, stories and videos that express the different emotional, mental and geopolitical rhythms of its authors. In this issue, contributors are revolting, grieving, refuting, dancing, processing, mourning, loving, and expressing the un-simplifiable mixture of feelings that come with war. Wars are designed to dehumanize and brutalize individuals, while launching hollow victories. Each submission carried the voice of a person longing to add humanity to the picture, and together, created a space wherein tenderness can flow.” - Zeina Chamseddine & Sarah Chalabi, Dongola Limited Editions, Beirut, Lebanon