The Vince film festival is currently underway, and the directors are vying for the Golden Lion (Leone d’Oro). In recent years, the popularity of Middle Eastern films in the film industry has increased and festivals pay special attention to these films. “Backstage” is one of these remarkable ones. In the realm of contemporary cinema, numerous films warrant critical assessments to understand their deeper nuances and contextual significances. ‘Backstage’, a film directed by the dynamic duo Afef Ben Mahmoud and Halil Benkirane, falls perfectly within this category. Their creation tactfully peels back the layers of reality to expose the intricate, often unseen backstage of human dramas.
The directors’ skillful narrative technique is evident right from the opening chapter. The verdant colours, body movements, and eclectic shots immediately transport viewers into the heart of the vibrant performance scene. The detailed set design, imbued with authenticity and real-world subtleties, mirrors the dizzying whirlwind that is the life of dancers shining on the stage. “Backstage” explores their world without a hint of romanticized hubris but rather deploys a more realistic approach.
The film takes audiences on a journey into the hidden depths of the performing stage, unveiling the chaotic and enchanting world that lies beyond the curtain. It delves into the lives and struggles of the cast, crew, specifically “Aida” (Afef Ben Mahmoud) and creatives involved in staging a theatrical production, showcasing their dedication, passion, and the personal sacrifices they make in pursuit of their artistic vision.
Choreographed in the labyrinth of the theatre’s stage, “Backstage” feels like an alternate universe where dancers come to life from nowhere, exuding raw and fervent emotions. Set within this setting, the dancer “Aida” unfolds layers of her characteristics that shine through her interactions with fellow dancers. Immersive, poignant, and profound; the performance of Aida in ‘Backstage’ offers a profound symbolism of the return to the essence of self, and the quest for identity in a world that constantly imposes roles to be played.
The directors use the jungle’s impenetrable darkness and untamed beauty to manifest the intricacies of the human psyche. The forest reflects the intrinsic turmoil of the characters battling internally. The creeping vines and the towering trees present an illustrative portrayal, an all-consuming metaphor for the labyrinth of mind where secrets are buried deep, and unseen dangers lurk.
A brilliant contrast is presented by the depiction of the night. The serenity and quietude of the night in ‘Backstage’ beautifully juxtapose the chaos of the jungle. The hushed whispers of the wind, the glowing moon in the ink-black sky, and the tranquil solitude serve as pacifying elements to the disorder. However, the reality is that the night, under its calm exterior, holds a sense of foreboding, an anticipation of the unseen and the unanticipated, making it as entrancing as it is eerie.
Afef Ben Mahmoud and Halil Benkirane, through their phenomenal night-time picturization, amplifie the feelings of uncertainty and fear. They also employ the classic cinematic tool of lighting. The use of low lighting increases tension and quickly becomes a character within itself. It’s the perfect counterpart to the rawness of the jungle, allowing the contrasting tones to beautifully cohabitate within the film, introducing an unrelenting tension that leaps from every frame.
Afef Ben Mahmoud and Halil Benkirane’s “Backstage” is not just the retelling of a story. Rather, it is a critique that brings forth the “performances” every individual must deliver in their walk of life. The film’s title, ‘Backstage’, metaphorically signifies the backstage of life where the actors presumably face their real selves.
As a viewer, you can anticipate a rollercoaster of emotions, plausible performances, and an immersive experience that will take you into the depth of human personality, his sorrow, agony, abandonment, insecurity – as what moves you up brings you down though. This is the reality of behind the glamorous moments of life. The invisible dark ones that bear life.
By providing a peek behind the curtains of theatre, ‘Backstage’ ultimately becomes a social commentary on existential angst, life’s pressures, and the incessant human battle to reckon with our true selves. Mahmoud and Benkirane successfully hold up a mirror to society, allowing audiences to reflect on their own lives by delivering an emotional, evocative, and introspective experience.
Through ‘Backstage’, directors Afef Ben Mahmoud and Halil Benkirane have taken an unflinching look at the human condition, crafting an insightful experience that lingers in the minds of the audience. Cinema, in its quintessential form, aims to strike a dialogue with its audience, and this film showcases this deftly, leaving spectators with questions on their own lives, identities and performances. “Backstage” is a must-watch, both for the prolific display of performance arts and its potent commentary on the unseen world behind the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry.
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