The Dancer Upstairs

Based on a book by the author and scriptwriter Nicholas Shakespeare's own experiences as a journalist searching for Peruvian terrorist Abimael Guzman, The Dancer Upstairs is John Malkovich's long awaited debut as a film director, filled with action and romance in the beautiful enigmatic scenery of Peru. Set in an unnamed Latin American country in the 1980's, The Dancer Upstairs follows the police officer Agustin Rejas (Javier Bardem) in his 12-year-long attempt to track down the marxist terrorist leader Ezequiel (John Malkovichl. The long search gets the middle-aged Rejas to reconsider his way of life and questioning his career choice. His doubts doubles when he falls in love with his daughter's ballet teacher, Yolanda, played by Laura Morante (The Son's Room, 2001). The Dancer Upstairs was officially selected for the Venice Film Festival and the Sundance Film Fesitval, and opened to rave reviews. 33-year-old Javier Bardem, who plays Rejas, has starred in Before Night Falls (2000) and films by Pedro Almodovar and Jose Juan Bigas Luna. Åsa Gustafsson