AUTOBUS

Synopsis

After 15 years in exile in France, Kamal returns to Beirut determined to revive his school dance group. He and his friends are reunited and set out to give a new, westernized flavor to the traditional Dabkeh dance, injecting it with their modern, alternative spirit. But when they audition for the national Anjar Dance Festival they are rejected by the conservative judges, who accuse them of damaging Lebanon's last cultural icon. Undeterred, they defy the traditionalists by touring Lebanon aboard their old school bus, performing their new dance in villages. Philippe Aractingi's road-musical explores culture clashes and celebrates the enduring values of music, dance and friendship.

Genre

Comedy, Drama

Cast & Credits

• Scriptwriter:  Philippe Aractingi
• Cinematographer:  Garry Turnbull
• Cast (in alphabetical order):  Bsharah Attalah, Lilianne Nemri, Mounir Malaeb, Nada Abou Farhat, Nadine Labaki, Omar Rajeh, Rodney El Haddad