Forbidden Dance

2015, refugee crisis. The established Israeli choreographer Nir offers dance classes for refugees.There he meets the Syrian dancers Medhat, Mouafak and Haidar. The four of them dare to collaborate. Their personal stories are the core of the shows. 2025 marks their ten year anniversary. Nir proposes in the current political tense context to make their unique Israeli-Syrian narrative visible on stage. “Forbidden Dance” follows the process the entire creation process of the next show. We observe them facing the ugliness of the Middle Eastern conflicts in their lives. How will the world receive this piece and which impact will it have? They speak through dance and dance when words fail.

Back in Tel-Aviv after the last war, Israeli choreographer Nir, reflects on the impact of the Middle East in his life. In Berlin, Syrian dancers Medhat and Mouafak grapple with existential fears for their families in Syria, while queer Haidar confronts discrimination. The four embark on the journey of their third show. A dance piece, exploring their shared trauma, revealing for the first time the Israeli and Syrian narrative in public. Despite of the risks to their families, fears and personal struggles, the group unites in this artistic endeavor and dream of another Middle East? How will this collaboration be received by the world? They speak with dance and dance when words fail.