November 11, 2023
FILM: DANCING ON THE EDGE OF A VOLCANO
DIRECTED BY: CYRIL ARIS
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars (a capsule review)
By Dan Pal
The experience of making a film is an incredibly special one. Comradery develops. Friendships are formed. The entire time feels like being in a bubble. The outside world (except for maybe the weather) has no bearing on the creative project you are trying to make. I’ve gone through it a number of times and wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything. However, I’m not so sure how I’d feel if I went through some of the difficulties a film crew experiences as documented in Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano. This is a film about the making of a film while what is happening around the production is almost impossible to hide from.
In August of 2020, just before she was about to start work on her first film, a director must deal with the after effects of a series of explosions that rocks Beirut. The director must come to terms with the reality of whether she will be able to shoot her dream project or not. Cinematographers Cyril Aris and Joe Saade, follow the crew as they survey the damage to the city and their homes and begin to take stock of the difficulties that are in store for them. Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano captures all of the issues: the main actor struggling to get into the country to start filming, planes and helicopters flying overhead, storms, financial issues, power losses, and, oh yeah… COVID. As they struggle through the production they try to remain positive while questioning what an artist’s job is during a time of social/political crisis. Can they continue? Should they continue? They “dance” with their creativity, while the “volcano” could erupt again at any time.
This is a wonderful film that feels timely and timeless. All filmmakers and fans of movies should see this one!
Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano is having its North American Premiere at DOC NYC. It is available to be streamed via the festival’s website until November 26th. For tickets, go to https://www.docnyc.net/film/dancing-on-the-edge-of-a-volcano/.
FILM: DANCING ON THE EDGE OF A VOLCANO
DIRECTED BY: CYRIL ARIS
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars (a capsule review)
By Dan Pal
The experience of making a film is an incredibly special one. Comradery develops. Friendships are formed. The entire time feels like being in a bubble. The outside world (except for maybe the weather) has no bearing on the creative project you are trying to make. I’ve gone through it a number of times and wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything. However, I’m not so sure how I’d feel if I went through some of the difficulties a film crew experiences as documented in Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano. This is a film about the making of a film while what is happening around the production is almost impossible to hide from.
In August of 2020, just before she was about to start work on her first film, a director must deal with the after effects of a series of explosions that rocks Beirut. The director must come to terms with the reality of whether she will be able to shoot her dream project or not. Cinematographers Cyril Aris and Joe Saade, follow the crew as they survey the damage to the city and their homes and begin to take stock of the difficulties that are in store for them. Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano captures all of the issues: the main actor struggling to get into the country to start filming, planes and helicopters flying overhead, storms, financial issues, power losses, and, oh yeah… COVID. As they struggle through the production they try to remain positive while questioning what an artist’s job is during a time of social/political crisis. Can they continue? Should they continue? They “dance” with their creativity, while the “volcano” could erupt again at any time.
This is a wonderful film that feels timely and timeless. All filmmakers and fans of movies should see this one!
Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano is having its North American Premiere at DOC NYC. It is available to be streamed via the festival’s website until November 26th. For tickets, go to https://www.docnyc.net/film/dancing-on-the-edge-of-a-volcano/.