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Rough Stage (2015)

Original title: Karmil pinnal

Documentary Duration 73:50

Maher, a former political prisoner, an electrical engineer by profession, but an artist at heart, is a man who starts a quest against the society in order to stage the first original contemporary dance performance in Palestinian history. But to do so he must overcome several obstacles – time, money, insured dancer, his disapproving family and friends, and cultural norms. Set in today’s most contested location, Maher’s story is at once a parable about a society in conflict, and a modern take on — and inversion of — "The Jazz Singer," where the real war is between dreams and tradition.

Director: Toomas Järvet

Keywords: marriage | creating a signature | applause | Arabian bachelors | Arabs | clashing beliefs | car ride | mother | mother-son relationship | emotional self-expression | View all »

Photos and Galleries (10)

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Main Data

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Production Firm(s) Exitfilm
Film Category Documentary, Portrait
Text / Dialogue araabia, English
Duration 73:50

First releases

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  • in cinema: 8.10.2015, Cinema Artis, Tallinn, Estonia
  • on filmfestival: 20.10.2015, IDFA - International Documentary Festival, Amsterd, Netherlands

Festivals, awards, nominations

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  • Prize, Annual Award of AV Division of Estonian Cultural Endowment (Estonia), 2015, Best Young Filmmaker: Toomas Järvet - for "Rough Stage"; Best Young Filmmaker: Maksim Golomidov - for cinematography in documentaries "Rough Stage" and "Anthill"
  • Award, La Rochelle International Film Festival (France), 2016, International competition - Jury Grand Prix
  • Award, Pärnu International Documentary and Anthropology Film Festival (Estonia), 2016, Best Estonian Documentary

Partners and Sponsors

  • Kultuuriministeerium
  • EFI
  • Eesti Kultuurkapital
  • ERR
  • Rahvusarhiiv
  • BFM
  • Kinoliit
  • Eesti Filmiajakirjanike ühing
  • Tallinnfilm