The Dancer Upstairs (2002)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

John Malkovich

Writers:

Nicholas Shakespeare (novel)
Nicholas Shakespeare (screenplay)

Release Date:

20 September 2002 (Spain)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller | Crime

Tagline:

An honest man caught in a world of intrigue, power and passion.

Plot:

A police detective in a South American country is dedicated to hunting down a revolutionary guerilla leader.

Plot Keywords:

Revolution | Police | Police Detective | Hit And Run | Firework

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Javier Bardem	...	Agustín Rejas
Juan Diego Botto	...	Sucre
Laura Morante	...	Yolanda
Elvira Mínguez	...	Llosa
Alexandra Lencastre	...	Sylvina Rejas
Oliver Cotton	...	Merino
Luís Miguel Cintra	...	Calderón
Javier Manrique	...	Clorindo
Abel Folk	...	Ezequiel / Durán
Marie-Anne Berganza	...	Laura
Lucas Rodríguez	...	Gómez
Xabier Elorriaga	...	Pascual
Natalia Dicenta	...	Marina
Wolframio Sinué	...	Santiago
Ramiro Jiménez	...	Sergeant Pisac
Montserrat Astudillo	...	Woman in Pick-up - Edith Pusanga
Galo Urbina	...	Indian 1 in Pick-up
Jairon Flores	...	Indian 2 in Pick-up
Chuen Lam	...	Major Kwan (as Lam Chuen)
José Antonio Izaguirre	...	Quesada
Isabel Prinz	...	Quesada's Wife
Ignacio Carreño	...	Quesada's Bodyguard
Benjamas Boonnak	...	Chinese Ambassadress
Tito García	...	Admiral Prado
Veronica Noboa	...	Model (as Verónica Noboa)
Luis Gaspar	...	Judge
Steve Emerson	...	TV Producer
Carlos Carrillo	...	TV Technician
Eusebio Lázaro	...	Father Ramon
Paulina Aguilar	...	Shanty Girl
Esteban Salazar	...	Shanty Policeman
German Nuñez	...	Manager (as German Núñez)
Pachacutic Chugchilan	...	Bomb Boy
Juan Carlos Vellido	...	Soldier 1 in Rejas' Office
Diego Naranjo	...	Captain Montesinos
Montserrat Iglesias	...	Student / Voice of Radio Announcer
Celina Casari	...	Maria
Maribel Rivera	...	Patricia
Ignacio Durán	...	Theatre Manager
Frida Torresblanco	...	Woman in Theatre
Ana Lozano	...	Vera
Lola Peno	...	Nurse
Javier Páez	...	Army Colonel
David Aguilar	...	Boy with a Poster
Raquel Rocha	...	Woman in Convertible
Alexis Rodrigues	...	Man in Convertible
Daniel Aguilar	...	CocaCola Cap
Yousaf Bokhari	...	Radio Announcer (voice)
Natalia Tarnawiecki	...	Radio Announcer (voice)
Carlos Thiebaut	...	Radio Announcer (voice)
Nuevo Repertorio	...	Theatre Group
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Vivian Agüero	...	Student (uncredited)
Nur Al Levi	...	(uncredited)
Yohana Cobo	...	Terrorista (uncredited)
Olga Dias	...	Woman in Café Esplanade (uncredited)
Ricardo Lopes	...	Journalist (uncredited)
Joana Loureiro	...	Lady (uncredited)
John Malkovich	...	Abimael Guzman (uncredited)
Devon Walker	...	Ballet Dancer Prodigy (uncredited)

Directed by
John Malkovich

Writing credits
Nicholas Shakespeare		(novel)
Nicholas Shakespeare		(screenplay)

Produced by
Yousaf Bokhari	....	line producer
Andrés Vicente Gómez	....	producer
Lianne Halfon	....	executive producer
John Malkovich	....	producer
Russell Smith	....	executive producer (as Russ Smith)

Original Music by
Alberto Iglesias

Cinematography by
José Luis Alcaine		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Mario Battistel

Casting by
Katrina Bayonas
Camilla-Valentine Isola

Production Design by
Pierre-François Limbosch		(as Pierre-François Limbosh)

Art Direction by
Pierre-François Limbosch		(uncredited)

Costume Design by
Sabine Daigeler		(as Bina Daigeler)

Makeup Department
Lucy Da Silva	....	assistant makeup artist: Ecuador
Manolo García	....	hair stylist
Ana Lozano	....	makeup artist
Mariló Osuna	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Pocho Álvarez	....	production manager: Ecuador
Adélaide Empis	....	production manager: Portugal (as Adelaide Empis)
Josean Gómez	....	production supervisor: Ecuador
Guiselle Jaramillo	....	unit manager: Ecuador
Rui Louro	....	production supervisor: Portugal
Ana Parra	....	unit manager: Madrid
Iñaki Ros	....	production manager: Madrid
Frida Torresblanco	....	production supervisor (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
João Cayatte	....	assistant director: Portugal (as Joao Cayatte)
Diego Falconi	....	third assistant director: Ecuador
César Fernandes	....	third assistant director: Portugal (as Cesar Fernandes)
Daniela Forn	....	second assistant director
David Martínez	....	first assistant director
Rita Rubio	....	third assistant director: Madrid

Art Department
José Avilés	....	prop buyer: Ecuador
José Carracedo	....	stand-by props (as Jota Carracedo)
Susana Fernández	....	art department assistant: Madrid
Roberto Frisone	....	art director: Ecuador
Fernando Garcia	....	construction manager: Ecuador
Juan Manuel Garcia	....	props assistant: Madrid
Serafin González	....	stagehand
Pablo Iturralde	....	stand-by props: Ecuador
Fernando Jiménez	....	construction manager: Ecuador
Javier López	....	propman: Madrid (as Fco. Javier López)
Marcelo Mejia	....	propsman: Ecuador
Laura Musso	....	set dresser: Madrid
Victor Rodríguez	....	graphic designer: Madrid
María Lourdes Rosero	....	assistant art director: Ecuador (as Mª Lourdes Rosero)
Nuria Sanjuan	....	art director: Madrid
José M. Serrano	....	prop buyer: Madrid (as José Mariano Serrano)

Sound Department
Paolo Amici	....	sound effects editor: Ecuador
Antonio Bloch	....	production sound
Italo Cameracanna	....	foley artist: Ecuador
Jordi Casugas	....	adr recordist: Ecuador
Fernando Cuesta	....	cable person: Ecuador
Bela María da Costa	....	sound editor (as Bela Da Costa)
Marco De Gregori	....	digital sound: pro-tools (as Marco De Gregory)
Enzo Diliberto	....	foley artist: Ecuador (as Enzo Di Liberto)
Sara Fijo	....	boom operator
Ángel Gallardo	....	adr recordist: Ecuador
Arturo Garcia	....	adr editor: Ecuador
Carlos Garrido	....	sound re-recordist
Diego Garrido	....	sound re-recordist: Ecuador
Antonello Giorgiucci	....	adr recordist: Ecuador
Ezio Marcorin	....	sound effects editor: Ecuador
Marco Marinelli	....	sound effects editor: Ecuador
Massimo Marinelli	....	sound effects editor: Ecuador
Daniele Quadroli	....	sound effects editor: Ecuador
Ricardo Viñas	....	consultant: Dolby
Ken Teaney	....	sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
César Abades	....	special effects technician
Reyes Abades	....	special effects
César Bustamante	....	special effects assistant: Ecuador
Alfonso López	....	special effects assistant: Ecuador
Juan Serrano	....	special effects technician: Reyes Abades SFX (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Jorge Calvo	....	digital effects: Mad Pix Company
Pilar Cienfuegos	....	3D artist: Mad Pix Company
Isaac de la Pompa	....	3D artist: Mad Pix Company (as Isaac De La Pompa)
Juancho Fernández	....	Inferno compositor: Mad Pix Company
Ramón Guzmán	....	Inferno compositor: Mad Pix Company
Juan Ramón Herrero	....	Inferno compositor: Mad Pix Company
Ezequiel Larru	....	Inferno compositor: Mad Pix Company
Rubén Villoria	....	3D artist: Mad Pix Company
José Miguel Zapata	....	3D artist: Mad Pix Company

Stunts
David Andrade	....	stunts: Ecuador
Mónica Consuegra	....	stunt artist: Madrid
Sergio del Var	....	stunt artist: Madrid (as Sergio Del Val)
Miguel García	....	stunt artist: Madrid
José María López	....	stunt artist: Madrid (as José Mª López)
Ángel Planas	....	stunt coordinator: Madrid
Manolo Torres	....	stunt artist: Madrid
Jorge Huergo	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Juan Aragonés	....	clapper loader: "b" camera, Portugal
José Luis Arcos	....	electrician: Portugal (as José Arcos)
Paola Ardizzoni	....	still photographer
Jaime Avellaneda	....	grip: Ecuador
Iñigo Bach	....	electrician: Madrid
Iñigo Bach	....	grip: Madrid
Joaquín Barrero	....	camera operator: making-of
Luis Chalacán	....	electrician: Ecuador
Cristobal Corral	....	still photographer: Ecuador
Rodrigo Cueva	....	grip: Ecuador
Luis Miguel Daza	....	key grip
Jon Elicegi	....	video operator
Juan C. Faidutti	....	electrician: Ecuador
Elías Fernández	....	electrician: Madrid
Augusto Gómes	....	electrician: Portugal
Alfredo González	....	electrician: Madrid
Luis Herrera	....	video operator: Ecuador
Aarón López	....	clapper loader: "a" camera (as Aaron López)
Emiliano Merino	....	gaffer
Francisco Javier Merino	....	electrician: Portugal (as Javier Merino)
Miguel Molina	....	electrician: Ecuador
Juan C. Moreto	....	electrician: Ecuador
Luis Muñoz	....	electrician: Portugal
Tote Navalón	....	focus puller: "b" camera
Ana María Ormaza	....	camera loader: "b" camera, Ecuador
Fernando Paredes	....	electrician: Ecuador
Félix Pascual	....	electrician: Madrid
Jimy Pazmiño	....	grip: Ecuador (as Jimmy Pazmiño)
Rui Poças	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Jako Raybaut	....	camera operator: "a" camera (as Jacques Raybaut)
Alfredo Salazar	....	video operator: Ecuador
Goyo Sánchez	....	focus puller: "a" camera
Joao Filipe Santos	....	electrician: Portugal
Fernando Silva	....	electrician: Portugal
Nicolai Soria	....	grip: Ecuador
Marcelo Vallejo	....	grip: Ecuador

Animation Department
Miguel A.S. Cogolludo	....	animator: Kandor Graphics
J. Fernández	....	animator: Kandor Graphics
O. Jiménez	....	animator: Kandor Graphics
D. Marcos	....	animator: Kandor Graphics
J.L. Navarro	....	animator: Kandor Graphics
R. Pérez	....	animator: Kandor Graphics
J.L. Rozúa	....	animator: Kandor Graphics
Manuel Sicilia	....	animator: Kandor Graphics (as M. Sicilia)

Casting Department
Tiago Mesquita	....	extras casting
Galo Urbina	....	extras casting assistant: Ecuador
Jorge Vivanco	....	extras casting: Ecuador

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jeremy Capilla	....	wardrobe assistant: Ecuador
Raquel del Val	....	wardrobe assistant (as Raquel Del Val)
Lily Flor	....	wardrobe assistant: Ecuador
Ana López	....	costumer
Rosa María López	....	seamstress: Madrid (as Rosa Mª López)
Silvia Meireles	....	wardrobe assistant
Ana Salazar	....	wardrobe assistant: Ecuador

Editorial Department
Irene Blecua	....	assistant editor: Eduador
Patricia Bonet	....	post-production assistant: Eduador
Elsa Fernández	....	second assistant editor: Ecuador
Ascen Marchena	....	assistant editor: Ecuador
Nino Martínez Sosa	....	second assistant editor: Ecuador
Simon Njoo	....	assistant editor: Ecuador
Dimas Ortiz	....	second assistant editor: Ecuador
Cristina Pastor	....	assistant editor: Ecuador
Aitor Tapia	....	second assistant editor: Ecuador
Nicholas Wentworth	....	executive in charge of post-production

Music Department
Pedro Alcalde	....	conductor
Yul Anderson	....	music arranger: "All Along the Watchtower"
Yul Anderson	....	musician: piano, "All Along the Watchtower"
Kolja Blacher	....	musician: violin
Javier Casado	....	musician: piano
José Luis Crespo	....	music editor
José Luis Crespo	....	music score engineer
Clarissa Farrán	....	score copyist
Raquel Fernández	....	assistant music editor
Raquel Fernández	....	assistant music scoring engineer
Christian Gómez	....	music coordinator: Ecuador
Juanjo Guillén	....	musician: percussion
Wolfgang Hoff	....	music studio manager: SFB - Berlin
Sonia Lozano	....	music production assistant
Ekkehard Stoffregen	....	music studio manager: SFB - Berlin
Dominik Wollenweber	....	musician: English horn

Transportation Department
Antonio Fernández	....	generator driver: Madrid
Juan Carlos Fuentes	....	caravan driver: Madrid (as J. Carlos Fuentes)
Julián Hernández	....	wardrobe truck driver: Madrid
Miguel Ángel López	....	electric truck driver: Madrid
Javier Montero	....	driver
Bernardino Villanueva	....	driver: camera van, Madrid

Other crew
Roberto Aguirre	....	location manager: Ecuador
Rita Almada	....	production assistant: Portugal
Maria Carmen Arellano	....	production runner: Ecuador (as Mª Carmen Arellano)
Juan C. Barahona	....	production assistant: Ecuador
Sonia Barral	....	production assistant
Olga Blázquez	....	production secretary
Sandino Burbano	....	floor runner: Ecuador
M. Conceição Cabral	....	production secretary: Portugal
Alberto Calderón	....	coach: Quechua
Paco G. Campoy	....	director: making-of
Carlos G. Castro	....	assistant: making-of
Ion Collar	....	production assistant: Madrid
Ana Paula Cruz	....	production assistant: Portugal
Victor Domingos	....	military advisor: Portugal
Steve Emerson	....	dialogue coach
Ana Escribano	....	contact liaison
Ana Escribano	....	production assistant
José Manuel Fernández	....	accountant
Daniel Ferreira	....	production runner: Portugal
Javier Gómez	....	production assistant: Madrid
Belen Goñi	....	assistant accountant (as Bélen Goñi)
Domingo González	....	continuity
Mary Jamison	....	adr dialogue coach: Ecuador
Lucila Lema	....	coach: Quechua, Ecuador
Roberto Mancino	....	production runner: Ecuador
Fernanda Marreiros	....	cashier: Portugal
Margarita McDermott	....	production coordinator (as Margarita Mcdermott)
Víctor Mínguez	....	production assistant: Madrid (as Victor Minguez)
Tito Molina	....	floor runner: Ecuador
Goyo Montero	....	choreographer
Pablo Núñez	....	main and end titles: Story Film
Renato Ortega	....	production coordinator: Ecuador
Verónica Parada	....	production secretary: Ecuador
José Pichel	....	location manager: Portugal
André Principe	....	production runner: Portugal
Mauricio Samaniego	....	floor runner: Ecuador
Fernando Silva	....	production runner: Portugal
Eva Sklar	....	publicist
Diogo Soveral	....	production runner: Portugal
Miguel Stocker	....	production assistant: Portugal
Valerie Vaca	....	production assistant: Ecuador
César Vallejo	....	cashier: Ecuador
Cristina Velasco	....	matchback assistant: Ecuador
Filipe Verde	....	production assistant: Portugal
James Ordonez	....	production liaison: Ecuador (uncredited)
José Ramón Zabaleta	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Fernando Méndez Leite	....	thanks (as D. Fernando Méndez Leite)
D. Luis Alfredo Muñoz	....	thanks: Head of Customs - Quito
Michèle Ray-Gavras	....	grateful acknowledgment: "State of Diege" by Costa Gavras
Cristina Rota	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Fox Searchlight Pictures (presented by)
• Lolafilms (presented by) (copyright owners)
• Mr. Mudd
• Antena 3 Televisión (in association with)
• Vía Digital (in association with)

Distributors

• Fox Searchlight Pictures (2002) (USA) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Italia (2003) (Italy) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox (2002) (UK) (theatrical)
• Filmfreak Distributie (2004) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Kinowelt Filmverleih (2003) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Lolafilms Distribución (2002) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Nu Visión de Argentina (2003) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Pyramide Distribution (2003) (France) (theatrical)
• Solo Film Verleih (2003) (Germany) (theatrical)
• UGC-Fox Distribution (UFD) (2003) (France) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Television (2005) (USA) (TV)
• Canvas (2004) (Belgium) (TV)
• Europa Filmes (2004) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Europa Filmes (2004) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Filmfreak Distributie (2004) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• LK-TEL (2004) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Sandrews (2004) (Sweden) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Mad Pix Company (digital effects)

Other Companies

• 2001 - Madrid  extras
• Administraçao do Porto do Douro e Leixöes  the producers wish to thank
• Asociación de Cineastas de Ecuador (ASOCINE)  the producers wish to thank
• Ayuntamiento de Quito  the producers wish to thank
• Bloch Sonido  sound equipment
• Camera Rent  camera equipment
• Carlos Culebras  walkie talkies
• Comando da Regiäo Militar Norte Portuguesa  the producers wish to thank
• Comunidad de Tandayapa  the producers wish to thank
• Conefe  set construction
• Congo Films  grip and electric equipment
• Cornejo  costumers
• Custom Film Effects  opticals (uncredited)
• Câmara Municipal do Espinho  the producers wish to thank
• Câmara Municipal do Matosinhos  the producers wish to thank
• Câmara Municipal do Porto  the producers wish to thank
• Câmara Municipal do Vila Nova de Gaia  the producers wish to thank
• DHL Worldwide Express  couriers (as DHL)
• Ejército de Ecuador-Batallon de Operaciones Especiales  the producers wish to thank
• Embajada de España en Ecuador  the producers wish to thank
• Estado Maior da Armada Portuguesa  the producers wish to thank
• Estado Maior do Exército Portugués  the producers wish to thank
• Estudios Cinearte  music studio (as Cinearte - Madrid)
• Estudios Cinearte  sound studio (as Cinearte - Madrid)
• Europcar  vehicles provided by
• Excmo. Ayuntamiento de Madrid  the producers wish to thank
• Fundación de Psico Ballet "Maite León"  the producers wish to thank
• Hotel Ipanema Porto - Oporto  accomodations
• Hotel NH Alcalá - Madrid  accomodations
• Hotel Santo Mauro - Madrid  accomodations
• Hotel Sol Verde - Espinho  accomodations (as Hoel Sol Verde - Espinho)
• Hotel Wellington - Madrid  accomodations
• I.C.T.  grip and electric equipment
• Inaluga Rover Rent - Portugal  vehicles provided by
• José Amaral - Portugal  picture vehicles
• KG Distribution  grateful acknowledgement: "State of Siege" by Costa Gavras, courtesy of (as K.G, Production-Distribution)
• Kandor Graphics  cartoon animation
• Karina Recalde - Ecuador  catering
• Legis Cine S.A.  payroll company
• Lola-Records  soundtrack available on (as Lolarecords)
• Mateos  props
• Mauricio García - Ecuador  vehicles provided by
• Orquesta Sinfónica de Madrid  music performed by
• Pentagono  insurance (as Pentágono)
• Policia Municipal de Madrid  the producers wish to thank
• Policia Nacional de Ecuador  the producers wish to thank
• Procoex  shipping agency
• Radioprogramas del Perú (RPP Noticias)  the producers wish to thank
• Rafael Hosteleria Internacional S.A.  catering (as Rafael Hosteleria)
• Sender Freies Berlin (SFB)  music studio (as SFB - Berlin)
• Sidecar  picture vehicles
• Smiling  grip and electric equipment
• Societysec  security
• Son Pour Son  Avid supplied by (as Son Pour Son - Paris)
• Sonart Audio  sound post-production (uncredited)
• Story Film-Pablo Núñez  main and end titles
• Story Film-Pablo Núñez  opticals
• Studio 16  sound effects: Ecuador
• Swissötel - Quito  accomodations
• Tayrona Entertainment Group  film production services
• Transportes Megino Bus Company  trucks provided by
• Valente Produções Lda.  extras (as Valente Produções - Oporto)
• Viajes Azor  travel agency
• Viva Vídeo  Avid supplied by (as Viva Video)
• Vázquez Hermanos  props (as Vázquez Hnos)
• Wolford Hosiery  the producers wish to thank (as Wolford)

Also Known As:

Pasos de baile (Spain)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, and for language.

Runtime:

132 min

Country:

Spain | USA

Language:

English | Quechua | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Finland:K-15 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | France:U | Germany:12 | Peru:14 | Spain:18 | UK:15 | USA:R | Canada:14A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Espinho, Aveiro, Portugal

Company:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Trivia:

The story is inspired by the Maoist insurgency in Peru known as the Shining Path. Its leader Abimael Guzmán, who was known by the nom de guerre President Gonzalo, was captured in an apartment above a ballet studio in the capital Lima in 1992. The ballet teacher Yolanda was based on Maritza Garrido Lecca, the woman in whose apartment Guzmán was found. Bardem's character was inspired by Benedicto Jimenez and General Antonio Ketin Vidal, the leading figures responsible for Guzmán's capture.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The camera that Bardem uses to take Ezekiel's picture at the military checkpoint is a either a Polaroid Model 95 made from 1948 to 1953, or the Model 95B was discontinued in 1958. The picture that Bardem holds is a square format SX70 color shot identified buy its square format and black square on the back. This picture which could not have come from the camera used by Bardem.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Revealing 'The Dancer Upstairs' (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

Awadouni

Round Up the Unusual Suspects!

The film's trailer, which rain endlessly for months in advance at my local art house, and the reviews, etc., have emphasized this as a political thriller. But in fact it's really in the tradition of "Casablanca," where politics is a constant background to only part of the hero's motivation. I did expect someone to say "Round up the usual suspects!"

Awkwardly in this day and age, the Latino actors in the film's unnamed Latin American country (it was filmed in Ecuador and Madrid) all speak (accented) English, with subtitles to indicate when characters are speaking an Indian dialect, i.e. when the hero lawyer/detective is using his heritage to solve the complex case of politically-motivated murders.

But it's the complex layers that make this more interesting than Costa-Gavras' didactic "State of Siege" that is repeatedly referred to as an inspiration, both to director John Malkovich and the revolutionaries, and making this akin to HBO's "The Wire" in showing how a flawed cop can stick to his professionalism amidst deadly-serious bureaucratic and real politics.

The cop's simplistically drawn Beverly Hills matron-type wife turns out to incidentally help him uncover a clue, as he gradually comprehends the cynicism of a revolution that uses unexpected types of cells for suicide missions, with resonance for the MidEast as well, as ideologues are more diabolically dangerous than criminals.

That the dancer is actually downstairs is emblematic of the film's genre confusion.