Initiation

4 min.         Premiere 25. 12. 2020

Contemporary Dance, Short Film, Site-specific Dance

Cast

Concept: Mustafa Al Shalabi

Producer: Studio 8, Mustafa Al Shalabi

Choreography & Performance: Mustafa Al Shalabi

Film Director: Hiba Nabulsi

Assistant Director: Bader Helatat

Sound editing: Bader Helatat

Movement Advisor: Abd Al Hadi Abunahleh

Production adviser: Xiaoman Ren

Costume Design: Mustafa Al Shalabi

Set Design: Jawad Qumseih

Photography: Xiaoman Ren, Hiba Nabulsi, Reema Shatat

This production has been realized as part of “Choreography Creation Camp” (CCC) organized by Studio 8, with the support of Drosos Foundation, EUNIC Jordan and European Union in Jordan.

“Inspired by the traditional Islamic funerals, I want to create a ceremony where I shed all my history, washing my past with the old me to rise and face a new present and future.”

— Mustafa Al Shalabi (Choreographer)

Story Behind

"Shedding the old self by killing it, and rebirthing from scratch to start my new life. This short dance is made of two parts:

Part I – Death, and Part II – Rebirth.

In the first part, I invited my mother to perform with me. For she is the first person I saw when I was born, and would be the last person I wanted to see at my death bed. In the second part, I perform “a dance of life”, encompass the spirit of the goodness of moon, return to earth.

Additionally, I have designed my costume based on the traditional long robe with long sleeves, worn by men from the Arabian peninsula."

— Mustafa Al Shalabi (Choreographer)

​

A special thanks to Shireen Talhouni, and Aysha Talhouni, you’ve been there for the dance community in this tough times and we are so happy you were there to support us. It was so nice that you did and we’ll really treasure this dance-in-pool-experience, and its sweet outcome.