Dabka
World Premiere

Dabka

Spotlight Narrative
| USA | 117 MINUTES
Drama, TFF Alumni
When rookie writer and proud Canadian Jay Bahadur (Evan Peters) has a chance encounter with his journalist idol (Al Pacino), he decides to uproot his life in the name of research for his first book. Abandoning his comfortable life, he moves to Somalia to investigate a still-unfolding situation with pirates off the country’s coast. It’s 2008 and the cargo vessel MV Faina has just been hijacked. Based on a true story, Dabka follows a naïve young journalist’s headlong dive into a country he has no business being in. A free agent without government support or a publishing deal, Jay bucks conventions to conduct a raw, on the ground investigation. Director Bryan Buckley takes a cinematic look at Bahadur’s ill-planned adventure as it becomes a tale of honor, resilience and friendship. Featuring Melanie Griffith as Jay’s mother, Barkhad Abdi as his translator and main local contact, and supporting cast of Somali non-actors.

—Elizabeth Rao

Cast & Credits
Directed by
Bryan Buckley
Bryan Buckley is the director of the films Asad (Tribeca Film Festival 2012, Academy Award® Nominee 2013), The Bronze and upcoming release, Dabka. He is known for his extensive commercial work, directing more than 50 Super Bowl spots.
Director
Bryan Buckley
Screenwriter
Bryan Buckley
Cinematographer
Scott Henriksen
Editor
Jay Nelson
Composer
Andrew Feltenstein, John Nau
Executive Producer
Jane Rosenthal, Phil Hunt, Compton Ross, Hilary Davis, Stephen Kelliher, Peter Pastorelli, Michael S Murphy, Robin Shenfield, Hank Perlman, Kevin Byrne, Bryan Buckley, Phil Crowe
Producer
Mino Jarjoura, Matt Lefebvre, Claude Dal Farra, Irfaan Fredericks
Co-Producer
Jeremy Newmark
Key Cast
Al Pacino
Cast
Evan Peters, Barkhad Abdi, Melanie Griffith, Al Pacino

Contacts
US Sales Contact
Yale Chasin
United Talent Agency
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: 310 246 6033
ChasinY@unitedtalent.com
International Sales Contact
Stephen Kelliher
Bankside Films
London, W1W8QN
Phone: +44 (0)20 7636 6085
krisztina@bankside-films.com
Press Contact
Betsy Rudnick Fernand
Sunshine Sachs
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212 691 2800
Rudnick@sunshinesachs.com
Print Source
Matt Lefebvre
Hungry Man
Los Angeles, CA 90016
Phone: 310 264 3000
mlefebvre@hungryman.com
* Rush Tickets available at venue except for
Beacon Theatre
Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues other than Beacon Theatre.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.

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