“BACKSTAGE” is a Luxembourgish short film written & directed by Émile V. Schlesser. It stars Tommy Schlesser, Sascha Ley, Jil Devresse and Jonathan Joel Albrecht.

LOGLINE

A young theatre actor becomes involved in a toxic relationship with his demanding director. What starts as a harmless affair turns into a dark game of seduction, power and manipulation.

Vision

“BACKSTAGE” is a compelling drama about power abuse in the world of theater. We want to shine a light on a pressing topic that is still too often overlooked and tolerated, not just in the theater world, but in any kind of workplace.

Themes

abuse of power
psychological & emotional manipulation
sexual coercion and consent
breaking free from oppression
the thin line between art & life
self-worth vs compromises for success

CAST

LUKAS: Jonathan Joel Albrecht
COSIMA: Sascha Ley
PHILIPPE: Tommy Schlesser
VERO: Jil Devresse
MARA: Mayalani Moes
HARALD: Claude Faber

CREW

Writer, director, editor: Émile V. Schlesser
Producers: Émile V. Schlesser, Fabien Colas
Co-writer: Jonas Brand
Director of Photography: Thorsten Harms
Production design: Christina Schaffer
Costumes: Virginia Ferreira
Makeup: Valentina Becker
Sound: Carlo Thoss & Labio Tsaganas
Music: Paul Wiltgen, Marc Demuth (Reis-Demuth-Wiltgen Trio)