The Odor of Elephants after the Rain



The Odor of Elephants After the Rain is a dance film presented within a solo dance and lecture performance.

It is in a context of political, economic and health crisis that ‘The Odor of Elephants After the Rain’ was created. This dance solo, which also features a film shot in Beirut in 2021 shortly after the August 4th explosion, testifies of the experience of deep-rooted pain, loss, and disillusion. Dear places reduced to ashes, disfigured memories, trampled dreams, and dashed hopes.

In 2019, Omar Rajeh, the choreographer, begins a series of explorations that will lead him to unprecedented questions: The forced dismantling of Citerne Beirut, a performing arts space of which he is the founder, the political and economic collapse of Lebanon and the civil unrest after October 17th, followed by the global Covid-19 crisis, and finally the tragic explosion at the port in August 2020, which destroyed half of the city of Beirut, killing and injuring thousands of people.

What voice do we insist on having after being silenced? What body do we walk around with when we are drowned in pain? What do we do with our memories when they deceive us and fail to resemble reality? What hopes do we carry when we are far from our struggles and dreams?


A production of Maqamat | Omar Rajeh Film commissioned and co-produced by the Edinburgh International Festival, with funding from the British Council Co-produced by CN D Centre national de la danse à Lyon Supported by Maison de la Danse, Lyon dans le cadre d’une mise à disposition studio, CCN2 –Centre chorégraphique national de Grenoble, dans le cadre de l’accueil studio, Tanzfabrik Berlin in the frame of apap - Performing Europe / Production Studio Berlin / EU Creative Europe Programme", D Beirut, Forum de Beirut, Citerne Beirut

Special thanks to all friends, families and children that contributed to the creation of this film.


performance dates and touring

Tuesday 14th of December 2021
8:00 pm | Spam Festival | Lucca, Italy

Thursday 14th of October 2021
10:00 pm | Fabbrica Europa Festival | Florence, Italy

Wednesday 18th of August 2021
8:30 pm | Edinburgh International Festival | Edinburgh, UK


cast and credits

Concept & choreography Omar Rajeh 

Music composition (stage) Joss Turnbull 

Technical Director & Light design Christian François 

Technician Blandine Laennec 

Administrator Bruno Viguier 

Film Directed by Selim Mourad 

Music composition Charbel Haber 

Director of Photography Talal Khoury 

Editor Sandra Fatte 

Sound Design Rana Eid 

Dancers Mia Habis - Charlie Prince- Omar Rajeh 

Guest Speaker Rana Khoury 

Additional Camera Anthony Faye/ Danc.Cin.Lab. 

Executive Producer Tarte aux Poires Experiential /Ricky Dakouny- Michael Hanna 

Colorist Chrystel Elias 

Assistant Editor Dikranouhi Kurkjian 

Sound Artist Marita Sbeih Foley 

Recording Patrick Chakar Foley 

 Re-recording Mixe Lama Sawaya 

1st Assistant Camera Luna Abi Raad 

Drone Operator Kameel Rayyes 

On-Set Sound Patrick Chakar 

Key Production Assistant Adel Serhal 

Post-Production Lucid