The Damned and the Sacred

A traditional Chechen youth dance group goes on a tour of Europe in 2002. The contrast between the destroyed buildings in their capital of Grozny and the majestic concert halls of Europe is enormous. In Grozny, even their rehearsal space has been shot to pieces. Their dance teacher impresses on the youngsters that they have to show the Europeans that Chechens are normal people, not terrorists. So the girls stride around like angels in their white dresses and the boys dance wildly, jumping about and waving ceremonial knives. In interviews, the teacher, who also acts as a kind of spiritual leader, explains the importance of the troupe. Back in Grozny, a grateful father whose son is no longer afraid of the Russian planes says that "Dancing has made him a man." Director Jos de Putter continuously switches between here and there, two worlds bridged by endless bus trips and melancholic music. His camera captures the children smiling and drumming on the bus, tense or yawning during rehearsals and gracefully rotating in traditional costumes during the vigorous performances. They are children who carry their ravaged country with them wherever they go.