Teaser
BACKSTAGE (2026)
short film | drama| 26 min
written by Émile V. Schlesser & Jonas Brand
directed by Émile V. Schlesser
produced by Émile V. Schlesser, Fabien Colas, Filmreakter asbl
LOGLINE
A theater production becomes a dangerous dance of power and attraction when a young actor discovers that the demanding director who holds his career in her hands may also be the one who will tear him apart – both on and off the stage.
Director’s Statement
Power abuse is something many of us have experienced, particularly within industries like entertainment, where hierarchical structures and closed environments can foster manipulation and exploitation. Set in the world of theater, BACKSTAGE explores the subtle mechanisms through which authority can be misused, and examines how ambition, mentorship, misinterpretation, and coercion can gradually blur boundaries and lead to an abusive relationship.
At its core, the film asks what makes these situations so difficult to recognize and resist. How can someone in a position of authority take advantage of a young person’s ambition and vulnerability without the abuse ever appearing clear or explicit? And why can it become so difficult for the victim to "simply say no"?
BACKSTAGE seeks to illuminate the gray areas where power abuse takes root and the psychological mechanisms that make it so difficult to stop.
MAIN CAST
Jonathan Joel Albrecht
Sascha Ley
Tommy Schlesser
Jil Devresse
Mayalani Moes
CREW
1st assistant director: Joshua Thil
2nd assistant director: Luca Mahnke
3rd assistant director: Lisa Folschette
DP: Thorsten Robert Harms
1st assistant camera: Alex Weidert
Gaffer: Stepan Novotny
Grip: Enzo Maffei, Yann Gengler
Electricians: Lucie Tratz, Thierry Cumini
Production designer: Christina Schaffer
Costume designer: Virginia Ferreira
Hair & Makeup: Valentina Becker
Wardrobe: Olga Olina
Location manager: Céline Schlesser
Production assistant: Charlotte Piaia
Driver: Julien Colbach
Extras Coordinator: Sandrine Brasseur
Sound recordist: Carlo Thoss
Boom operator / Foleys: Labio Tsaganas
Sound Designer: Paola Macias
Sound Mixer: Ken Nnganyadi
Composer: Rickie Lee Kroell
Editor: Émile V. Schlesser
Colorist: Aljoscha Hoffmann
Music mixer: Julian Collet
Musicians: Axel Kroell, Gero Kempf
FESTIVALS
Max Ophüls Preis Festival – World Premiere (Germany)
Luxembourg City Film Festival (Luxembourg)
Landshuter Kurzfilmfestival (Germany)
WorldFest Houston International Film Festival (USA)
PRODUCTION PHOTOS
