Slingshot Hip Hop (2008)

The voice of a new generation rocks and rhymes as Palestinian rappers form alternative voices of resistance within the Israeli-Palestinian struggle.

Director:

Jackie Salloum

Stars:

Tamer Nafar, Suhell Nafar, Mahmoud Jreri

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Tamer Nafar	...	Himself
Suhell Nafar	...	Himself
Mahmoud Jreri	...	Himself
Mahmud Shalaby	...	Himself (as Mahmoud Shalabi)
Mohammed Al Farra	...	Himself
Motaz Alhweihi	...	Himself
Mahmoud Fayad	...	Himself
Nahwa Abed Al'Al	...	Herself
Safaa Hathoot	...	Herself
Abeer Al Zinati	...	Herself
Alaa Bishara	...	Himself
Adi Krayem	...	Himself
Anan Kseem	...	Himself
Ibrahim Abu Rahala	...	Himself

Storyline

Palestinian youth write and perform hip hop in the '48 (what they call Israel) and the occupied territories (Gaza and the West Bank). We meet DAM, a '48 group, led by Tamer Nafar; three young women who perform to rousing applause but objection from some family members and neighbors; and PR, an emerging trio from Gaza. They see rap as a way to channel anger. The camera observes them composing and performing, going to gigs, and walking the streets of Tel Aviv and Gaza. Israel's military presence is extensive: for instance, will PR be allowed to travel from Gaza to a concert in Ramallah, even with proper papers? Cell phones and the Internet link friends across walls, checkpoints, and barbed wire.

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Plot Keywords:

palestinean hip hop | palestine | dam | arabic rap | middle east conflict

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

Arabic English Hebrew

Release Date:

18 January 2008 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Palestine

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

User Reviews

Good for so many reasons

I saw this film at Sundance and have already recommended it to people as a "must see" film. Slingshot Hip Hop shows a side to the Israel/Palestine debate that we rarely see in the United States, and focuses on the Palestinians who are deeply and tragically affected by the politics of the region. The film highlights the triumph of several groups of Palestinian rappers against the odds--they are the first Arabic rappers, they are working outside of the system, they have no resources whatsoever--and yet they persevere and create really great music that serves to motivate and unify fellow Palestinians. It is the ability to succeed against all odds that is truly inspirational, and a story that Americans should readily embrace since it so closely parallels the "American dream." I'm no expert, but to me the rap is also first rate, with fun beats and good flows. The fact that it also has a political message demonstrates the continuing power of music to express the human condition.

I thought the film ran a tiny bit longer than necessary. Friends I watched with thought it was a bit hard to follow which group was which because the film lacked clear segues. Those are my only criticisms.