“Slingshot Hip Hop” Review for Cinefest

By: Ja'afar Bilal

On October 1, 2009, at Cinefest, Georgia State Progressive Student Alliance and the Movement to End Israeli Apartheid-Georgia (MEIA-G) is holding a free film screening of the eye-catching documentary called ”Slingshot Hip Hop,” a film which demonstrates the call for peace and justice by Palestinian hip hop artists.

Imagine spending your childhood as a Palestinian growing up in the Israel, Gaza or the West Bank and not knowing where to look for inspiration or help, trying to search for an outlet from the negative feelings that fulfill your mind, heart, and soul due to constant war and occupation. This is exactly what happens to Tamar, his brother Suhell and their neighbor Mahmoud Jreri, founders of DAM, which is considered the first Palestinian hip hop group. These lifelong friends take on their struggle against oppression by liberating themselves from Israeli aggression through the form of hip hop music.

The trio’s stories to fight oppression are welcomed through the production of a documentary film titled “Slingshot Hip Hop,” directed by Jackie Reem Salloum, who demonstrates through her creativity and artistic ability the obstacles Palestinians face each day. These egregious obstacles Palestinians are faced with include checkpoints, home evictions, the separation wall barrier, the usurping of land, and the many aggressions against the Palestinian people.

Filming through the streets of Gaza and the West Bank , and Lyd -where Tamar and his family were relocated after being displaced from their ancestral home in Jaffa- Tamar lectures to children in the community on how to turn negative feelings into positive energy through his inspiration from Tupac Shakur. He explains how Tupac’s craft of words reflected the reality of discriminations and racism against blacks, so, Tamar applies the same concept to his situation, discrimination and racism against Arabs, specifically Palestinians.

Salloum does an excellent job of showing the world through this film that Palestinians are not the barbarians as presented through media outlets. This is the most important lesson that can be learned from this film. Palestinain children and teenagers have the same desires as all other individuals have. Changing the notion that Palestinians are “backward” people is a lesson that should resonate through the audience’s conscious after watching this film.
To these musicians and young children, and according to the title, hip hop is their weapon to spread the common message of peace, instead of using violence against those who silence the voices of the oppressed; it is a weapon that can educate individuals from all walks of life and help save Palestinians from believing into false pressures, as DAM brings to light, such as being ashamed of being Arab.
Obstacles against the Palestinians, which seem to go unnoticed in the mainstream media, are brought to light which will be intriguing to those who would like to be introduced to their world.

Aside from capturing the ambitions of DAM, Salloum also focuses on a Gazan rap group, known as Palestinian Rapperz, consisting of three young guys (Muhammed al-Farra, Moataz Al-Hewaihy and Kan’aan) who emulate DAM in order for the outside world to hear their story and experiences inside of Gaza. She also touches on two young ladies who rap from Akka, as well as a young man named Mahmoud Shalabi.
The film lacks an explanation of how rappers manage to receive financial backing and how these rappers intend to continue to pursue their goals in the midst of Israeli occupation. Questions are left unanswered such as “Are there any significant changes in the campaign against injustice in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank as a result of these rappers influence among their audience?”

Despite having the climax at the end of the film, one would normally see this as a disappointment. In fact, by doing this, Salloum symbolizes this through the idea that if you work hard enough and never give up in working for a just cause, in the end you will receive the results you desire. Now, you are going to have to watch the film in order to piece together the puzzle of what the climax maybe!

After the film presentation, the Progressive Student Alliance and MEIA-G will be holding a discussion about the film and the upcoming divestment campaign to follow at 66 Courtland St., Suite 240, Atlanta 30303.

You may contact meiageorgia@gmail.com for further questions.