Yallah! Underground

They say the pen is mightier than the sword and, for a number of young Arab artists, it's a concept they hold dear. They'd been struggling for years to be heard. Then when the Arab Spring began in 2009, the freedom to express themselves finally became a reality. They'd grown tired of the violence in the region and looked to their creative talents to help enact true reform. Though their protests successfully toppled some regimes, things still remain rocky as their countries try to forge a path towards a successful future. YALLAH! UNDERGROUND chronicles a young generation of liberal Arab musicians and visual artists who are melding the traditions of their past with the styles, sounds, and technologies of today. Spotlighting talents in Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, and Israel, the film captures their excitement about the tides of change, along with their frustrations with those who refuse to let old habits die. Using art as their weapon, these amazing young men and women are waging a battle against the old cultural guard. (In English and Arabic with subtitles) –E.F.