2018 Winners & Shortlists

Brief Explanation

The film follows a popular underground rapping group in Cairo (Al Ezbaa), who took over an abandoned palace which they consider a haven for their rapping, battles and self-expression. It harnesses the energy of this male-dominant subculture as well as mimics the aggressive spirit and soul of this group.

Execution

The film simulates the male-driven and testosterone filled rapping culture in Egypt, through a single-shot film starting off with 2 rappers singing inside an old abandoned palace, and as they start moving towards the camera, countless other rappers start appearing one by one. An aggressive tense upsurge is constantly escalating as you see the rappers’ threatening words, but can’t hear it. All leading to a final view of this group taking over the palace, but not in darkness and hide-out and we’d expect, but in broad day-light.