Yallah! Underground (2015) Movie Script
1
[traffic]
[car horn]
[car horn]
[radio DJ] Welcome to the show.
It's time to drive home
on Thursday, Hallelujah!
It is the weekend!
In the meantime, four o'clock across the capital.
On the big drive home,
playing out on Cairo's
number one, Nile FM.
Interesting topic
for the day:
I want to talk
about underground.
What is underground for you?
I'm talking places,
I'm talking people,
I'm talking music.
If you've got something to say
about underground, get in touch.
[music]
[Zeid] We don't live
in a permanent thing,
it can change
from a day to another.
Lebanon, Egypt,
and the Gulf countries,
Jordan and Syria.
It's a region full of tension.
We're in a zone
of struggling powers,
you don't know
what's going to happen.
[Tamer] There's a vastly
growing seed,
all over the place.
A large number of people who want to express differently
and want to say real things.
This is a revolution.
An attempt to challenge norms.
[Karim] You're making
a difference in the country,
at the right time.
We are ambassadors
of our people,
not just rappers,
we're politicians.
We're activists.
[Mahmoud] What introduces
your culture to others
is religion, science, or art.
Without them,
they won't know about you.
So let the people make music.
[Eastern music]
[sings in Arabic]
[applause]
[door opens]
[music from the back room]
[in English]
First time I understood:
"Wow, this is my culture,"
I came back from France.
Because of the civil war,
I'd been living
for five years there.
I'd been disconnected
with the country.
I'd listen to Arabic music
without connecting.
I felt it was crap.
But then, when going
further into the lyrics
and the poetry
in the Arabic language,
I thought: "My God,
this is a treasure
and it's just
completely ignored."
[woman sings]
And I really enjoyed it.
It moved me, it shook me.
And I realized:
"This is beautiful music,
it doesn't resemble
anything I know,
but I just feel,
I just connect to it."
And since then
I started working on a way
to translate this Arabic feel
into modern music.
[electronic music]
The content is about war,
and the content
is about separation,
and the content
is about broken dreams.
We're always
in a frenzy of achieving.
Not sure the sun
will rise the next day,
you just make
the best out of it.
We are in our countries,
trying to make our society
more open
to the rest of the world.
And we're not
recognized at home.
Media and radios
do not have any interest
on what we have to say.
There's a schizophrenia
in the society.
One ruling part
that is conservative,
and intolerant,
and doesn't allow anything
that is a bit sensual
or a bit controversial.
And on the other hand,
a very...
I'd say dcadent
society with
a lot of drinking and sex,
and alcohol and parties.
[party music]
It's not our war
It's not our war
It's not our war
What's with the noise?
It kills my thoughts
It's not my war
It's not our war!
It's very hard
to be an artist here,
especially when you're a girl.
They kind of have it
all figured for you.
And it's hard
to be independent.
Older families,
or older people...
I don't see them
being very respectful.
And I don't see them
looking at this
as an active job, you know?
[Marc] At the same time,
we're assumed as idols
for the new generation.
[Mayaline] That's for
the young people, for sure.
And I think, hopefully,
also a source of inspiration.
[electronic music]
Silent
You left me down
You liar
You took me down
A lot of people in our countries
identify themselves
with what we do,
they can understand
this message of modernity
that we try to express.
[Marc] What's interesting
also in our project, in Lumi,
is that she's a female singer
and she's totally different
from the stereotypical
female singers
that are very sex oriented.
[music]
[Mayaline] It's a very
stereotyped figure
of the woman-popstar.
Are you ready for sleep
And try to breathe
And I'll take
My pleasure from
Everywhere
[Mayaline] I'd like Lebanese
people to have a change
in their conception
of popstar music.
What we're saying
is that a woman can also
have another role to play,
and you can be a woman
and be a respected artist.
You can be attractive,
you can be free,
and be whatever you want.
Just in another way.
And I think, in general,
our population is sick
of these images of women.
I think all these things are,
kind of, starting to change,
and that's very good.
Underneath is a giant
Underneath is a giant
[synth music]
[Safi] Today's topic:
Underground Cairo.
What does Cairo mean to you?
Ahmed Madbuli says:
"Cairo, for me, starts after one in the morning.
It's always nice to cruise out
the streets of Cairo
after one or two a.m."
It's usually the emptiest time
of the day,
the most fun time
to cruise the streets.
We're talking about Cairo
underground,
belly, music, people,
streets, identity,
the scents, the smell,
the sound.
I grew up listening
to the call to prayer,
watching The A- and Knight Rider,
so I'm one of those that are
sort of stuck in the middle.
And you'll find a lot of them
in the Arab world.
[Safi] Our social and cultural
traditions
have been around
for thousands of years.
The concept of individuality
hasn't really blossomed yet.
It's not as accepted
as in other parts,
the West, or other parts
of the world.
I'd say it's a recent thing
that people want to do
something for themselves.
[Safi] A lot of them
are sick of the status quo.
You can now log on,
type anything,
spread it out to the world.
A major difference
in people's lives.
This, we haven't had.
If you had opinions, you'd write
them on a piece of paper
and you'd hide it in a desk.
You were afraid
of what people may think.
It's like the waves of an ocean.
Each wave is sort of connected,
if one wave decides
to move that way,
it'll affect waves
before and after it.
So I guess people
are realizing
that even with
the smallest actions,
change is possible.
[electronic music]
[singing in Arabic]
-[traffic]
-[drum beat]
[in English] There is
a huge difference
between our generation
and our parents'.
We're definitely much more
liberal and rebellious.
If our generation
doesn't like something,
we just say it out loud.
I moved out
from my parents' house
as they live in Alexandria.
If a girl does that in Egypt...
normally, she'd have
a bad relationship
with her parents.
But my parents
are very cool about it.
At first they said:
"OK, go for six months and come back, because we miss you".
But now, they're dealing with me
as an independent person.
[acoustic guitar]
[singing in Arabic]
[in English] I had to rebel
just a little bit.
My mom was not agreeing
with this at all,
but I had to find a way.
I was like: "OK, I have a job
waiting for me...
I have to go".
She thought
it was temporary, but...
I can't go back.
We're brought up in this country
believing that the father
is the caretaker
and being with your family
is something that's...
It's safety. And if you get out
of your family's house...
[Perry] Your husband's house.
...because you need someone
to take care of you.
Most women in this country...
I'm going to speak
about this country.
All of the girls our age
they're very submissive
towards their parents,
towards their boyfriends--
They don't stand up
for themselves.
There are few of us
who respond.
This is what bothers me.
Few of us would respond
to any one bothering us
on the street.
It's getting out of hand.
There is sexual tension
and frustration here in men.
Maybe because of the taboo
issues, and religion.
It's always religion.
Then, local TV,
there are video clips
of half-naked chicks.
It's all mixed up.
[music]
[singing in Arabic]
[in English] In our world,
there are
a lot of different rules.
There's always a red line. You can't be yourself sometimes.
Our culture in Jordan
doesn't allow you to speak with
women on yourself.
If you want to hang out
with girls, it's not easy.
[rapping in Arabic]
[in English] You know?
It's not important for me.
Because I have a future.
I'm thinking about hip-hop
and to create something.
Sometimes, when you
really want something,
you want to be unique
and brilliant.
Take all your time.
[applause]
[in Arabic]
[applause]
[rapping in Arabic]
[applause]
[in Arabic]
[in English] Check. Check.
[in Arabic]
[rapping in Arabic]
[in Arabic]
[in English] Coffee, to me,
represents the Arab culture.
It's welcoming people.
It's something authentic,
and very simple.
You can see all materials.
It's not kind of Nescaf,
in a hurry, you have
to catch the metro. No.
Arab coffee
is a relaxed process.
Boil the water, pour the coffee, you smell it,
put it in small cups
and drink it bit by bit.
It represents Arab culture.
I believe in art
as a tool for social change.
I see myself as an activist
with artistic tools.
I can mobilize people,
I can convey ideas
in a more appealing way.
As an artist,
you have a role.
People are looking
for a meaning of life.
And artists, I think,
are the ones who can give them
the direction.
It's not the politicians.
The politicians are
stealing our dreams.
Artists can bring them
back to us.
In some of my posters,
I use this kind of...
this character.
He's kind of a dreamer.
He does not believe
in physics
and what's possible
or not possible.
It's kind of representing
the childish,
the dreams, in all of us.
I have a full list
of things I want to change
in Arab culture.
The top of the list is...
not waiting for help
from outside.
I don't believe
in Lawrence of Arabia.
You can do it yourself.
This theory of the white man
in Africa, solving things...
No.
1936. A poster designed
by an Israeli artist.
Before even establishing Israel.
12 years before
establishing Israel.
And he was asking...
Jews to visit Palestine,
to come to the promised land.
This is quite a romantic image
of Palestine, Dome of the Rock,
Jews with an olive tree,
quite authentic poster.
You can still see this...
scenery here in Palestine.
But there's something new
in the scene.
I recreated the poster with
the wall blocking the scenery,
destroying the landscape.
We are the generation,
I feel that we don't respect
anything anymore.
This is a major difference
between us
and the older generations.
We don't respect anything,
or anybody.
Everything is questionable.
We are questioning religion,
political system,
international communities,
our culture,
our habits.
Everything is questionable.
And this is, I think,
step one to make things better.
[Eastern music]
Back in '96...
The scene I used to belong to
was the rock scene.
We all shared the big dream
of becoming rock stars.
All sharing the same dream,
the same hobby,
the same passion.
Rock disappeared that year.
The government considered
all the rockers as satanic,
and they worshiped Satan.
They stopped all the concerts,
and most musicians
just quit playing,
Everything disappeared.
It was a big shock,
it was like
as if you had to emigrate
from your homeland
because of war.
And you have
to change everything,
the way you look,
the way you dress.
Your friends are not the same.
At that time,
playing a distortion guitar
was prohibited,
it was something satanic.
The only bands that were
not mainstream were jazz.
[jazz music]
Basically, what you want
is freedom.
Freedom of expression,
to dress as I want,
do my hair as I want,
play what I want.
We, as musicians, we're very... we're probably hypersensitive.
We're very affected
by maybe a look.
An aggressive look
or a judgmental look
would ruin your day,
would fuck your mood.
So I think we notice
very small details.
[traffic]
I live with my mom.
For us, living with your parents
is not something you choose,
but something you have to do,
unless you want to be a rebel.
For me,
I'm living with my mom,
so I make sure
that I take care of her.
Please don't try this at home.
Music, for us,
is not something...
that's really appreciated, it's not something likable yet.
For us it's
something shameful.
[beep]
[machine voice]
Please, try again.
-Sure.
- Please, try again.
Please, try again.
[woman speaks in Arabic]
-[machine voice] Thank you.
-[kiss]
The biggest problem for youth
is freedom of choice.
Even if it's a better option.
You have to go to school,
then to university,
and work in a decent company,
so you have to be
an engineer or a doctor.
Otherwise,
you won't be respectable.
I try to separate my two lives.
In all my jobs, I've never told them that I play music.
I feel like Spiderman
sometimes.
I don't switch off. Even when I work, I'm always occupied
by music.
Music is my main passion,
it's what wakes me up
in the morning.
So, without it,
to be honest, I don't feel
that my life
is worth anything.
[music]
[singer in Arabic]
[distortion guitar]
[in English] The awareness
you can find
in the new generation of Arabs
is related to politics
and the amount of struggle
in the area,
because it affects
your daily life.
We have the same political,
social, economic situation,
we're trying to challenge
the same norms.
I think we were really isolated
until today
by our frontiers.
What's particular
with the Arab region
is that there is
no so-called unity.
We all look at each other
as a stranger.
In our hearts, we have
the dream of this Arab unity,
but even between neighborhoods,
there are strong frontiers.
[Arab music]
[singer in Arabic]
[in English] I'd love
that the world related to Arab
with no reference whatsoever
to the religion,
or the religion principles.
That would be nice.
Why would it be nice?
Because the whole world
is afraid of the Arab world
because of the fanatic
Islamists, like...
Most of the Western world
thinks
that all the Arabs
are Muslim fanatics.
[Donia Massoud]
I really don't care
about how West will see us.
Sorry, but I really don't care.
I don't care
if they will feel more secure,
if they consider us enemies,
because they need an enemy.
This is their problem,
not my problem.
My problem is my life, here.
We share the same problems.
We still close our eyes
on the problems
of the West or the East.
So, yeah, it's important
that anywhere,
in any part of the world,
there's a real understanding.
That people understand
that we have common dreams.
We share the same problems
and the same hopes.
So we have to be all satisfied
with our lives
because we will make
other people unhappy.
[singer in Arabic]
[in English] Ramallah
is like the last oasis
for Palestinian civilization.
It's the last oasis for us.
We always say that Ramallah
thinks herself as a city,
and we let her act like a city. Although it is a small town,
it's not a city.
But we let her be a city.
If we don't see her as a city,
nobody else will.
To have a personal life here,
you have to...
You have to adjust to many facts
that are not very normal.
Like, you cannot move.
You cannot go from A to B.
All you have to do
is stay in your city
and try to make your life
as simple as possible.
in the allowed space
that we have.
It's hard, but... you know?
Occupation is like this.
[acoustic guitar]
[singing in Arabic]
[in English] If you talk about
what touches people
on a personal level,
it is still about freedom.
Freedom of movement,
freedom of thoughts,
freedom of...
just going to the sea.
You know?
Just going to the sea.
Sometimes you smell it.
When the wind comes from
that side, you smell the sea,
but you can't go to it.
So you cannot say
the sea issue is political,
but it is political,
it is very political.
The beach, the sand.
It is political.
How can you separate politics
from life, in here?
Even if you try,
you'll hit the wall.
[singing in Arabic]
[in English] I think an artist,
in a country under occupation,
has a lot of things to do.
Many people consider music
or arts as it is not fighting.
I don't agree with that.
It's all a fight,
it's one big fight.
You have to change
the weapon.
A bullet would make
a big sound, a song
would it make bigger.
So I think it's just switching
between a gun
and a guitar,
but the aim is the same.
[percussion]
Search me, I'm an Arab,
A walking bomb
Straight down
From the land of martyrdom
Check out every airport
Check out the checkpoints
Search me, I'm an Arab
I'm a walking bomb
I'm a terrorist
But one of those
Who you would never expect
One of those out of your mind You will never get
Yeah, I'm a terrorist,
But no rifle on my back
No explosives in my pack
No TNT in my pants
I just need
A one shot of chance
With that one shot
I'll shoot you
A bullet of poetics
Assassinate you
With a monologue
Suicide-bomb you
With a freestyle dance
And I'll torture you
With the rhythm of my beats
I'll demolish your house
With the song of my culture
[singing in Arabic]
[in English] Come drink
My Arabic coffee with me
Aimed at a kidnap attempt
Yeah, I'm a terrorist
Yeah, I'm one
Of a different kind
Yeah, I'm a terrorist
But one of those
Who you would never expect
Shh.
I was born and raised in Haifa.
But originally,
I'm not from Haifa.
I'm from a destroyed village.
A displaced village
called Iqrit.
It's on the northern border
with Lebanon.
It was displaced in 1948
with its people.
My grandparents
are internal refugees.
What are called
internal refugees.
So they are refugees
inside the state of Israel,
after it took its independence.
[music]
[in Arabic]
[rapping]
[rapping]
[in Arabic]
EVERYBODY TO THE PRISON
IN THE PALACE OF INJUSTICE!
[radio] The most
influential musician
in the Middle East was arrested in Lebanon, today.
[in English] My position
is the military
should not interfere
in politics.
In general, this is like
a base rule for democracy.
So I wrote this song.
It's a message.
It's not a big deal.
I have no problem against
the president, particularly.
At the end,
they decided that I was...
insulting the president,
and that it's against the law.
I think they dropped charges,
since they let me
go out of the country
and I'm here in the U.S.
[acoustic guitar]
[singer in Arabic]
[in English] I'm scared
about the Syrians,
or that our government
supports Syria.
Like one singer
who was critic to the government
was found...
murdered, and his throat
was cut as a message.
This is the kind of violence
I'm afraid of.
The Syrian government
is ferocious,
they don't accept critics.
The supporters
of their general regime
are violent, and it's just
an hour away from Beirut.
[singing in Arabic]
[in English] There's
a real pressure
on every Arab artist.
Pressure from the government.
I got sent to jail
for a stupid sentence.
That's the worse.
And in Egypt,
they imprison bloggers,
imprison singers.
In Syria, they kill the singers.
In Jordan, you cannot say:
"I'm against the king,
I'm for democracy".
You go to jail.
It's oppression. Everywhere.
That's the worst
of Arabic culture.
[angry voices]
My generation
was always being told
by our parents and our peers:
"You are an unlucky generation.
You're in this horrible
economic time,
in this horrible
oppressive regime."
It got to a point
where 85 million people
were just waiting
for this one man to die.
Just to see what's next.
[in Arabic]
[in English] You feel a screen
between you
and the actual event going on.
You're just participating.
For a moment, you don't think
that you will get hurt.
Until you get hit
the first time.
"It is happening!"
Screen falls,
you're back to reality and shit.
[gunshots]
-[people chanting]
-[gunshots]
[Ousso Lofty]
I've witnessed death
and I was ready to die.
Scared, terrified,
but very happy.
And very proud.
[gunshot]
I refused to do
any songs or anything.
It was the time where you,
as an artist and as a man,
you just put
your instrument aside,
you hold your weapon,
and you go and fight
for your freedom.
You protect your family.
[in Arabic]
[in English] There was fear
for life in the first days.
Then, it was gone.
"I'm going to the square.
This is where I need to be,
what I need to do."
One day after the other,
until Mubarak
sort of stepped down.
And to me, that was the start
of something beautiful.
[in Arabic]
[in English] This is live,
from the victory of Egypt.
The president
has just stepped down.
[celebrating crowd]
[in Arabic]
[in English] This is happening.
History.
[celebrating crowd]
[in Arabic]
[celebrating crowd]
[in Arabic]
[hip-hop music]
[hip-hop music]
[singer in Arabic]
[music]
Mooled, or Mawlid,
term used for religious men
birthday celebrations.
[in English] Between us
and the old generation,
we got more balls.
They're from a generation
that existed
when the oppression started,
and they're very scared.
[in English] Politics was taboo
in Egypt,
we couldn't talk about it.
That's the difference. Even now during the revolution,
they're the ones who are
trying to pump our brakes
while we are trying
to get the demands, like:
"We did it, we achieved
as much as we can.
Calm down,
stop going to Tahrir."
We're like:
"Shut the fuck up.
You made us go through it
for 30 years.
You don't have
a say anymore."
Palestinians are used
to being headlines.
With Arab spring,
we are not anymore.
This time we are watching
the other Arab nations
going through the revolution,
seeking freedom
and liberty and dignity.
We are so involved,
as if we are
in Egypt and Mubarak
is our president, our dictator. And we're really frustrated
that he's taken that long.
When he resigned/gone to hell,
the feeling was really weird.
We are not used to succeed.
We are not used
to the happy endings.
As Palestinians,
I think we're jealous,
nowadays,
that revolutions
are not only for Palestinians.
Egypt, in 19 days,
they changed their future,
once and forever.
We've been negotiating
for 19 years
and we are still stuck
at the same fucking situation.
[Mr. Shakfeh in Arabic]
[child singing in Arabic]
[whistle]
[laughter]
I'm happy
with the Arab spring.
[in English] Every revolution
that's happening is great.
I feel so happy. I support it,
because I do not see
good guys in front.
You know?
I never saw a good dictator.
I don't believe in this concept.
One, two.
[woman sings]
[rehearsing]
Did I tell you that the movie
I recorded the music for
was censored two days ago?
-No.
-In Lebanon.
-Okay.
-Isn't it funny?
Why?
Because they
considered the movie
to be a threat
to national security.
It's amazing, we're
so dangerous for the nation.
Really dangerous.
My mamma
won't be proud of me.
[drum beat]
At least it's not going
backwards, it's going...
forward in terms of...
Well, I don't know in Egypt,
what is going to happen.
After-revolutions
are always bloody
and dirty,
so the people must...
There's still the need
to do sacrifices,
from all the people,
until they reach
a stable society.
So, yeah, I'm scared.
Because it's a moment
of great violence.
[gunshots]
[in Arabic]
[gunshots]
[in English] I'm going to vote.
I have been waiting for that,
I mean, everyone
was waiting for that day.
I'm not really sure.
I'm sure which party
I'm gonna vote for,
I'm not sure which person, individual, I'm gonna vote for,
because
I've never done it before.
I was never interested
in politics.
I don't read newspapers,
I don't watch TV,
as long as it's a movie,
but I don't watch the news
or anything.
But now, I think, people care
more, and I care more,
it makes me think
that I can be a part
of the result that comes out.
I feel that this is
my contribution.
This is something
that I have shared,
or something
that I've contributed.
But I'm hoping this could be
a positive step for people,
even if it isn't
a perfect future,
eventually, people
will learn how to vote
and have more control
on their future
and the people they choose
and their political parties.
Changing governments and people
is not going to affect the lives of the people,
unless they try to change
themselves in the beginning.
I don't see a close change,
or new change
coming in the future,
unless people start
changing themselves.
[music]
[singer in Arabic]
[laughs]
[in Arabic]
[in English] We were not
divided, now we are.
Before the revolution,
we were all, with all the sects
and different opinions
and different beliefs, against
the government, the regime.
But now, we are divided.
Into liberals, into Muslims,
and even the Muslims
are divided into two.
There's a major change
in all aspects of your life.
[singing in Arabic]
[in English] If the Muslim
brotherhood,
the Muslim Brothers,
they take over,
that's it.
It is a specific type
of Muslims.
You know, the Salafis,
the Sunnis.
Probably, I will switch,
you know?
I won't be able
to play my guitar anymore.
I think the only instrument
they allow is daf.
You know the daf?
The drum?
[music]
I fear if this society
becomes Islamic.
And if this happens, I'd either have to leave the country,
and I don't think
I want to do this,
or stay and pretend
I'm like one of those,
which is not an option.
So I could be
this mad individual.
I don't know.
[music]
I hope that I can belong here
and be stronger
to tolerate
what's going to happen.
[music]
[singing in Arabic]
It was our mistake
as people from Tahrir square
to leave Tahrir square
on February 11.
We were deceived.
It was a show.
Our generation is not idiot
and we won't bow down
to anybody who tells us:
"Be more peaceful,
enough is enough". Fuck you.
Go leave Egypt.
We don't want cowards
in Egypt anymore.
Egyptians aren't cowards.
The revolutionary spirit
has been...
instilled in lots of people,
I think those are who are
paving the path
for the future.
So unfortunately,
as with any beautiful thing,
lots of people
will try to destroy it.
That's what's happening now.
This revolution isn't for us,
or for our kids,
it's for our grand-kids.
We have to learn to talk
and listen to each other.
Bringing an end
to all the negativity
that we have in Egypt.
Bringing an end to all the...
terrible concepts
that we were living with.
And in all honesty,
I feel lucky
to be part of this generation.
I believe that change
is always for the best, but...
what really oppresses me
the most
is the dictatorship of religion.
So this needs a huge revolution,
you know?
People need to understand
how to practice their faith
in a respectful way.
That's the thing
that frightens me a bit.
How much God is...
I'd say, heavy on our shoulders,
every day.
I think there's a lot of work
still to be done
in the perception that we,
as Lebanese or Arabs,
are seen in other parts
of the world.
I think people in Europe,
if we were able to change
or to add something
to their knowledge, that's the biggest achievement.
You can change things
in a big scale
by starting
in a very small scale.
[host] We are very proud
to present
Zeid and the Wings.
[cheers]
They flew in
from all over the world
to be here tonight
in the Valley, here,
in Amsterdam.
And just give them
a warm applause,
Zeid and the Wings!
[applause]
This song goes
to all the military,
who should hand the power
to the civilians.
Man, go home!
[music]
Gene Gene General
General Suleiman
Gene Gene General
General Suleiman
Salam Salam Salam Aleik
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
For peace in our nation
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
I experienced,
there were a group of guys,
when you said like: "General
Suleiman, go home, go home",
they were like "go home" to you.
"Go home, go home."
-Yeah, but listen...
-I heard them.
Everywhere I sing this song,
people say that to me.
What scared me
was that one of them said:
"He's not gonna reach
the airport."
-Oh man, I didn't hear that.
-No. No, you didn't hear.
-Are you serious?
-Yes.
Oh, my God!
Well, anyway, it doesn't matter.
Everywhere, this happens.
These things.
Now, what is your next city?
Where are you going now?
I'm not gonna reach
the airport.
Put your weapons down
Put your weapons down
Now it's time To leave your warlords behind
Everything is fine And there'll be no more crime
Let the country shine
With general Suleiman
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
Gene Gene General
General Suleiman
Gene Gene General
General Suleiman
Salam Salam Salam Aleik
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
For peace in our nation
I just created a song
that I feel.
It's a nice translation
of thoughts and ideas
and the people I live with,
you know? It becomes theirs,
and when you meet
those people,
you have a link
without having met them,
because they shared
a very personal thing.
And I feel comfortable
with those people,
they are my friends.
I owe that to music, it's
a passport to the whole world.
I owe everything to music, man.
[rock music]
All the militia man,
Go home!
Corrupted politician,
Go home!
To weapon dealers say,
Go home!
To troublemakers say,
Go home!
Foreign intelligence,
Go home!
Neighbor influence, go home!
All the militia man,
Go home!
Corrupted politician,
Go home!
To weapon dealers say,
Go home!
To troublemakers say,
Go home!
Foreign intelligence,
Go home!
Neighbor influence, go home!
Gene Gene General
General Suleiman
Gene Gene General
General Suleiman
Salam Salam Salam Aleik
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
For peace in our nation
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
Gene Gene general
Go home!
Have a nice night. Bye.
[applause]
[spectator] Go home!
I will.
[music]
I met a lot of people,
not only from Lebanon.
And everyone
has the same dreams.
Most people I meet
just want to, you know,
enjoy this fucking life.
I don't have
a bigger dream, no.
I have a lot of dreams.
Falling in love.
Oh, man.
I love falling in love.
That's the dream.
As simple as that.
A beautiful person
that is completely
inspiring.
Then, I would be ready
to do anything
just to
please her.
I like that.
I'm not afraid of that.
If it comes, I accept it.
[Safi] What's happening
around the world
is collective consciousness
and I'm happy to have tapped
into that, you know?
The world is changing,
a new energy is rising.
It's a young energy.
We're all counting
on this energy
to take us
where we want to go, I guess.
[Lumi] The coming years
aren't going to be easy.
It's not going to be
bright instantly.
My hope towards the future is
I wish people will become
more tolerant
towards the other
and become more aware
that people should be different.
If we're all the same,
then this is not living,
it's not real life.
[Amer Shomali]
My fear is that in 40 years
we will be hoping
for another revolution
to get rid of the regimes
we will get now.
But this is only a fear.
When you taste
freedom and dignity,
you can't live
without them anymore.
And I think we've had this taste of freedom and dignity.
I don't think we are going back.
[in Arabic]
[in English]
Cultural resistance, people.
Believe in cultural resistance.
Because the oppressor
is afraid of culture.
That is our weapon.
[Shadi Zaqtan]
We are going far
from where our fathers
and grandfathers stood.
If we have a Palestinian state, I will sing...
I will start singing
love stories.
My goal is to...
go to our roots.
If my gun couldn't take me,
maybe my guitar...
[Zeid Hamdan]
I've been experiencing
so much conflict
in the last few years
that I think whatever happens,
I'll always find a way to just
continue building
and struggling
to make our lives,
something decent.
Whatever the crisis.
I mean, I've lived through civil wars, and then...
invasions,
and then bombings.
It's been crazy and we've
managed to survive, so...
I think it's in our essence
to build and build,
whatever happens.
I'm living my dream.
It's a real dream.
I have achieved my dream. I am free and I bring my music.
But I don't own anything,
I have no security,
I'll get old without money
on the side,
and I don't know what tomorrow
is made of, I don't know.
I have no security whatsoever.
I just have
the comfort of achieving
my dream, you know?
Reality is a gift.
I wake up gifted.
I'm lucky.
[music]
[singer in Arabic]
[traffic]
[car horn]
[car horn]
[radio DJ] Welcome to the show.
It's time to drive home
on Thursday, Hallelujah!
It is the weekend!
In the meantime, four o'clock across the capital.
On the big drive home,
playing out on Cairo's
number one, Nile FM.
Interesting topic
for the day:
I want to talk
about underground.
What is underground for you?
I'm talking places,
I'm talking people,
I'm talking music.
If you've got something to say
about underground, get in touch.
[music]
[Zeid] We don't live
in a permanent thing,
it can change
from a day to another.
Lebanon, Egypt,
and the Gulf countries,
Jordan and Syria.
It's a region full of tension.
We're in a zone
of struggling powers,
you don't know
what's going to happen.
[Tamer] There's a vastly
growing seed,
all over the place.
A large number of people who want to express differently
and want to say real things.
This is a revolution.
An attempt to challenge norms.
[Karim] You're making
a difference in the country,
at the right time.
We are ambassadors
of our people,
not just rappers,
we're politicians.
We're activists.
[Mahmoud] What introduces
your culture to others
is religion, science, or art.
Without them,
they won't know about you.
So let the people make music.
[Eastern music]
[sings in Arabic]
[applause]
[door opens]
[music from the back room]
[in English]
First time I understood:
"Wow, this is my culture,"
I came back from France.
Because of the civil war,
I'd been living
for five years there.
I'd been disconnected
with the country.
I'd listen to Arabic music
without connecting.
I felt it was crap.
But then, when going
further into the lyrics
and the poetry
in the Arabic language,
I thought: "My God,
this is a treasure
and it's just
completely ignored."
[woman sings]
And I really enjoyed it.
It moved me, it shook me.
And I realized:
"This is beautiful music,
it doesn't resemble
anything I know,
but I just feel,
I just connect to it."
And since then
I started working on a way
to translate this Arabic feel
into modern music.
[electronic music]
The content is about war,
and the content
is about separation,
and the content
is about broken dreams.
We're always
in a frenzy of achieving.
Not sure the sun
will rise the next day,
you just make
the best out of it.
We are in our countries,
trying to make our society
more open
to the rest of the world.
And we're not
recognized at home.
Media and radios
do not have any interest
on what we have to say.
There's a schizophrenia
in the society.
One ruling part
that is conservative,
and intolerant,
and doesn't allow anything
that is a bit sensual
or a bit controversial.
And on the other hand,
a very...
I'd say dcadent
society with
a lot of drinking and sex,
and alcohol and parties.
[party music]
It's not our war
It's not our war
It's not our war
What's with the noise?
It kills my thoughts
It's not my war
It's not our war!
It's very hard
to be an artist here,
especially when you're a girl.
They kind of have it
all figured for you.
And it's hard
to be independent.
Older families,
or older people...
I don't see them
being very respectful.
And I don't see them
looking at this
as an active job, you know?
[Marc] At the same time,
we're assumed as idols
for the new generation.
[Mayaline] That's for
the young people, for sure.
And I think, hopefully,
also a source of inspiration.
[electronic music]
Silent
You left me down
You liar
You took me down
A lot of people in our countries
identify themselves
with what we do,
they can understand
this message of modernity
that we try to express.
[Marc] What's interesting
also in our project, in Lumi,
is that she's a female singer
and she's totally different
from the stereotypical
female singers
that are very sex oriented.
[music]
[Mayaline] It's a very
stereotyped figure
of the woman-popstar.
Are you ready for sleep
And try to breathe
And I'll take
My pleasure from
Everywhere
[Mayaline] I'd like Lebanese
people to have a change
in their conception
of popstar music.
What we're saying
is that a woman can also
have another role to play,
and you can be a woman
and be a respected artist.
You can be attractive,
you can be free,
and be whatever you want.
Just in another way.
And I think, in general,
our population is sick
of these images of women.
I think all these things are,
kind of, starting to change,
and that's very good.
Underneath is a giant
Underneath is a giant
[synth music]
[Safi] Today's topic:
Underground Cairo.
What does Cairo mean to you?
Ahmed Madbuli says:
"Cairo, for me, starts after one in the morning.
It's always nice to cruise out
the streets of Cairo
after one or two a.m."
It's usually the emptiest time
of the day,
the most fun time
to cruise the streets.
We're talking about Cairo
underground,
belly, music, people,
streets, identity,
the scents, the smell,
the sound.
I grew up listening
to the call to prayer,
watching The A- and Knight Rider,
so I'm one of those that are
sort of stuck in the middle.
And you'll find a lot of them
in the Arab world.
[Safi] Our social and cultural
traditions
have been around
for thousands of years.
The concept of individuality
hasn't really blossomed yet.
It's not as accepted
as in other parts,
the West, or other parts
of the world.
I'd say it's a recent thing
that people want to do
something for themselves.
[Safi] A lot of them
are sick of the status quo.
You can now log on,
type anything,
spread it out to the world.
A major difference
in people's lives.
This, we haven't had.
If you had opinions, you'd write
them on a piece of paper
and you'd hide it in a desk.
You were afraid
of what people may think.
It's like the waves of an ocean.
Each wave is sort of connected,
if one wave decides
to move that way,
it'll affect waves
before and after it.
So I guess people
are realizing
that even with
the smallest actions,
change is possible.
[electronic music]
[singing in Arabic]
-[traffic]
-[drum beat]
[in English] There is
a huge difference
between our generation
and our parents'.
We're definitely much more
liberal and rebellious.
If our generation
doesn't like something,
we just say it out loud.
I moved out
from my parents' house
as they live in Alexandria.
If a girl does that in Egypt...
normally, she'd have
a bad relationship
with her parents.
But my parents
are very cool about it.
At first they said:
"OK, go for six months and come back, because we miss you".
But now, they're dealing with me
as an independent person.
[acoustic guitar]
[singing in Arabic]
[in English] I had to rebel
just a little bit.
My mom was not agreeing
with this at all,
but I had to find a way.
I was like: "OK, I have a job
waiting for me...
I have to go".
She thought
it was temporary, but...
I can't go back.
We're brought up in this country
believing that the father
is the caretaker
and being with your family
is something that's...
It's safety. And if you get out
of your family's house...
[Perry] Your husband's house.
...because you need someone
to take care of you.
Most women in this country...
I'm going to speak
about this country.
All of the girls our age
they're very submissive
towards their parents,
towards their boyfriends--
They don't stand up
for themselves.
There are few of us
who respond.
This is what bothers me.
Few of us would respond
to any one bothering us
on the street.
It's getting out of hand.
There is sexual tension
and frustration here in men.
Maybe because of the taboo
issues, and religion.
It's always religion.
Then, local TV,
there are video clips
of half-naked chicks.
It's all mixed up.
[music]
[singing in Arabic]
[in English] In our world,
there are
a lot of different rules.
There's always a red line. You can't be yourself sometimes.
Our culture in Jordan
doesn't allow you to speak with
women on yourself.
If you want to hang out
with girls, it's not easy.
[rapping in Arabic]
[in English] You know?
It's not important for me.
Because I have a future.
I'm thinking about hip-hop
and to create something.
Sometimes, when you
really want something,
you want to be unique
and brilliant.
Take all your time.
[applause]
[in Arabic]
[applause]
[rapping in Arabic]
[applause]
[in Arabic]
[in English] Check. Check.
[in Arabic]
[rapping in Arabic]
[in Arabic]
[in English] Coffee, to me,
represents the Arab culture.
It's welcoming people.
It's something authentic,
and very simple.
You can see all materials.
It's not kind of Nescaf,
in a hurry, you have
to catch the metro. No.
Arab coffee
is a relaxed process.
Boil the water, pour the coffee, you smell it,
put it in small cups
and drink it bit by bit.
It represents Arab culture.
I believe in art
as a tool for social change.
I see myself as an activist
with artistic tools.
I can mobilize people,
I can convey ideas
in a more appealing way.
As an artist,
you have a role.
People are looking
for a meaning of life.
And artists, I think,
are the ones who can give them
the direction.
It's not the politicians.
The politicians are
stealing our dreams.
Artists can bring them
back to us.
In some of my posters,
I use this kind of...
this character.
He's kind of a dreamer.
He does not believe
in physics
and what's possible
or not possible.
It's kind of representing
the childish,
the dreams, in all of us.
I have a full list
of things I want to change
in Arab culture.
The top of the list is...
not waiting for help
from outside.
I don't believe
in Lawrence of Arabia.
You can do it yourself.
This theory of the white man
in Africa, solving things...
No.
1936. A poster designed
by an Israeli artist.
Before even establishing Israel.
12 years before
establishing Israel.
And he was asking...
Jews to visit Palestine,
to come to the promised land.
This is quite a romantic image
of Palestine, Dome of the Rock,
Jews with an olive tree,
quite authentic poster.
You can still see this...
scenery here in Palestine.
But there's something new
in the scene.
I recreated the poster with
the wall blocking the scenery,
destroying the landscape.
We are the generation,
I feel that we don't respect
anything anymore.
This is a major difference
between us
and the older generations.
We don't respect anything,
or anybody.
Everything is questionable.
We are questioning religion,
political system,
international communities,
our culture,
our habits.
Everything is questionable.
And this is, I think,
step one to make things better.
[Eastern music]
Back in '96...
The scene I used to belong to
was the rock scene.
We all shared the big dream
of becoming rock stars.
All sharing the same dream,
the same hobby,
the same passion.
Rock disappeared that year.
The government considered
all the rockers as satanic,
and they worshiped Satan.
They stopped all the concerts,
and most musicians
just quit playing,
Everything disappeared.
It was a big shock,
it was like
as if you had to emigrate
from your homeland
because of war.
And you have
to change everything,
the way you look,
the way you dress.
Your friends are not the same.
At that time,
playing a distortion guitar
was prohibited,
it was something satanic.
The only bands that were
not mainstream were jazz.
[jazz music]
Basically, what you want
is freedom.
Freedom of expression,
to dress as I want,
do my hair as I want,
play what I want.
We, as musicians, we're very... we're probably hypersensitive.
We're very affected
by maybe a look.
An aggressive look
or a judgmental look
would ruin your day,
would fuck your mood.
So I think we notice
very small details.
[traffic]
I live with my mom.
For us, living with your parents
is not something you choose,
but something you have to do,
unless you want to be a rebel.
For me,
I'm living with my mom,
so I make sure
that I take care of her.
Please don't try this at home.
Music, for us,
is not something...
that's really appreciated, it's not something likable yet.
For us it's
something shameful.
[beep]
[machine voice]
Please, try again.
-Sure.
- Please, try again.
Please, try again.
[woman speaks in Arabic]
-[machine voice] Thank you.
-[kiss]
The biggest problem for youth
is freedom of choice.
Even if it's a better option.
You have to go to school,
then to university,
and work in a decent company,
so you have to be
an engineer or a doctor.
Otherwise,
you won't be respectable.
I try to separate my two lives.
In all my jobs, I've never told them that I play music.
I feel like Spiderman
sometimes.
I don't switch off. Even when I work, I'm always occupied
by music.
Music is my main passion,
it's what wakes me up
in the morning.
So, without it,
to be honest, I don't feel
that my life
is worth anything.
[music]
[singer in Arabic]
[distortion guitar]
[in English] The awareness
you can find
in the new generation of Arabs
is related to politics
and the amount of struggle
in the area,
because it affects
your daily life.
We have the same political,
social, economic situation,
we're trying to challenge
the same norms.
I think we were really isolated
until today
by our frontiers.
What's particular
with the Arab region
is that there is
no so-called unity.
We all look at each other
as a stranger.
In our hearts, we have
the dream of this Arab unity,
but even between neighborhoods,
there are strong frontiers.
[Arab music]
[singer in Arabic]
[in English] I'd love
that the world related to Arab
with no reference whatsoever
to the religion,
or the religion principles.
That would be nice.
Why would it be nice?
Because the whole world
is afraid of the Arab world
because of the fanatic
Islamists, like...
Most of the Western world
thinks
that all the Arabs
are Muslim fanatics.
[Donia Massoud]
I really don't care
about how West will see us.
Sorry, but I really don't care.
I don't care
if they will feel more secure,
if they consider us enemies,
because they need an enemy.
This is their problem,
not my problem.
My problem is my life, here.
We share the same problems.
We still close our eyes
on the problems
of the West or the East.
So, yeah, it's important
that anywhere,
in any part of the world,
there's a real understanding.
That people understand
that we have common dreams.
We share the same problems
and the same hopes.
So we have to be all satisfied
with our lives
because we will make
other people unhappy.
[singer in Arabic]
[in English] Ramallah
is like the last oasis
for Palestinian civilization.
It's the last oasis for us.
We always say that Ramallah
thinks herself as a city,
and we let her act like a city. Although it is a small town,
it's not a city.
But we let her be a city.
If we don't see her as a city,
nobody else will.
To have a personal life here,
you have to...
You have to adjust to many facts
that are not very normal.
Like, you cannot move.
You cannot go from A to B.
All you have to do
is stay in your city
and try to make your life
as simple as possible.
in the allowed space
that we have.
It's hard, but... you know?
Occupation is like this.
[acoustic guitar]
[singing in Arabic]
[in English] If you talk about
what touches people
on a personal level,
it is still about freedom.
Freedom of movement,
freedom of thoughts,
freedom of...
just going to the sea.
You know?
Just going to the sea.
Sometimes you smell it.
When the wind comes from
that side, you smell the sea,
but you can't go to it.
So you cannot say
the sea issue is political,
but it is political,
it is very political.
The beach, the sand.
It is political.
How can you separate politics
from life, in here?
Even if you try,
you'll hit the wall.
[singing in Arabic]
[in English] I think an artist,
in a country under occupation,
has a lot of things to do.
Many people consider music
or arts as it is not fighting.
I don't agree with that.
It's all a fight,
it's one big fight.
You have to change
the weapon.
A bullet would make
a big sound, a song
would it make bigger.
So I think it's just switching
between a gun
and a guitar,
but the aim is the same.
[percussion]
Search me, I'm an Arab,
A walking bomb
Straight down
From the land of martyrdom
Check out every airport
Check out the checkpoints
Search me, I'm an Arab
I'm a walking bomb
I'm a terrorist
But one of those
Who you would never expect
One of those out of your mind You will never get
Yeah, I'm a terrorist,
But no rifle on my back
No explosives in my pack
No TNT in my pants
I just need
A one shot of chance
With that one shot
I'll shoot you
A bullet of poetics
Assassinate you
With a monologue
Suicide-bomb you
With a freestyle dance
And I'll torture you
With the rhythm of my beats
I'll demolish your house
With the song of my culture
[singing in Arabic]
[in English] Come drink
My Arabic coffee with me
Aimed at a kidnap attempt
Yeah, I'm a terrorist
Yeah, I'm one
Of a different kind
Yeah, I'm a terrorist
But one of those
Who you would never expect
Shh.
I was born and raised in Haifa.
But originally,
I'm not from Haifa.
I'm from a destroyed village.
A displaced village
called Iqrit.
It's on the northern border
with Lebanon.
It was displaced in 1948
with its people.
My grandparents
are internal refugees.
What are called
internal refugees.
So they are refugees
inside the state of Israel,
after it took its independence.
[music]
[in Arabic]
[rapping]
[rapping]
[in Arabic]
EVERYBODY TO THE PRISON
IN THE PALACE OF INJUSTICE!
[radio] The most
influential musician
in the Middle East was arrested in Lebanon, today.
[in English] My position
is the military
should not interfere
in politics.
In general, this is like
a base rule for democracy.
So I wrote this song.
It's a message.
It's not a big deal.
I have no problem against
the president, particularly.
At the end,
they decided that I was...
insulting the president,
and that it's against the law.
I think they dropped charges,
since they let me
go out of the country
and I'm here in the U.S.
[acoustic guitar]
[singer in Arabic]
[in English] I'm scared
about the Syrians,
or that our government
supports Syria.
Like one singer
who was critic to the government
was found...
murdered, and his throat
was cut as a message.
This is the kind of violence
I'm afraid of.
The Syrian government
is ferocious,
they don't accept critics.
The supporters
of their general regime
are violent, and it's just
an hour away from Beirut.
[singing in Arabic]
[in English] There's
a real pressure
on every Arab artist.
Pressure from the government.
I got sent to jail
for a stupid sentence.
That's the worse.
And in Egypt,
they imprison bloggers,
imprison singers.
In Syria, they kill the singers.
In Jordan, you cannot say:
"I'm against the king,
I'm for democracy".
You go to jail.
It's oppression. Everywhere.
That's the worst
of Arabic culture.
[angry voices]
My generation
was always being told
by our parents and our peers:
"You are an unlucky generation.
You're in this horrible
economic time,
in this horrible
oppressive regime."
It got to a point
where 85 million people
were just waiting
for this one man to die.
Just to see what's next.
[in Arabic]
[in English] You feel a screen
between you
and the actual event going on.
You're just participating.
For a moment, you don't think
that you will get hurt.
Until you get hit
the first time.
"It is happening!"
Screen falls,
you're back to reality and shit.
[gunshots]
-[people chanting]
-[gunshots]
[Ousso Lofty]
I've witnessed death
and I was ready to die.
Scared, terrified,
but very happy.
And very proud.
[gunshot]
I refused to do
any songs or anything.
It was the time where you,
as an artist and as a man,
you just put
your instrument aside,
you hold your weapon,
and you go and fight
for your freedom.
You protect your family.
[in Arabic]
[in English] There was fear
for life in the first days.
Then, it was gone.
"I'm going to the square.
This is where I need to be,
what I need to do."
One day after the other,
until Mubarak
sort of stepped down.
And to me, that was the start
of something beautiful.
[in Arabic]
[in English] This is live,
from the victory of Egypt.
The president
has just stepped down.
[celebrating crowd]
[in Arabic]
[in English] This is happening.
History.
[celebrating crowd]
[in Arabic]
[celebrating crowd]
[in Arabic]
[hip-hop music]
[hip-hop music]
[singer in Arabic]
[music]
Mooled, or Mawlid,
term used for religious men
birthday celebrations.
[in English] Between us
and the old generation,
we got more balls.
They're from a generation
that existed
when the oppression started,
and they're very scared.
[in English] Politics was taboo
in Egypt,
we couldn't talk about it.
That's the difference. Even now during the revolution,
they're the ones who are
trying to pump our brakes
while we are trying
to get the demands, like:
"We did it, we achieved
as much as we can.
Calm down,
stop going to Tahrir."
We're like:
"Shut the fuck up.
You made us go through it
for 30 years.
You don't have
a say anymore."
Palestinians are used
to being headlines.
With Arab spring,
we are not anymore.
This time we are watching
the other Arab nations
going through the revolution,
seeking freedom
and liberty and dignity.
We are so involved,
as if we are
in Egypt and Mubarak
is our president, our dictator. And we're really frustrated
that he's taken that long.
When he resigned/gone to hell,
the feeling was really weird.
We are not used to succeed.
We are not used
to the happy endings.
As Palestinians,
I think we're jealous,
nowadays,
that revolutions
are not only for Palestinians.
Egypt, in 19 days,
they changed their future,
once and forever.
We've been negotiating
for 19 years
and we are still stuck
at the same fucking situation.
[Mr. Shakfeh in Arabic]
[child singing in Arabic]
[whistle]
[laughter]
I'm happy
with the Arab spring.
[in English] Every revolution
that's happening is great.
I feel so happy. I support it,
because I do not see
good guys in front.
You know?
I never saw a good dictator.
I don't believe in this concept.
One, two.
[woman sings]
[rehearsing]
Did I tell you that the movie
I recorded the music for
was censored two days ago?
-No.
-In Lebanon.
-Okay.
-Isn't it funny?
Why?
Because they
considered the movie
to be a threat
to national security.
It's amazing, we're
so dangerous for the nation.
Really dangerous.
My mamma
won't be proud of me.
[drum beat]
At least it's not going
backwards, it's going...
forward in terms of...
Well, I don't know in Egypt,
what is going to happen.
After-revolutions
are always bloody
and dirty,
so the people must...
There's still the need
to do sacrifices,
from all the people,
until they reach
a stable society.
So, yeah, I'm scared.
Because it's a moment
of great violence.
[gunshots]
[in Arabic]
[gunshots]
[in English] I'm going to vote.
I have been waiting for that,
I mean, everyone
was waiting for that day.
I'm not really sure.
I'm sure which party
I'm gonna vote for,
I'm not sure which person, individual, I'm gonna vote for,
because
I've never done it before.
I was never interested
in politics.
I don't read newspapers,
I don't watch TV,
as long as it's a movie,
but I don't watch the news
or anything.
But now, I think, people care
more, and I care more,
it makes me think
that I can be a part
of the result that comes out.
I feel that this is
my contribution.
This is something
that I have shared,
or something
that I've contributed.
But I'm hoping this could be
a positive step for people,
even if it isn't
a perfect future,
eventually, people
will learn how to vote
and have more control
on their future
and the people they choose
and their political parties.
Changing governments and people
is not going to affect the lives of the people,
unless they try to change
themselves in the beginning.
I don't see a close change,
or new change
coming in the future,
unless people start
changing themselves.
[music]
[singer in Arabic]
[laughs]
[in Arabic]
[in English] We were not
divided, now we are.
Before the revolution,
we were all, with all the sects
and different opinions
and different beliefs, against
the government, the regime.
But now, we are divided.
Into liberals, into Muslims,
and even the Muslims
are divided into two.
There's a major change
in all aspects of your life.
[singing in Arabic]
[in English] If the Muslim
brotherhood,
the Muslim Brothers,
they take over,
that's it.
It is a specific type
of Muslims.
You know, the Salafis,
the Sunnis.
Probably, I will switch,
you know?
I won't be able
to play my guitar anymore.
I think the only instrument
they allow is daf.
You know the daf?
The drum?
[music]
I fear if this society
becomes Islamic.
And if this happens, I'd either have to leave the country,
and I don't think
I want to do this,
or stay and pretend
I'm like one of those,
which is not an option.
So I could be
this mad individual.
I don't know.
[music]
I hope that I can belong here
and be stronger
to tolerate
what's going to happen.
[music]
[singing in Arabic]
It was our mistake
as people from Tahrir square
to leave Tahrir square
on February 11.
We were deceived.
It was a show.
Our generation is not idiot
and we won't bow down
to anybody who tells us:
"Be more peaceful,
enough is enough". Fuck you.
Go leave Egypt.
We don't want cowards
in Egypt anymore.
Egyptians aren't cowards.
The revolutionary spirit
has been...
instilled in lots of people,
I think those are who are
paving the path
for the future.
So unfortunately,
as with any beautiful thing,
lots of people
will try to destroy it.
That's what's happening now.
This revolution isn't for us,
or for our kids,
it's for our grand-kids.
We have to learn to talk
and listen to each other.
Bringing an end
to all the negativity
that we have in Egypt.
Bringing an end to all the...
terrible concepts
that we were living with.
And in all honesty,
I feel lucky
to be part of this generation.
I believe that change
is always for the best, but...
what really oppresses me
the most
is the dictatorship of religion.
So this needs a huge revolution,
you know?
People need to understand
how to practice their faith
in a respectful way.
That's the thing
that frightens me a bit.
How much God is...
I'd say, heavy on our shoulders,
every day.
I think there's a lot of work
still to be done
in the perception that we,
as Lebanese or Arabs,
are seen in other parts
of the world.
I think people in Europe,
if we were able to change
or to add something
to their knowledge, that's the biggest achievement.
You can change things
in a big scale
by starting
in a very small scale.
[host] We are very proud
to present
Zeid and the Wings.
[cheers]
They flew in
from all over the world
to be here tonight
in the Valley, here,
in Amsterdam.
And just give them
a warm applause,
Zeid and the Wings!
[applause]
This song goes
to all the military,
who should hand the power
to the civilians.
Man, go home!
[music]
Gene Gene General
General Suleiman
Gene Gene General
General Suleiman
Salam Salam Salam Aleik
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
For peace in our nation
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
I experienced,
there were a group of guys,
when you said like: "General
Suleiman, go home, go home",
they were like "go home" to you.
"Go home, go home."
-Yeah, but listen...
-I heard them.
Everywhere I sing this song,
people say that to me.
What scared me
was that one of them said:
"He's not gonna reach
the airport."
-Oh man, I didn't hear that.
-No. No, you didn't hear.
-Are you serious?
-Yes.
Oh, my God!
Well, anyway, it doesn't matter.
Everywhere, this happens.
These things.
Now, what is your next city?
Where are you going now?
I'm not gonna reach
the airport.
Put your weapons down
Put your weapons down
Now it's time To leave your warlords behind
Everything is fine And there'll be no more crime
Let the country shine
With general Suleiman
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
Gene Gene General
General Suleiman
Gene Gene General
General Suleiman
Salam Salam Salam Aleik
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
For peace in our nation
I just created a song
that I feel.
It's a nice translation
of thoughts and ideas
and the people I live with,
you know? It becomes theirs,
and when you meet
those people,
you have a link
without having met them,
because they shared
a very personal thing.
And I feel comfortable
with those people,
they are my friends.
I owe that to music, it's
a passport to the whole world.
I owe everything to music, man.
[rock music]
All the militia man,
Go home!
Corrupted politician,
Go home!
To weapon dealers say,
Go home!
To troublemakers say,
Go home!
Foreign intelligence,
Go home!
Neighbor influence, go home!
All the militia man,
Go home!
Corrupted politician,
Go home!
To weapon dealers say,
Go home!
To troublemakers say,
Go home!
Foreign intelligence,
Go home!
Neighbor influence, go home!
Gene Gene General
General Suleiman
Gene Gene General
General Suleiman
Salam Salam Salam Aleik
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
For peace in our nation
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
General Suleiman
You're a miracle man
Gene Gene general
Go home!
Have a nice night. Bye.
[applause]
[spectator] Go home!
I will.
[music]
I met a lot of people,
not only from Lebanon.
And everyone
has the same dreams.
Most people I meet
just want to, you know,
enjoy this fucking life.
I don't have
a bigger dream, no.
I have a lot of dreams.
Falling in love.
Oh, man.
I love falling in love.
That's the dream.
As simple as that.
A beautiful person
that is completely
inspiring.
Then, I would be ready
to do anything
just to
please her.
I like that.
I'm not afraid of that.
If it comes, I accept it.
[Safi] What's happening
around the world
is collective consciousness
and I'm happy to have tapped
into that, you know?
The world is changing,
a new energy is rising.
It's a young energy.
We're all counting
on this energy
to take us
where we want to go, I guess.
[Lumi] The coming years
aren't going to be easy.
It's not going to be
bright instantly.
My hope towards the future is
I wish people will become
more tolerant
towards the other
and become more aware
that people should be different.
If we're all the same,
then this is not living,
it's not real life.
[Amer Shomali]
My fear is that in 40 years
we will be hoping
for another revolution
to get rid of the regimes
we will get now.
But this is only a fear.
When you taste
freedom and dignity,
you can't live
without them anymore.
And I think we've had this taste of freedom and dignity.
I don't think we are going back.
[in Arabic]
[in English]
Cultural resistance, people.
Believe in cultural resistance.
Because the oppressor
is afraid of culture.
That is our weapon.
[Shadi Zaqtan]
We are going far
from where our fathers
and grandfathers stood.
If we have a Palestinian state, I will sing...
I will start singing
love stories.
My goal is to...
go to our roots.
If my gun couldn't take me,
maybe my guitar...
[Zeid Hamdan]
I've been experiencing
so much conflict
in the last few years
that I think whatever happens,
I'll always find a way to just
continue building
and struggling
to make our lives,
something decent.
Whatever the crisis.
I mean, I've lived through civil wars, and then...
invasions,
and then bombings.
It's been crazy and we've
managed to survive, so...
I think it's in our essence
to build and build,
whatever happens.
I'm living my dream.
It's a real dream.
I have achieved my dream. I am free and I bring my music.
But I don't own anything,
I have no security,
I'll get old without money
on the side,
and I don't know what tomorrow
is made of, I don't know.
I have no security whatsoever.
I just have
the comfort of achieving
my dream, you know?
Reality is a gift.
I wake up gifted.
I'm lucky.
[music]
[singer in Arabic]