Zajal- The Art Of Poetic Duel

"Zajal- The Art of Poetic Duel" traces the thread of this form of improvised poetic duel from it's origins in the Middle East, the history and culture that it emerges from and simillar oral traditions from around the world through to it's resonance in contemporary art forms like battle rap, cypher, spoken word and poetry slams.

It reflects the universality of poetry and human expression, the depth of the cultural legacy that we share in, the transformative power of the word and the warmth, beauty and joy of life.

Featuring Palestinian zajjaalla Maria Abu Wasal and Australian zajaal Antoine Barsouna, Issam Melki, Charbel Beini, Nizar Ashjar, Palestinian academic and media activist Yousef Alreemawi, contemporary spoken word artists Ahmad Al-Rady, Zohab Zee Khan, Nour Abouzeid, Abdul Hammoud and Miles Merrill, hip hop artists Hugo Farrant (of Rap News- along with Giordano Nanni and team), Palestinian hip hop crew DAM, Morganics and Elf Tranzporter and the music of Filastine, MOnkey MArc, Elf Tranzporter, Metin Yilzac, Imad Rabeay, Amer Al-Saeedi and Rosco Heck.

Producer / Director- SARAH MCDONALD, Editor- TIM PARISH, Assistant Editors- JEEVIKA RAJAGOPAL and FLORENT TOURVIELLE, Filming / Production Crew- JEEVIKA RAJAGOPAL and FLORENT TOURVIELLE, Translation- YOUSEF ALREEMAWI, Subtitle Editor- JEEVIKA RAJAGOPAL, Scripting and Narration- SARAH MCDONALD and Sound Design- CY GORMAN.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, it's arts funding and advisory body.