El Arena

The political situation in Beirut was already unstable before recent events saw further chaos in the Lebanese capital. Filmed over several years – and against this turbulent backdrop – filmmaker Jay B. Jammal follows Arena organisers Chyno and Maggie, alongside rappers Dizaster, Al Darwish, Illiam, Kallash and The Synaptic, as they playfully vie for a much-coveted prize. Outside the Arena the country’s crumbling economy becomes debilitating and people's discontent erupts into protest and uprising. Naturally, the battles become more political – and tougher to organise. As disillusionment and PTSD increases, the future seems unknown.