Walls Cannot Keep Us From Flying

Jonathan Mehring 2021 West Bank, Palestine

Arabic (subtitled)

Walls Cannot Keep Us From Flying is a beautiful film that looks at skateboarding as a growing sub-culture in Palestine.  Omar and Yasmeen, like many other young people in Palestine, lack basic freedom and face obstacles of the Israeli occupation, but both are determined to make the best of life as they understand it.

This film shows how connected skateboard culture is and what a positive influence it is on young people and marginalised communities.  The film is a glimpse into the role of skateboarding in Palestine today. The last few years has seen the rise of skate parks built by volunteers from around the world, with the aim of enhancing the lives of young people. 

Both films highlight how for Palestinians, to exist is to resist.  To climb and to skate and find joy in one's existence is to make that resistance even more forceful.