Channels of Rage: A Response to the Documentary

Channels of Rage is a film that tells the story of three Israeli rappers as the try to make it in the music industry and raise awareness to the problems between Israel and Palestine. The award winning documentary was very interesting and well shot. The cinematography of the film was amazing. I feel the movie provided its audience with an accurate portrayal of the lives of Israeli rappers and the struggles they face. The film was intriguing in the way in which it displayed the power of music. The documentary showed how music is used to make political statements.

However, I feel the movie also provided a different view. Rather than solely focusing on the music and its effect I feel the documentary reinforced stereotypical aspects of life associated with rappers. The film showed the artists partying, wearing baggy clothes, using vulgar language, and wearing flashy jewelry.

Although the film had a powerful message, I feel that the story portrayed is not a positive one. The original goals of the artists were to bring light to the situation, but the film ended in a manner that the made me feel as if the artists just increased the problems and hatred that are in Israel. In the process of becoming well know Shadow's and Subliminal's fans shouted discriminatory phrases and Tamer was arrested.