META Film Fest: El Arena

El Arena navigates the underground world of battle rap in the Middle East, taking a first of its kind look into the stories, struggles, and perspectives of its most talented figures. Thanks to Lebanon's relatively liberal freedom of speech laws, Arab rappers from across the region come to Beirut to compete against one another. Outside of The Arena, these men's lives are defined by crumbling daily socioeconomic structures and war. But on the inside, they fight for a chance to be crowned king. Set against the backdrop of the current degradation of the region, and climaxing with the devastating 2020 Beirut Explosion, El Arena paints a picture of struggle, war, politics, and the ounce of hope that comes when raw talent is allowed to shine.