Synopsis
Ricky Nasser is a young Australian whose peaceful suburban life turns to hell when his sister Ameena disappears without a trace. In a climate of distrust and xenophobia, Ricky is forced to denounce her as an extremist.
Slam
Cast
Adam Bakri Rachael Blake Rebecca Breeds Darina Al Joundi Danielle Horvat Abbey Aziz Damian Hill Lourdes Abdishou Julian Maroun Russell Dykstra David Roberts Nicholas Hope Neda Aslani Chloé Boreham Nisrine Amine Simon Elrahi David Nicoll Greg Eccleston Mardi Edge Brendan Donoghue Charles Billeh Alison Headrick Izaak Love George Rafael Annie Byron Robert Roworth Paul Whiddon Katherine Beckett Brooke Doherty Show All…
Director
Producers
Writer
Casting
Editor
Cinematography
Assistant Directors
Executive Producer
Production Design
Art Direction
Set Decoration
Composer
Sound
Costume Design
Makeup
Studios
Invisible Republic Dolce Vita Films The Koop Adhésive Production Sandbox Productions (AU) Studio KGB (FR)
Countries
Language
Alternative Title
Slam 2018
Genre
Releases by Date
Premiere
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Estonia
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
15 Jun 2019
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AustraliaMA 15+
Sydney Film Festival
Theatrical
17 Oct 2019
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AustraliaMA 15+
01 Dec 2021
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France
Digital
01 Jul 2020
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AustraliaMA 15+
Releases by Country
Australia
15 Jun 2019
- PremiereMA 15+ Sydney Film Festival
17 Oct 2019
- TheatricalMA 15+ Australian Theatrical (Bonsai Films)
01 Jul 2020
- DigitalMA 15+ Binge Foxtel AU
Estonia
28 Nov 2018
- Premiere Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
France
01 Dec 2021
- Theatrical French Theatrical (Wayna Pitch)
Popular reviews
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"Sometimes people just don't wanna be found"
Ricky Nasser (Adam Bakri) receives a frantic phone call in the middle of the night from his mother begging him to help find out why his sister Ameena (Danielle Horvat) hasn't come home. Ameena is an outspoken slam poet and activist for left wing causes, so as her unresolved disappearance stretches on, the story becomes politically charged. Due to the backdrop of an Australian pilot being captured by ISIS, a xenophobic media narrative begins to form about Ameena joining the terrorists. As Ricky uncovers more and more pieces of the puzzle of his sister's life, even his belief in her begins to waver.
As a mystery, Slam is a little on the slow…
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Really dug this film. Felt very familiar, but at the same time very different to other Aussie pictures . A fresh perspective. Super powerful. And highlighting a very real issue within contemporary society in a nuanced, yet aggressive way. One of the best Australian films I have seen this year!
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I don’t know, it tackles several relevant issues (the insecurity women live every day everywhere, discrimination based on prejudice, islamic fundamentalism, terrorism induced paranoia, double standards, alcoholism, domestic violence), but tries to cover one too many and ultimately fails in delivering its message. The policewoman’s story, however relevant, feels like surplus as it doesn’t fit the rest. It just reminds us that nowhere is safe, even peaceful countries like Australia have racism and violence.
No sé, como que trata de cubrir muchos temas relevantes (la inseguridad que viven las mujeres todo el tiempo y en todos lados, discriminación basada en prejuicios, fundamentalismo islámico, paranoia inducida por el terrorismo, doble moral, alcoholismo, violencia doméstica), pero trata de abarcar demasiado y falla en transmitir su mensaje. La historia de la mujer policía, aunque también relevante, se siente de sobra pues no encaja con el resto. Sólo nos recuerda que ningún lugar es seguro e incluso países pacíficos como Australia tienen racismo.
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Over the film’s tight running time, characterisation and storyline unspool at an unhurried pace which, when coupled with some darkly elegant cinematography, expert utilisation of colour and excellent performances by the two leads, ensure ‘Slam’ is never less than compelling and through-provoking viewing.
- Jake WattRead Jake's full article...
www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-slam-a-gripping-urban-mystery -
A young muslim girl disappears, against the background of Australia's involvement in the fight against ISIS.
This is just very, very flat. The acting is messy, the story predictable, what are clearly meant to be emotional high points in the film never convince. The whole cop sub-plot never felt like anything more than a tacked on excuse for extra drama. It is not unwatchable, but that doesn't mean you should.
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So full of cliches and ridiculous plot inconsistencies I regret watching it. I think I stuck through to the end because it is rated 8.0 on MUBI. Next time I won’t let good ratings fool me. Now I’m wondering if Letterboxd viewers are more discerning than MUBI viewers…
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DAVID: ★★★★
David Stratton’s Review, for Palace Cinemas:
If ever a film reflected Australia's multicultural status, it’s SLAM, which was written and directed by Indian-born Sydney-based Partho Sen-Gupta, his third feature after two he made in India. It tells the timely and provocative story of complicated race relations. In the opening sequence, Ameena Nasser (Danielle Horvat), wearing a hijab and looking down the eye of the camera, reads a very beautiful poem she's written. She's performing in a slam poetry reading, and when she finishes her read, she goes outside the hall onto the suburban street and smokes a cigarette. Ameena doesn't come home that night, and her mother Rana (Darina Al Joundi), with whom she lives, becomes concerned for…
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An important film addressing Islamophobia in Australia. Set in Bankstown and inner west Sydney. 🍉
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Xenofobia a la orden del día. Xenofobia por parte de tu esposa, familia, tus amigos y la ley, muchas gracias.
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Vemos la selva, luego a Ameena recitando el poema que da nombre a la película; dicho poema habla de la impotencia que siente su autora ante la injusticia, como espectadora, y eventualmente, como víctima. Al final se muestran las mismas escenas, pero continúan con lo que se esconde al principio; el cuerpo de Ameena, y su secuestro. Ambas escenas cuentan el principio de todo lo que se desarrolla durante la película, sin mostrar nada, porque la ambigüedad de los hechos permiten entender la historia desde el prejuicio de los personajes y del espectador. Paralelo a la historia de Ameena y su hermano, Ricky/Tareq, tenemos la historia de la oficial a cargo del caso, Joanne, luchando contra sus propios demonios; la…
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Riki's sister Ameena is a slam poet . After a performance at the local community centre one night she fails to come home, so Riki files a missing person's report. Somehow the fact that Ameena wears a hijab and write political poetry distracts the police from looking for her in Sydney and they decide that she's left the country and become a terrorist, and this is the story that's fed to the media. Riki's life (and that of his wife, daughter and mother) becomes intolerable due to media hounding, until Ameena's body is found in local bushland. It's not a cheerful watch and its message is one we wish we weren't familiar with: that immigrants are tolerated at best and treated with suspicion and hostility at worst
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The script is well-balanced and the subject matter very poignant - the exploration of racism, religion, and sexism in Australia. It’s a pity that it’s all marred by some heavy-handed directing and an annoying score.