Recommended by… Jackie Reem Salloum
Jackie Reem Salloum is a New York-based artist and film-maker with Syrian and Palestinian roots. Slingshot Hip Hop, her first feature-length film, premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. The documentary examines the lives of hip-hop artists in the West Bank and Gaza, and will be screened at the Dubai International Film Festival, taking place on 11-18 December. www.slingshothiphop.com

Book Persepolis
by Marjane Satrapi
Rarely do we see a book written by a Middle Eastern woman that is critical of her own society without playing into the usual “the West is better than the East” discourse. I love this novel because Satrapi’s intelligent writing and the accessible medium of cartoon tell her story in a way that challenges people’s perceptions of women in Iran and women throughout the Middle East.

Film West Beirut
by Ziad Doueiri
I hadn’t seen a film on the Lebanese civil war until West Beirut. It gave such a visually captivating depiction of what I had only read about up until then. Telling the story through the eyes of teenagers added an edginess and adventure to such a tragic time. Ziad Doueiri did an amazing job of casting the characters and conveying a beautiful, unique and touching story that only someone from Lebanon could tell.

CD Ihda
by DAM
Ihda (Dedication) is the first album by DAM, the best-known Palestinian hip-hop crew. Their song Meen Irhabi (Who’s the Terrorist) inspired me to make Slingshot Hip Hop. With little money or support, Dam put together an amazing album. They combine US hip-hop influences with their own culture, language and musical styles. I’ve seen them perform live over 100 times and still get excited every time.