Hurdle is a 2019 documentary film directed by Michael Rowley that shines a light on the lives of Palestinian youth in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. The film takes on the dual themes of parkour - an athletic discipline that involves navigating obstacles as quickly and creatively as possible - and the daily struggles faced by young Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.
The film begins by introducing us to a group of young Palestinian men and women who practice parkour as a form of self-expression and resistance. We follow them as they run, jump, and flip through the narrow alleyways and rooftops of Bethlehem, using their bodies to overcome the physical barriers that surround them. The camera work is visually stunning, capturing the beauty and grace of the athletes' movements as they improvise their way through the urban landscape.
But as the film progresses, we come to see that parkour is more than just a sport or a hobby for these young people. It is a way of reclaiming their own sense of agency and freedom in a world where they are constantly restricted and controlled. We see them confront checkpoints, soldiers, and walls that divide their communities, using their bodies as tools of creative protest.
At the same time, the film does not shy away from the harsh realities of life in the West Bank. We witness the daily humiliations and injustices that Palestinians face under occupation, from the demolition of homes to the routine harassment and violence perpetrated by Israeli soldiers. The young people we meet in the film must navigate a world where their mobility and basic rights are limited at every turn.
One of the most powerful aspects of the film is the way it weaves together the personal stories of the parkour athletes with the broader political context in which they live. We see them talking about their dreams and ambitions, whether it's becoming a professional athlete, a filmmaker, or a teacher. But we also see them grappling with the reality that their futures are uncertain, constrained by the structural violence of the occupation.
Perhaps most movingly, the film shows us the ties of community and solidarity that exist among these young people. Despite the challenges they face, they support and inspire one another, forming their own tight-knit networks of family and friendship. We see how parkour can bring people together, forging bonds that transcend the arbitrary divisions of race, religion, and nationality.
Overall, Hurdle is a powerful and thought-provoking film that offers a unique window into the lives of Palestinian youth. It is a tribute to the resilience and creativity of a generation that refuses to be defined solely by the circumstances of their birth. Through parkour and other forms of expression, they are carving out their own paths, and pushing back against the limitations that threaten to stifle them.
Hurdle is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.
