Watch Slipping: Skate's Impact on Egypt

Slipping: Skate's Impact on Egypt is an eye-opening documentary that explores the growth of skateboarding culture in the North African country of Egypt. Shot entirely on location in Cairo, the film is an inspiring account of how skateboarding has empowered young Egyptians to challenge their preconceived notions about themselves and their country.

Directed by Steven Sebring and co-produced by the legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk, the movie centers around three Egyptian skateboarders: Cherif Herrawi, Omar Herrawi, and Cairo Foster. Cherif and Omar are brothers who started skating a few years ago, while Cairo is a professional skater from the United States who travels to Egypt to explore the country's skateboarding scene.

The movie opens with a montage of Cairo's skateboarding exploits in famous spots around the world. We see him performing daring stunts in front of landmarks such as the Colosseum in Rome and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. However, the real story begins when Cairo arrives in Cairo, and the scenery shifts to a bustling, chaotic metropolis.

One of the movie's main strengths is its depiction of everyday life in Cairo. We see people going about their business, children playing in the streets, and the omnipresent traffic jams. Against this backdrop, skateboarding seems like an outlier, a subculture that doesn't quite fit in. However, as the movie progresses, we see how skateboarding can be a way of reclaiming public spaces and expressing oneself in a unique way.

Cherif and Omar are the perfect embodiment of this idea. They are both members of a small but dedicated skateboarding crew who skate in public spaces such as parking lots and rooftops. These spots may not be ideal, but they represent a kind of urban playground that the skateboarders have made their own. We see them perform tight tricks and jumps, often surrounded by curious onlookers who seem both amazed and perplexed.

As Cairo joins the skateboarding crew, we get a sense of how skateboarding has the power to transcend cultural barriers and create bonds between people who may not have otherwise met. Cairo is an outsider in many ways, a white American who doesn't speak Arabic, but he quickly becomes friends with Cherif and Omar. They share stories about their lives, their dreams, and their frustrations, and Cairo gets a glimpse of what it's like to live in a country that is still grappling with poverty, corruption, and political unrest.

Through interviews with the skateboarders and other young Egyptians, the movie touches on some of these issues, but it never feels preachy or didactic. Instead, it lets the skateboarding culture speak for itself, showing how it has evolved from a niche activity to a genuine form of self-expression.

One of the movie's most memorable scenes is when Cairo and the Herrawi brothers visit a skatepark in Alexandria, one of Egypt's largest cities. The park is a testament to the growing popularity of skateboarding in the country, and we see dozens of skaters of all ages and backgrounds whizzing around, laughing, and chatting. It's a moment of pure joy and camaraderie, and it's clear that skateboarding has become a way of life for many Egyptians.

However, the movie also shows how skateboarding culture still faces challenges in Egypt. There are no official skateparks in Cairo, and skaters must often improvise their own obstacles and ramps. Moreover, skateboarding is still seen by some as a frivolous or dangerous pastime, and the authorities sometimes crack down on street skating.

In the end, though, Slipping: Skate's Impact on Egypt is an uplifting and inspiring film. It shows how skateboarding can be more than just a sport or a hobby; it can be a way of asserting oneself in a world that often tries to put people in boxes. The skateboarders in this movie may come from different backgrounds, but they share a love of the ride, and that's something that transcends all boundaries.

Slipping: Skate's Impact on Egypt is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 56 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 9.0.