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Mohawks,
stage diving, fists flying. Homemade band t-shirts, circle pits,
singalongs. These scenes are not unfamiliar; They have flooded
pop culture imagery for over 25 years. The punk rock ethos gains
new relevance in Israel when band members' choices are often
between picking up a guitar or picking up a gun.
Jericho's
Echo introduces us to some of the colorful characters of the little-known
Israeli punk scene, and gives us insights into their lives through interviews,
verite' scenes, and live musical footage. The young people in these
bands represent the future of this important region, and their views
are not those usually portrayed by the mainstream media.
A
topic that figures greatly in these young punks' lives is the decision
of whether or not to fulfill their mandatory military service. One of
the only ways to avoid service is to undergo evaluation by the Military
Psychiatrist and be legally deemed psychotic. This is the route that
many punks have decided to take. The implications of this decision are
thoughtfully covered in the documentary, along with topics ranging from
the Israeli Religious Right, to suicide bombings and the future of the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Ultimately,
Jericho's Echo displays a positive message by showing the perseverance
of these relative outcasts to make their art and make changes in society
despite the pressures to conform and the difficulties of living in a
seemingly un-ending war zone.
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