Slam

Synopsis

Ameena, a young hijab wearing Australian of Palestinian origin, disappears one night after featuring in a slam poetry gathering in the suburbs of Sydney. An Australian air force fighter is shot down over Syria and the pilot is captured by the IS. The two unconnected events wreak hell in the quiet suburban life of Ricky (Tariq, Ameena’s brother) who runs a small neighbourhood hipster café with his wife Sally.

The case is handed to Police inspector, Joanne Hendricks, only weeks back at her job following a long convalescence after a nervous breakdown brought on by her son, Ryan’s death a few years earlier in Afghanistan. Despite all Joanne’s efforts, Ameena cannot be found. In a climate of mistrust and xenophobia, it is suggested in the media that she is not a missing person but a ‘home grown radical’ who has gone to Syria to join the Islamic State. The pilot is cruelly assassinated and the video circulated. The state and the media put into force a performance of discipline and punishment.

Despite his innocence, Ricky must atone for the sins of all those deemed responsible and, for the sake of his family, denounce his sister. But, for Joanne, the only way to rid herself of her ghosts is to discover the truth behind Ameena’s disappearance.