After years of being sheltered by his father, Ashish, a young man from an island in Kerala, India – leaves his isolated home in pursuit of achieving an unusual goal in memory of his late brother. Empowered by his mother, he goes on a journey to the 2022 soccer World Cup in Qatar, with the hopes of meeting his childhood idol, Argentine star player Lionel Messi.
This journey of self-discovery on the way to possibly meeting the soccer legend, who now plays for Inter Milan in the MLS, lies at the core of the drama 52 Blue from Egyptian director Ali El Arabi, which world premieres Sunday, April 19 at the Washington D.C. International Film Festival, aka FilmFest DC. It is a spiritual successor to the filmmaker’s documentary Captains of Za’atari.
The cast includes Yadav Shashidhar as Ashish, Bollywood star Neha Dhupia as Ashish’s mother, Adil Hussain (Life of Pi) as Ashish’s father and Sanal Aman. Indian music superstar Badshah produced an original song, “It’s Your Turn,” as an anthem for the movie.
52 Blue comes from El Arabi’a Egyptian-U.S. production company Ambient Light Films, which was behind Sudan’s Oscar submission Goodbye Julia, which El Arabi produced. Produced by El Arabi, the film was executive produced by Tariq Al-Naama and co-produced by Krysanne Katsoolis, Joe Matthews and Khalid Al Arabi.
Messi is not part of the film in any official capacity, but is understood to have privately lent his support to the creative team.
Lionel Messi signing ’52 Blue’ posters, courtesy of Ambient Light Films
“52 Blue is a story of finding joy, freedom, and purpose amidst adversity, and it shows that each individual has the right to choose their path in life and have their own lived experiences,” El Arabi said in a director’s statement. “The story is told through the languages of movement, using football and dance, making it accessible and relatable to everyone around the world.”
He added: “I invite you to live my life, one that commenced as an experience without the grant to live it, and the quest for a friend who is not truly a friend. It is an endeavor to liberate oneself from inherited generational trauma.”
THR can now exclusively premiere a trailer for 52 Blue. It shows Messi on the pitch, Ashish in Messi jerseys at different ages, family conflicts, and the young man on a trip of a lifetime to follow his dream. Watch the trailer for 52 Blue here.
