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 ofthe drama 52 Blue from Egyptiandirector Ali El Arabi,whichworld premieres Sunday, April 19 at the Washington D.C. International Film Festival, akaFilmFest DC. It isa spiritual successor to the filmmakers documentaryCaptains of Zaatari.

The cast includes Yadav Shashidharas Ashish, Bollywood star Neha Dhupiaas Ashishs mother, Adil Hussain(Life of Pi) as Ashishs father and Sanal Aman. Indian music superstar Badshah produced an original song,Its Your Turn,as an anthem for the movie.

52 Blue comes from El Arabia Egyptian-U.S. production company Ambient Light Films, which was behind Sudans Oscar submission Goodbye Julia, which El Arabi produced. Produced by El Arabi, the film was executive producedby Tariq Al-Naama and co-producedby 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 directors 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.