Baghdad Messi (Arabic: ميسي بغداد) is a 2023 drama film directed by Sahim Omar Kalifa and with a screenplay by Kobe Van Steenberghe from a story by Kobe Van Steenberghe and Ruth Mallaerts. It is about an Iraqi boy who, after losing his leg in a terrorist attack, will fight to continue enjoying his passion: soccer.[3] It is based on the 2012 short film of the same name by the same director. It is a co-production between Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Iraq.[4]
| Baghdad Messi | |
|---|---|
 Promotional release poster | |
| Directed by | Sahim Omar Kalifa |
| Screenplay by | Kobe Van Steenberghe |
| Story by | Kobe Van Steenberghe Ruth Mallaerts |
| Based on | Baghdad Messi by Sahim Omar Kalifa Kobe Van Steenberghe |
| Produced by | Hendrik Verthé Kobe Van Steenberghe |
| Starring | Ahmed Mohammed Abdullah |
| Cinematography | Anton Mertens |
| Edited by | Dorith Vinken |
| Music by | Frédéric Vercheval |
Production companies | A Team Productions 10.80 Films Column Film Mitos Film |
| Distributed by | The Searchers[1] |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 88 minutes |
| Countries | Belgium The Netherlands Germany Iraq |
| Languages | Arabic Kurdish |
| Box office | $40,528[2] |
It was selected as the Iraqi entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.[5]
Synopsis
editHamoudi is a little boy of 11 who loves soccer and dreams of reaching the level of his idol Lionel Messi. One day he is the victim of an attempted suicide attack in Iraq, causing him to lose a leg. While his parents strive at all costs to protect the family, Hamoudi is determined to fight to make his shattered dream come true.[6]
Cast
edit- Ahmed Mohammed Abdullah as Hamoudi
- Christian Renson as John
- Zahraa Ghandour as Salwa
- Atheer Adel
- Errol Trotman-Harewood as Duncan
- Atheer Adel
- Safa Najem
- Adil Abdulrahman
- Hussein Hassan as Bahoz
- Ravand Zaid as Soldier 1
- Saman Mustefa as Soldier 2
- Bangen Ali as Check Point Soldier
Production
editPrincipal photography took place in 2021 within the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, the same place where the short film was recorded.[7]
Release
editFestivals
editIt had its world premiere on January 28, 2023, at the Ostend Film Festival,[8] then screened on March 5, 2023, at the Luxembourg City Film Festival,[9] on June 10, 2023, at the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival,[10] and on April 25, 2024, at the Malmo Arab Film Festival.[11]
Theatrical
editIt was commercially released on April 12, 2023, in Belgian theaters,[12] and on August 3, 2023, in Dutch theaters.[13]
Accolades
edit| Year | Award / Festival | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Ostend Film Festival | Look Prize for Best Film | Baghdad Messi | Nominated | [14] |
| Ensor - Best Director | Sahim Omar Kalifa | Nominated | |||
| Ensor - Best Cinematography | Anton Mertens | Nominated | |||
| 25th Shanghai International Film Festival | Audience Choice Award for Film | Baghdad Messi | Nominated | [15][16] | |
| Media Choice Award for Film | Nominated | ||||
| SCHLiNGEL - International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience | Award of the Junior Jury | Won | [17] | ||
| 26th Arpa International Film Festival | Best Feature Narrative Film | Won | [18][19] | ||
| Best Director | Sahim Omar Kalifa | Won | |||
| Best Screenplay | Kobe Van Steenberghe | Won |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Meer info over langspeelfilmversie Baghdad Messi onthuld". Vertigo (in Dutch). 2021-06-28. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ "Baghdad Messi". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on 2024-09-05. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ "Baghdad Messi". Nederlands Film Festival. 2024-02-24. Archived from the original on 2024-02-24. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "La coproduction belge 'Baghdad Messi' représentera l'Irak aux Oscars". RTBF (in French). Archived from the original on 2024-09-05. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ "Baghdad Messi to be Iraq's entry for 2025 Oscars". Rudaw Media Network. August 27, 2024. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ "Baghdad Messi, première coproduction de The Searchers, sélectionné au Festival du Film d'Ostende". The Searchers. 22 December 2022. Archived from the original on 2024-09-05. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ Rasheed, Hunar. "Baghdad Messi begins filming in Kurdistan Region". Rudaw Media Network. Archived from the original on 2024-07-05. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ "Baghdad Messi maakt indruk op het Filmfestival van Oostende! - Cinevox" (in Dutch). 2023-01-31. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ "Baghdad Messi". Lux Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2024-09-05. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ "New Activities Announced as Belt and Road Film Week Kicks Off". Shanghai International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2024-09-05. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ "Baghdad Messi". Malmo Arab Film Festival. 2024-03-09. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ "Op de première van Baghdad Messi!". Cinevox (in Dutch). 2023-04-07. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ Jonk, Erik (2023-08-02). "Baghdad Messi: je bent 11, hebt een voetbaldroom, maar verliest een been..." Metronieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ "LOOK!-competition 2023". Filmfestival Oostende. Archived from the original on 2024-09-05. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ "2023 The Belt and Road Film Week Film Line-up". Shanghai International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2024-09-05. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ "Shanghai International Film Festival (2023)". IMDb. Archived from the original on 2024-09-05. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ "Winners | SCHLINGEL - Internationales Filmfestival". International Film Festival for Children and Young Audience. 2024-08-28. Archived from the original on 2024-08-28. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "26th Annual Arpa International Film Festival Official Selection (2023)". Arpa International Film Festival. 2023-09-24. Archived from the original on 2024-09-05. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ "WINNERS of the 26th Arpa International Film Festival (2023)". Arpa International Film Festival. 2023-11-25. Archived from the original on 2024-08-28. Retrieved 2024-08-28.