‘Baghdad Messi’ Review: A Heartfelt Social Realist Drama From Iraq

Story by Richard Kuipers

Image from Variety

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A young Iraqi boy's dream of becoming the 'Baghdad Messi' collides with the harsh realities of war in this powerful social drama.

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Director Sahim Omar Kalifa expands his acclaimed 2012 short film into a poignant feature that explores the impact of the second Gulf War on ordinary Iraqis.
The film's central character, a soccer-obsessed boy, symbolizes the shattered hopes and dreams of a nation struggling to survive amidst the violence and fear of conflict.

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Sahim Omar Kalifa, 'Baghdad Messi'