World Cinema
Baghdad Messi / Baghdad Messi
Screening Schedule
Screening 1
- 15th December
- 8.30 pm
- new 1
Screening 2
- 16th December
- 8.30 pm
- tagore
Screening 3
- 19th December
- 11.45 am
- Sree Padmanabha
Sahim Omar Kalifa
Director's bio
Sahim Omar Kalifa
Kalifa was born in 1980 in Mogadishu, Somalia. Kalifa developed an interest in filmmaking and began his career in the film industry. He gained recognition for his short films, which often explored themes of identity, culture, and social justice. In 2019, Kalifa made his feature film debut with "Zwischen uns" (Between Us). However, it was his 2022 film " Zagros" that brought him international acclaim. Kalifa's work often blends elements of drama, documentary, and social commentary, offering a unique perspective on the human experience.
Synopsis
The talented Hamoudi is an 11-year-old boy with a passion for soccer and an ultimate dream to one day reach the level of his idol Lionel Messi. The day Hamoudi is caught in a horrific suicide attempt, he wakes up severely injured in a hospital. As his parents struggle to keep the family safe, Hamoudi is determined to fight for his shattered dream.
Details of Cast
- Ahmed Mohammed Abdullah as Hamoudi - Atheer Adel - Zahraa Ghandour as Salwa - Safa Najem - Adil Abdulrahman - Hussein Hassan as Bahoz - Ravand Zaid as Soldier 1 - Saman Mustefa as Soldier 2 - Bangen Ali as Check Point Soldier
Details of Crew
- Cinematography: Anton Mertens - Edited by: Dorith Vinken - Music by: Frédéric Vercheval
Producer Details
Hendrik Verthé, Kobe Van Steenberghe
Writer Details
Kobe Van Steenberghe
Stills
Films in this category
2024
Black Dog
2024
Queer
2023
Light Falls
2023
Kneecap
2024
Algiers
2024
The Divorce
2024
Pierce
2024
An Unfinished Film
Categories
- International Competition (14)
- Homage (4)
- Country Focus (7)
- Indian Cinema Now (7)
- Kaleidoscope (6)
- Malayalam Cinema Today (12)
- Restored Classics (7)
- Jury Films (5)
- Opening Film (1)
- Spirit of Cinema (1)
- Ann Hui: Chronicler of the Outliers (5)
- The Female Gaze (7)
- Signatures In Motion (3)
- Midnight Cinema (3)
- Festival Favourites (13)
- Viva el Cine: Latin American Films (5)
- Refracted Realities : The Existential Mindscapes of Hong Sang-soo (4)
- Chiaroscuro : Retrospective of Madhu Ambat (4)
- Celebrating Shabana Azmi (5)
- Centennial Tribute (3)
