Home / Arts and Entertainment / London Indian Film Fest Opens with Messi-Inspired Drama
London Indian Film Fest Opens with Messi-Inspired Drama
7 May
Summary
- The film '52 Blue' will have its European premiere at the festival.
- It follows a young man's journey from Kerala to Qatar for Messi.
- The festival spans 20 venues across six UK cities.
The 17th London Indian Film Festival commences with the European premiere of '52 Blue' at BFI Southbank on July 9, with a subsequent screening in Birmingham on July 10. This coming-of-age drama chronicles Ashish's journey from a secluded island in Kerala to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, driven by his admiration for Lionel Messi. Directed by Ali El Arabi, the film features Adil Hussain and Neha Dhupia as Ashish's parents.
The festival, which includes the Birmingham and Manchester Indian Film Festivals, will take place at 20 venues across six U.K. cities. Supported by the BFI Audience Projects Fund, it presents films in 10 languages. Festival director Cary Rajinder Sawhney highlighted the film's inspirational narrative about overcoming odds and the global experiences of Indian people.
Director Ali El Arabi expressed his gratitude for the film's screening at Europe's largest South Asian film festival. He emphasized the universal power of stories to transcend borders and connect with audiences emotionally, hoping the film encourages young people to pursue their dreams without limits.
