Here is the trailer from the upcoming film #CaptainOfZaatari CAPTAINS OF ZA’ATARI. The film is directed by Ali El Arabi.
Two best friends trapped in the Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan have an undying dream of becoming professional soccer players. When a world renowned sports academy visits the camp, they now have a chance to make this dream come true.
Ali Eli Arabi’s feature documentary Captains of Za’atari follows Mahmoud and Fawz as they pursue their dream. Though they both have no sense of what the future holds for them, they focus their energy together on their first love: soccer. Despite the dire circumstances in the camp, they practice day in and day out, believing firmly that playing professionally is their ticket to freedom.
When Aspire Academy, one of the world’s leading sports academies, arrives to pick players for an international tournament in Doha, they quickly identify Mahmoud as a talent and fly him there, while Fawzi is left behind due to a technicality. Mahmoud is boarding a plane for the first time and is taking in the experience, while Fawzi is facing the difficult reality in Zaatari.
Unexpectedly, the Aspire coaches decide to fly Fawzi in to join his team. The two best friends train and compete in the most important soccer matches of their lives, while their families in Zaatari watch via satellite. After the final match, they speak at a press conference. On behalf of the displaced people of Syria, they make clear that people need an opportunity, not pity. Three years later they grew to young men. They are still stuck in Zaatari, still troubled by fears of an insecure future.
