Duchenne Boys (2021)

Sohrab sets out to form two teams, one British, one Iranian, and have them compete online in the first Duchenne football video game tournament. Leaving the recruitment of the British team to Matin, he sets out on a deeply personal journey back to Iran to find the players who will make up the opposing squad. Upon exploring the condition in Iran Sohrab faces the grim realities of life within care systems paralyzed by poverty and misinformation. He finds his own guilt and self-blame mirrored by a superstitious society who believe that Duchenne is a punishment from God. But despite all the hardships and systematic failures, the light of these boys shines through. They joke and tease one another, play match after match of table football and FIFA, speak with pride of Persepolis FC and show wide-eyed adoration of Messi. The more young Iranian Duchenners he meets, the more Sohrab is inspired by their energy, innocence and hope. But, as is all too often the case with conditions this severe, tragedy awaits.