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"Game On" by Sohrab Kavir

Dania Ahmed • 10 February 2020
Announcement of the date and sale of tickets for the screening of "Game On" at the London Film School will be announced shortly. Thank you for your patience.
Iranian filmmaker, Sohrab Kavir's family was completely devastated by the loss of three of Kavir's brothers to the inherited familial form of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the most severe, fatal, genetic disorder diagnosed in early childhood. Kavir was particularly close to his youngest brother Davood who died in very distressing circumstances. Davood’s death left Kavir severely traumatised by survivor’s guilt which unrecognised had huge implications on the course of his life.
Kavir subsequently moved to the UK, where he had the opportunity to meet with Matin, a young Iranian child with DMD who shared his brother's passion for football. That was the catalyst for what would become an 8-year documentary project. As Kavir got to know Matin and his family, he became aware of the health and social care resources available to children with DMD in the UK, compared to Iran. He soon realised the huge significance and implications of this disparity for Iranian children with DMD.   
Mr Sohrab Kavir, Director of "Game On".                    

Matin was a very successful player in the UK Power Wheelchair Football League and was additionally a skilled online football player. Matin particularly impressed Kavir with his incredible drive and ambition to overcome his disability and pursue his love of football.
Synopsis
Sohrab Kavir’s film, “Game On” begins as an idea to arrange an international online football tournament between Iranian and English Duchenne children but soon develops into a cathartic journey that enables Kavir to focus his grief and his passion for film-making on bringing the plight of the Iranian Duchenne children to the attention to a worldwide audience. 
Kavir returns to Iran to find players for the Iranian Duchenne online football team and his travels take him across the country where he meets Duchenne families from all socioeconomic backgrounds. He listens to their stories and comes face-to-face with the harsh day-to-day reality of a life without the medical treatment, social and financial support that so many of us take for granted.
"Game On" emphasises not only the tragedy, inequality and injustice of such short lives but ultimately the resilience, optimism and determination of the children, the love of the families for each other and the amazing resourcefulness of Iranian people in the face of incredible hardship. It highlights a system that does not recognise the rights of a child with a disability to have equal access to education and healthcare, and most importantly to have the opportunity to fulfil their dreams and ambitions in the precious time they have. Most importantly Kavir’s film is a testament to how granting even small wishes can mean the entire world to a child and how the memories of the people we love can become a powerful force for driving forward change.
Kavir continues to campaign along with his sister Mitra to improve the lives of Iranian DMD children in the memory of their three brothers.

How Donations will Support Children with DMD
  • Mobility assistance – including exercise, physiotherapy, physical aids and accessibility arrangements for schools and communal areas.
  • Support groups – to deal with the practical and emotional impact of DMD for children and families
  • Surgery – to correct postural deformities, such as scoliosis 
  • Medication – such as steroids to improve muscle strength, or ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers to treat heart problems
  • Training - educational campaigns for the public, guardians, families, healthcare professionals, teachers, social workers and dieticians to optimise the care give to children
  • Diagnosis - examinations, blood tests, electrical tests on nerves and muscles or muscle biopsies. 
  • Treatment - provision of community clinics for specialist paediatric neurological physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and occupational therapy. Access to urgent medical aid and supplies.
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