A new movie set in the mid-1980s is inspired by the music of Bruce Springsteen.
The film explores Springsteen's artistry and influence by chronicling the high school years of a Pakistani immigrant in England named Javed.
An aspiring writer, Javed grapples with racism, the expectations of his family and a lack of inspiration until hearing The Boss's music for the first time.
Blinded By The Light is based on a memoir by British journalist Sarfraz Manzoor called Greetings From Bury Park. Manzoor also wrote the screenplay with director Gurinder Chadha.
Much like Javed in the film, Manzoor credits Springsteen's poetry with helping him through the most difficult times of his life and giving him purpose.
"The fact that I was so affected by Springsteen's songs show just how powerfully music can transcend race, religion, nationality and class," Manzoor explained.
Chadha says she gave Springsteen himself her elevator pitch for the film during a brief run-in with the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer at a red carpet event a few years ago. She said Springsteen was on board right away, so and Manzoor spent the next several years writing a script that would impress Springsteen and his managers.
She notes that "there would be no film without his music and blessings."
Blinded By The Light was critically lauded at its Sundance Film Festival premiere this past winter. It's due in theaters August 14.
Check out the trailer above!
Blinded By The Light is the latest in a string of multi-media triumphs for Springsteen. Last year, Springsteen won over Broadway with his Tony Award-winning show, Springsteen On Broadway.
This past winter, he inspired a best-selling book by Brian Hiatt called Bruce Springsteen: The Stories Behind The Songs.
This summer, Springsteen will release his latest solo album, Western Stars.
Photo: Getty Images