In the 1986 World Cup, Diego Maradona, the world's greatest football player, reached his apotheosis, redefining what is possible for one man to accomplish on a football pitch. His ability to take control of the ball -- the game -- an entire tournament -- split the world in two. It was both illuminating and an affront, beguiling and an outrage, and the fervor that surrounded him was unprecedented, bordering on the religious. Constructed from archive material, "Maradona '86" is an ode to this ultimate footballing idol, basking in the operatic intensity of his performance in Mexico as he wrote his name on football history forever.
A behind-the-scenes look at Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning soccer team, with unseen footage and interviews with the players.
A documentary that tries to explain the reason for the passion of the Mexican football fandom.
FIFA World Player in 1998, 2000, and 2003, Zidane has been labeled the greatest player to come out of France. Known for his brilliant ball control, incredible vision, precise passing and ability to read the game, Zidane has also dedicate much of his time to helping those less fortunate than himself.
A look at the footballer at the end of the nineties
A revealing documentary following the legendary midfielder, Andrés Iniesta, as he faces a crucial decision after a career-threatening injury. “Very few people know what happened when I got injured. Few know that I had to make a momentous decision. Was it worth it to keep playing or was it time to call it quits?” The revealing documentary follows the legendary midfielder, Andrés Iniesta, as he faces a crucial decision after a career-threatening injury.
New Jersey, June 18, 1994. Giants Stadium is awash with green as Irish soccer fans arrive to watch Ireland's opening World Cup match against the mighty Italy. The sense of optimism is infectious. The Celtic Tiger is in its infancy. Bill Clinton's decision a few months earlier to grant a visa to Irish Republican leader Gerry Adams has added momentum to an embryonic peace process. Jack Charlton's team walks onto the pitch before 75,000 fervent spectators who've traveled from across the globe for this game.
Didier face à Deschamps
Football is much more than a simple game. It is a passion that connects people from all over the world. The players themselves have the unique ability to capture the hearts of fans and create a deep emotional connection with them. One of these outstanding players, who impresses not only with his footballing brilliance, but also with his impressive personality and life story, is Jakub Blaszczykowski. In this documentary about Jakub, also affectionately known as "Kuba", Jan Dybus tells the inspiring story of a man who consciously decided to pursue a career in football.
Jack to a King is a passionate portrait of the rise of Swansea City Football Club from near oblivion to the world stage of the Premier League. It is the story of a city and the people who made the club what it is today. An independent feature from film makers, Mal Pope and Edward Thomas, YJB Films’, Jack to a King is about more than just a football club, it is about a city that survives against all odds – through the Blitz, industrial decline and recession. It tells a universal story of how football plays into the lives of ordinary people. It touches on the Welsh attitude to defeat and victory and the relationship between sport and money. The story is told through the characters involved, capturing the rhythm of their lives and presenting a portrait of where they live. Through it all, there is one dream, one ambition which unites everyone – The Premier League.
A documentary of the German national soccer team’s 2006 World Cup experience that changed the face of modern Germany.
This documentary follows the French soccer team on their way to victory in the 1998 World Cup in France. Stéphane Meunier spent the whole time filming the players, the coach and some other important characters of this victory, giving us a very intimate and nice view of them, as if we were with them.
A documentary tale about sport and politics under martial law. All of Poland saw the great goals of Boniek and Smolarek during the Espana '82 championships. For a moment, it was forgotten that the background of the sporting performance was martial law, censorship, an army on the streets, prisons filled with oppositionists. The performance of the players was so successful that it was called "the most beautiful series of martial law". The game is watched by interned activists of "Solidarity", sports journalists and censors, cutting out all manifestations of the opposition from television broadcasts. We also get to know the performance in Spain from the perspective of the players, trying to meet not only their ambitions but also to bear the burden of fans' expectations and regime propaganda.
Come un padre
Hard to imagine, but true: According to current estimates, out of 500,000 active male football professionals worldwide, under ten (10) are openly homosexual. While homosexuality hardly plays a role in other areas of life today, the topic seems to be completely taboo in professional football. The feature-length documentary THE LAST TABOO lets those who broke exactly this taboo tell their very personal stories alongside Thomas Hitzlsperger. Like the British professional footballer Justin Fashanu (*1961 in London; † 1998 in London), who broke this taboo for the first time in 1990 and paid for it with his life. His niece Amal tells his story. Marcus Urban, on the other hand, was about to make the jump to the Bundesliga as a teenager and, by deciding to come out, he also went against his big dream. The stories of the US professional Collin Martin and the British player-coach Matt Morton, on the other hand, suggest that normality is not far away.
Nel nostro cielo un rombo di tuono
"Players and coaches may change, but supporters will remain loyal to their beloved team until the end of their life." Lintang Sae Martasari is a football supporter of her pride football team, PSIM Yogyakarta. Lintang is a member of Brajamolek (women supporters of PSIM Yogyakarta) and serves as vice chairman. She never fails to watch and support her team. Even though she often gets mocked by people who see the football supporters as gangs of vandals, rioters, and brawlers. On top of that, she also struggles against the stigma associated with female supporters.
A small district in the north of Yogyakarta City famously called "Italy" is home to a football team called PSS SLEMAN, which is supported by its fans. Brigata Curva Sud, also known as bcsxpss.1976, is a group of PSS SLEMAN supporters who embrace the "ultras" path. A group of supporters whose motto is "Give us 90 minutes, and we'll give you a lifetime." The motto is more than just a phrase; their support doesn't end after 90 minutes. Brigata Curva Sud is well-known in Indonesian football because of their creativity in supporting their team. It has eight influential manifestos that help them stay in line and loyally support PSS SLEMAN.
For some people, loving the local football club is a calling. Anything can be a calling to everyone. People say that the calling is: PSS! Sleman Regency's beloved club is adored not only by Sleman locals but also by anyone who is enchanted by its calling. Those called by PSS took Brigata Curva Sud (BCS) as their identity. Whenever PSS matches are held, home or away, it is a big day to be celebrated. Fanaticism involves love, and love trumps logic. At that time, the industry, which did not value integrity and loyalty, took advantage of people's affection for PSS. PSS is not a business; PSS is love and dedication!
People in Malang call them "Aremania." Arema FC is deeply rooted in them and has spread to the rest of Indonesia. Aremania is not simply the Arema supporters' group but also a "Second Religion." Arema is a lifestyle that has been an inspiration to Malang citizens.