Inspired by true events from the spring of 1944 when the Nazis organized a football match between a team of camp inmates and an elite Nazi team on Adolf Hitler's birthday. A match the prisoners are determined to win, no matter what happens.
Without a Fight is a feature length documentary film that explores how soccer can facilitate social change in Kibera, one of Africa's largest slums. Footage of violent clashes fueled by polarizing national presidential elections is intertwined with profiles of youth from different religious and ethnic backgrounds as they navigate daily life and prepare for the final championship soccer game of the season. The film provides a glimpse-often a very positive one-into an Africa few have seen. It attempts to break stereotypes associated with people who live in extreme poverty while depicting sports as a tool that could be used to prevent violence among at-risk youth. The film made its World Premiere at the 11 MM Festival in Berlin, Germany in March 2012 and its North American Premiere at the Full Frame Documentary Festival in Durham, NC in April 2012. - Written by Beth-Ann Kutchma
He is considered one of the most important athletes in football history. Franz Beckenbauer was the shining light of German football, won everything there was to win in club football as a player and coach, became world champion as a player and coach and, as the father of the "Summer Fairy Tale", brought the 2006 World Cup to Germany. He was also a pioneering advertising icon and an occasional singer and actor. The man whom everyone in his home country simply calls “Kaiser” shaped the image of the Federal Republic of Germany like no one else. The legendary footballer seems like a national treasure today, but little is known about the person behind the ball artist. Public knowledge of his private life is shaped by his long-term relationships with four women. The documentary, completed shortly before his death, uses archive material and prominent contemporary witnesses from sports, politics and entertainment to weave both facets into a look at a life's work with light and shadow.
"The Last Season" follows the stadium's last year, the fans' communal last look, the witnessing of the wrecking ball and the great fall of the Memorial Wall.
A woman hires a Norwegian soccer player to be a male au pair and help her raise her two sons. It deals with personal loss and how a soccer ball can change sadness into laughter.
This documentary testifies the birth of CUCS – Commando Ultrà Curva Sud -, union of the main firms of As Roma hooligans in the 70-80s. It also deals with the complicated and violent past of the ultras groups, with the historic rivalries with other teams and with the lives of its members.
The true story of the greatest turnaround in college football history.
In a depressed Texas town, British foreign exchange teacher Anna attempts to inject some life into her hopeless kids by introducing them to soccer. They're terrible at first, but Anna and her football-hero assistant whip them into shape. As they work overtime, the pair help kids build their self-esteem and also get involved in solving family squabbles.
Champions of Europe is a celebration of 50 years of outstanding football competition as told by the clubs and players who made the contest so unforgettable. Featuring all the most memorable players, goals and performances from every European Cup final ever played, it also contains extended highlights and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from the thrilling Liverpool v AC Milan final in Istanbul 2005. As the only official UEFA history of the competition, the DVD also offers unparallelled access to the big-name players with Cruyff, Beckenbauer, Zidane, Beckham, Eusebio, Charlton, Maldini, Gerrard and many more sharing their memories of the games and performances that made them legends.
Pete is a football enthusiast, who plays as a goalkeeper for FC HeMan, a team playing in the lowest possible league. His girlfriend, Anna, hates the whole sport. Pete and his teammates are planning to travel to watch the Football World Cup held in Germany. Anna is not excited about Pete's plan to leave her alone for the summer. Therefore Anna decides to present a challenge to Pete: She will form a team from the wives and girlfriends of the FC HeMan players, and then the women's team (FC Venus) would play against FC HeMan. If the women's team wins, the men will have to give up football, and if the men's team wins, the women will never complain about their hobby.
The Samrye Girl’s Middle School soccer club always loses. There’s no sufficient support for the club and to make matters worse, the main striker transfers to another school. Would it be feasible to make a miracle happen at the National Convention?
Follow the number 1 ranked youth soccer team in America as they play professional youth soccer teams in the UK before returning for their final tournament together for the National State Cup Champions.
Set in Belfast against the backdrop of the 1986 World Cup, Shooting for Socrates tells the story of a momentous time in Northern Ireland's football history through the eyes of players, fans and the media. The film also follows the lives of passionate football supporter Arthur and his son Tommy from East Belfast. The lead up to a momentous day in the life of a young boy (his 10th birthday) mirrors the build up to the big day for the Northern Ireland football team as they play the greatest match of their lives.
Disheartened by futile combat, appalled by the corruption of their South Vietnamese ally, and constantly endangered by the incompetence of their own company commander, the young men find a possible way out of the war. They are told that if they purposely lose a soccer game against a South Vietnamese team, they can spend the rest of their tour playing exhibition games behind the lines.
Based on the career of Roberto Dinamite, Vasco da Gama's biggest idol, we explore the magic of the goal and the connection with the stands in the figure of a player who personified the spirit of the club and its fans on the field
Erik Brenner is crazy about football and his girlfriend Britta. She tries to make him concentrate on his studies, but that's easier said than done.
Buffa e Zico: Delitto imperfetto
A sports documentary short covering the soccer match for the UEFA cup of 1978, with the French Corsican team Bastia playing against the PSV Eindhoven club from the Netherlands.
For some time now, the residents of the placid little village of Sonnenthal talk only about one topic: Football! The ambitious mayor wants to promote the Sonnenthal team to the district league at any price because this success would also boost his own popularity. But he did not expect the resistance of the new head of school, Barbara, who is heavily annoyed by the one-sided focus. To bring Sonnenthal′s men and the mayor in particular to their senses, Barbara sets up a women′s football team that soon turns out to be a serious competition for the men′s team.
Including incredible childhood footage, this wide-reaching documentary gains a detailed understanding of the real Lionel Messi. This is Messi as you’ve never seen him before.