The 16th chapter of International Film festival of Kerala is flying to a new horizon by adding sports to its flavour of films. And with all the English Premier League action topping the sports pages, will anything other than football suit to the extra chill?
The section for football films named as ‘Kicking and Screening’ will feature seven movies from around the globe, that will breakout the football fever in the audience. The seven selected films are:
Game of Their Lives (USA)
Garuda Di Dadaku (Indonesia)
Offside (Spain)
Soka Africa (South Africa)
The Two Escobars (USA)
Two Half Times in Hell (Hungary)
Will (UK)
These films canvas the fury, action and beauty of the game throughout, thus providing the audience an experience of watching a real time play. The movie Game of Their Lives directed by David Anspaugh is a 2005 film. The story is based upon a true chapter and tells the story of 1950 US team that beat England 1-0 in Brazil. The story also tells the lives of the players of the US team and the inspiring tale of how the energy and dedication of the players turned their team to be a winner from mere underdogs. The main casts in this movie are done by Gerard Butler, Wes Bentley and Gavin Rossdale.
The 2009 Indonesian movie Garuda Di Dadaku by IfaIsfansyah is the story of Bayu, a young child with the passion of becoming a national team player. While his adamant grandfather and poverty stops him from becoming one. But finally, as talent never hides, with the help of his two friends Heri and Zahra and his mother, Bayu becomes the shining star of the Indonesian National Football team. Emir Mahira, Marsha Aruan and Aldo Tansanikick do the lead roles in the film.
David Marcques movie Offside or En Fuera De Juego is a present year Argentine-Spanish co-production. Starring Fernando Tejero, Hugo Silva and Diego Peretti is comedy film. The film discusses the lives of a Spanish player’s menial. An Argentine Doctor and two guys get in with a young crack as they sign a forever life changing contract with a big club. The whole plot is described in a very hilarious way.
Suridhhassan’s South African feature length documentary film Soka Africa , tells the story of aspiring young footballers from various parts of SA and the game influences them for better and worse. It’s also a celebration of African football. Kayyan Novak does the principal role. The Colombian 2010 movie, ‘The Two Escobars’ is a joint-directorial venture of Jeff Zimbalist and Michael Zimbalist. The storyline is about Pablo Escobar and Andres Escobar; the two are not relatives. Pablo is Colombia’s biggest drugs dealer while Andres is the nation’s biggest Soccer star. Pablo’s money turns Andres’s national team to be in South American League and also to the qualifiers for the1994 WC. But in the deciding game Andres sets a self-goal showing the team doors of exit from the WC qualifiers. The movie also shows how Colombian’s are passionate and crazy towards the game. Movie has Francisco Maturana, Alexis Garcia and Maris Ester in the main roles.
Kétfélidö a pokolban or Two Half Times in Hell is a Hungarian film which tells the story of a football match between the Prisoners-of-War and the Germans which was organised by the German for marking Hitler’s B’day. The POWs find it to be their chance to escape from being executed and plays their best game, but to no avail. The film captures the harsh life of POWs in German camps. The movie directed by Zoltan Fabi, stars Imre Sinkovits, Dezso Garas and Jozsef Szendro.
The seventh movie Will is an English one directed by Ellen Perry telling the story of an Orphan Soccer Crazy boy who travels across European countries to get a seat to watch the Champions League 2005 final. The story moves with all what the boy faces in his well determined route. Damian Lewis, Bob Hoskins star in this simple movie.
These movies, that portray the life of footballers and the game’s crazy go fans, will add a splendid look to the festival. The choice of ‘Kicking & Screening’ was based on the idea of contemporising the festival. The Football movie section was inspired by the special screening of Soccer movies, in a Soccer stadium, in the on-going International Film Festival of India. But as we lack a well-built Football Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, it will be screened in festival venues only. All the lovers of the game are crazy glaring at the Fest to kick off, and then to get an opportunity to watch the best movies based on their favourite outdoor game.
