MireilleFootball is a game loved by many. And while some just enjoy sports betting during the most remarkable matches, others start playing themselves. Do you also want to try playing football? Then these movies must become your inspiration.
Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos (2006)
The story of the meteoric rise and rapid fall of the New York Cosmos, one of the most prominent American sports franchises of the 1970s. At the time, the team was filled with superstars like Franz Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto, Giorgio Chinaglia, and, most notably, the king of football, Pelé. The New York Cosmos was more akin to a rock band, complete with the luxurious lifestyle that came with it — fans, limousines, mafia connections, and even Mick Jagger and Muhammad Ali, who would visit the team’s locker room after matches. The film is built around archival footage and interviews with former players and those involved with the club.
Pelé: Birth of a Legend (2016)
This film tells the story of Pelé’s childhood and youth, including his debut at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, where Brazil’s national team won their first-ever World Championship. It’s a beautiful story of a difficult childhood with a triumphant ending, featuring autobiographical off-screen reflections from Pelé himself.
Zidane, un Portrait du 21e Siècle (2006)
This film is based on a documentary recording of one of Zinedine Zidane’s last matches for Real Madrid. Scottish artist Douglas Gordon (a member of the Young British Artists movement) turns this footage into a piece of video art rather than a traditional documentary. Throughout the game, 17 cameras are focused solely on Zidane, capturing him whether he’s on the ball, taking a water break, or tying his shoelaces. Quotes from interviews with the footballer appear as captions, and the soundtrack was specially recorded by the Scottish post-rock band Mogwai.
Les Arbitres (2009)
Filmed during Euro 2008, this movie explores the intricacies of a football referee’s work before, during, and after matches. It shows how they communicate with players, how the relationships within the referee team (head referee and two linesmen) are built, how they talk to each other during the game, and how they interact with UEFA officials. We also see the emotional support their families provide. After watching Les Arbitres, you’ll feel so much empathy for referees that, even in the heat of the moment, you’ll think twice before yelling insults at them from the stands.
The Two Escobars (2010)
Colombia, early 1990s. Pablo Escobar is one of the richest and most powerful drug lords in the world. Andrés Escobar is one of the brightest stars in Colombian football. A year before the 1994 World Cup, one becomes the captain of the national team while the other incites a civil war in the country. The film tells the story of the close connection between football, politics, and crime in Colombia, and the tragic end of both men who share the same surname.
Maradona by Kusturica (2008)
A documentary where director Emir Kusturica expresses his admiration for Diego Maradona, one of the greatest footballers in history. Unfortunately, the key word here is “Kusturica” — the director appears and is heard more than Maradona himself. Kusturica’s attitude toward his hero is worshipful, idealizing Maradona without focusing on the darker aspects of his career. However, the film touches on nearly all the controversial moments of the footballer’s life, including his friendship with Fidel Castro, connections with the mafia, and struggles with drugs.
The Damned United (2009)
The Damned United is the story of the 44 days Brian Clough spent at the helm of Leeds United, a legendary English football team of the 1970s. At the heart of the story is the failure of its main character, who would later become one of the most successful managers in English football history. A year after this film, director Tom Hooper would create The King’s Speech and win an Oscar for it.
Looking for Eric (2009)
A film by a classic British director about a 43-year-old postman from Manchester who, struggling with life, begins to see visions of former Manchester United star Eric Cantona. Cantona shares his wisdom and rich life experiences with him. Cantona not only stars in the film but also produced it. This was Ken Loach’s first work in years to feature a celebrity.
Kaiser: The Greatest Footballer Never to Play Football, 2018
Carlos Kaiser was a Brazilian footballer who never set foot on the pitch. Thanks to his talent for persuading agents and coaches, along with his friendships with famous players and journalists, he remained listed in South American clubs of varying stature, and even in France, for 13 years without ever playing a minute. His fraudulent scheme involved faking injuries, which at the time (in the late ’70s and ’80s) were not easy to diagnose. The only time Kaiser came close to playing, he received a red card for fighting with a fan during the warm-up.
Ultrà, 1991
This film is about Italian tifosi, a supporter group of AS Roma in the early ’90s. Unlike the British hooligan films, “Ultrà” is a sentimental movie where, besides the brawls, there is even room for an awkward love triangle. The main merit of the film is its attention to the purely football-related nuances (for example, the main characters are left-wingers, while most Italian fans of that time were right-wing). Director Ricky Tognazzi won the Best Director award for it at the 1991 Berlin International Film Festival.
I.D., 1995
A story about undercover police officers infiltrating a hooligan firm and falling victim to Stockholm syndrome. Set in London in the ’80s, behind the fictional “Shadwell” team, one can easily recognize Millwall — a club infamous for its brutal hooligans at the time (their anthem was the song “No One Likes Us, We Don’t Care”). “I.D.” is considered a classic of British hooligan cinema and is particularly appreciated by the older generation.
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