The present of sports: money, sponsoring, fame, corruption, scandals, doping, ..... sometimes it seems we have forgotten what "the game" is all about and what it should mean to those playing it. (not just soccer, a game in general). People are so obsessed with stardom, statistics, money and the fame that comes with it that they totally forget why they started playing it in the first place.
Frankly I rediscovered the game when I saw this film! What did I see? Certainly no money, no stars, no fame and no overpriced fan merchandising......but 100% sportsmanship!!!! These people come from the streets, they know nothing about the world, nothing about the joys of life and nothing about a stable life! All of this changes during one tournament. And you as a viewer can witness it! It is very hard to describe the emotion that goes through one's heart when you see people who have nothing growing together and become a team. The players that this film accompanies are very diverse, they all have different goals or develop their goals during their journey to South Africa. But most of all you can see how their horizons expand while they play and meet new people.
This is sports at its core, this is what the game was invented for: to bring people together, to forge a team and succeed in becoming a contributing member in something bigger! While watching it I felt very touched - but not because of sadness but rather because of the true joy that these people express when they master their obstacles.
The film itself doesn't really stand out in any production values (like editing, expensive shots, music, post production, etc) - but what for? The content of the pictures is way beyond anything that high budget productions usually capture. Films like this one are released every few years, a rare gem!!!! If you want to be reminded of what it means to just "play" (and while you do even become a better person) - go and watch this film! I was more than just moved - I was overwhelmed!
