Review by Vinoo
Language : English
Director : Susan Koch / Jeff Werner
‘Kicking it’ is a documentary on the World Cup for the homeless. 48 countries participate in a World Cup for the homeless in 2006 during which most of the football footage for this film was shot. Started in 2003, by Mel Young and Harald Schmeid, this initiative is simply remarkable. The premise is that a football can change lives. How true! The film follows 7 people from various countries : Jesus (a 62 year old with an alcohol problem, an ex-player for the junior team of Real Madrid, Spain), Slavan (from the streets of St.Petersburg, Russia, Najib, from the Taliban-ruled, war-torn Afghanisthan), Damien and Simon (from the drug rehab centres of Dublin, Ireland), Craig (a homeless from the streets of North Carolina, USA), Alex (a toilet-cleaner, from the slums of Kenya).
All of them are more or less the key players of their respective teams. They all find hope in this World Cup for the homeless. Some of them harbour hopes of making it as a football professional while for some others it is an escape from the pathetic life they lead. A win will make them heroes back home. The film brings to us the spirit of the real game of football. No politics, no drugs, no ill will, no fancy stars, no money at stake. Just a game that can change lives forever, a game that can give hope to the homeless, the drug addicts and alcoholics, the people on the street, etc. Russia goes on to win the cup at the WC, 2006. The film manages to put before us the plight of the individuals and the backgrounds they come from and the stark reality in each one of those countries. Colin Farrell is the narrator. He sure must be a football-lover. This film is a real tribute to the game of football. I loved watching this one more than the World Cup, 2010.
This film is a must-have in anyone’s, more so in any footballer’s, collection. Here is the trailer for those interested.
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There should be a whole team out there on the streets of India, a team much better than our national team. It is time we had our own version of the World Cup for the homeless. A ball can change the world. I sure agree. Football is nothing short of therapy. There is nothing it can’t cure. Talking from personal experience.
Just in case you are interested to know more about this initiative click here
Thanks to a good old friend for lending me this one.
Also watched ‘Stand by me’ and ‘Fever Pitch’ thanks to a good old Gunner fan. Nowhere near as good as the book by Nick Hornby, but the film is worth a watch just for the celebration that follows Arsenal’s 2 nil win against Liverpool, when having to win 2 nil to win the Championship in 1989, and that too in an away game at Anfield. For a Gunner fan starved of any recent wins, it sure is a moment to cherish. Not recommended for loser ManU fans.
Useless trivia : ‘Kicking it’ premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2008. Starting 2008 there has been a Women’s WC for the homeless. This year’s World Cup for the homeless is to be held in Rio Di Janeiro, Brazil at the Copacabana beach. The next one will be in Paris, at a venue close to the Eiffel Tower.
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