In the wake of a huge victory over Spain at the FIFA Confederations Cup (which eventually went to Brazil) over in South Africa, the US men's soccer team is experiencing a new wave of popularity. And it'll be that wave that Kicking & Screening, a soccer-themed film festival, opens to when it kicks off on July 14 in New York City.
1. What was the inspiration behind this soccer-themed event?
I have been passionate about soccer since I first played when I was 9 years old (the only girl in the town league at the time). I suppose soccer was one of the first things I fell in love with-before there were boys, writing, film, music-for me, there was soccer.
As a writer, a filmmaker (attended film school in '02) and someone who has studied International Policy (M.A., Stanford University, soccer has always appealed to my curiosities about what unifies us. Living abroad (Costa Rica, Mexico, London), I saw first hand and was fascinated by the global depth and shared love for the "beautiful game."
During the past few years, I came across many excellent (and some not so excellent) soccer films and books, exploring soccer's international, sometimes politically charged, and transformative nature, and I could never get enough. While living in London I was immersed in soccer culture and it was there I conceived of the idea (January 2008) for a football (soccer) film festival. It just seemed an organic extension of all celebration of this special game.
2. Why did you choose to do a film festival and not another type of event?
For me, film is an intergal way in which many of us (especially in the U.S.) view soccer- televised matches, films, game highlights. Importantly, the idea was never just to show a few films, but really celebrate how both film and soccer connect with so many in a heartfelt way.
Like most major film festivals, this type of event easily lends itself to include panels, player, film participants, writers, and promotes dialogue delving further into the films' themes and related topics. To me, a film festival draws attendees to multiple screenings, and I wanted soccer and film fans to have fun and get caught up in a week of soccer-themed showings and events. We chose soccer-friendly venues for many of the screenings because we want to capture the grassroots element of our festival and for people to come, meet, drink, watch and experience a party-like atmosphere.
I also hope cinephiles will come and see how effectively and beautifully film can capture the joys and passions of soccer and how viewing this together, on the screen, we relive these moments and feelings. Both soccer and film last about 90 minutes, we often know -- or think we know -- how the story ends, but we are drawn to watch for those glimpses of brilliance, of beauty, be it on the pitch or the screen, which touch our souls and make us happy to be alive!
3. How long have you been planning and organizing this event?
The idea started early last year while I was living in London. After several months of planning and organizing Kicking & Screening, the venue (at a Premier League team stadium hospitality suite) canceled. I moved back to NYC in October 2008 and knew someday I would try again, but had no set time line.
Greg Lalas and I met in early April this year and that's when the idea for Kicking & Screening Soccer Film Festival in NYC was born. He and Alexi Lalas, his brother, offered to help me get it going again and we started a new vision of how we wanted the festival to be here in NYC. I drew on many of the contacts I had made while trying to organize Kicking & Screening in London last year, but had to start anew with venues, some films, content, etc.
It's been about two and a half months of non-stop planning and organizing. Albert Camus said all he ever learned about morality and obligation in life he learned from football (soccer); I have learned much about persistence, perseverence, and having faith from organizing a football film festival.
4. Why do you think soccer has had such a hard time catching on in the US? And why should Americans get into it?
While soccer is very popular as a youth sport and even through college for many of us in the U.S., I don't think it's ever been institutionalized into the broader culture as in so many places around the world.
Many of my friends in Europe grew up going to their local league's games and stay loyal to their home teams wherever they may end of living. To root against your home club is treason. I've spoken to very disappointed parents in London who were devastated when their five-year old rooted for the local team and not the one the father had allegiance to.
I'm not sure if Americans have this same type of feverish loyalty. Additionally, the opportunities to watch the highest caliber players are not as prevalent here in the U.S. as in other countries. I think it becomes part of the canon of growing up in Europe, South America, even Africa -- playing, going to games on the weekends with your family, watching games every week on TV and at pubs.
I do think there are a large number of avid soccer fans in the U.S. and with the U.S. team recent advancement to the finals of the Confederations Cup, perhaps even more fans will recognize how wonderful the game can be. With the World Cup a year away, it's a great time for people to watch the qualifiers and get caught up in the magic and mania that soccer incites so many places around the world.
Americans should get into it because it is such a great team sport and so open to players of all ages, gender, physical strength who can enjoy participating in the game -- you don't have to be super tall, or super strong, but dedicated and focused. Soccer really is a universal symbol of play, spirit, and joy and it would be great for more Americans to share in this wonderful allegiance and community.
5. Aside from New York City, where else would you like to hold this festival? Where do you think this festival will really make an impact?
Kicking & Screening will be an annual event in NYC, expanding in scope and size. We're planning on holding the festival at MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts) in Spring 2010 and are also thinking of a festival in Washington, D.C. in October 2009.
We hope to hold the festival in South Africa in March 2010. This may have a large impact as South Africa gears up to host the World Cup June-July 2010. We are also looking into hosting the festival in Rio de Janeiro someday. I'd like to try the festival in London at some point. I think many of these venues are places where the festival can have an impact in terms of bringing together soccer and film fans and by celebrating and examining the global, powerful, passionate pull of soccer -- perhaps converting some new fans.
6. What is your favorite soccer-themed film and why?
I may have to say Victory as this was the first soccer film I recall seeing and one I have watched countless times. I used to set my alarm to wake up in the middle of the night to catch it on the TV! The film has Pele, Michael Caine and Sly Stallone among others, and I was captivated by watching Pele in the film.
The back story of the plot which has WWII POWs playing soccer against the guards, and facing a choice between victory or possible escape, dramatizes how the game takes on such meaning and symbolism to the fans in occupied France. As melodramatic as the film may be -- it always moves me.
Perhaps a more recent film I really enjoyed was Offside, about Iranian women who dress up as men to sneak into the stadium (from which they are barred) to watch soccer. And the I'd say the best soccer film I have seen is Les Yeux dans the Bleus which opens the festival and really takes the viewer on the incredible journey of the French national team during the World Cup in 1998, from their very first training session to their fantastic win over Brazil in the final.
For more on the festival and a full schedule, visit when.com.
