Next Goal Wins
| Next Goal Wins | |
|---|---|
 British poster for Next Goal Wins | |
| Directed by |
Mike Brett Steve Jamison |
| Produced by | Kristian Brodie |
| Starring |
Thomas Rongen Jaiyah Saelua Nicky Salapu |
| Music by | Roger Goula |
| Cinematography | Mike Brett and Steve Jamison |
| Edited by | Julian Quantrill[1] |
Production company |
Archer's Mark Agile Films K5 International |
| Distributed by | Icon Productions[2] |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 97 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language |
English Samoan |
Next Goal Wins is a 2014 British documentary film directed by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison. The film chronicles the national football team of American Samoa as they try to recover from the indignity of being known as one of the weakest football teams in the world, and to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Synopsis
In 2001, American Samoa lost 31–0 to Australia, the worst loss in international football history, and have been dogged by defeat ever since. They want to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but continue to lose on the pitch. To help turn their luck around, the Football Federation American Samoa hire Dutch-born, America-based coach Thomas Rongen.[3]
Over the next three weeks, Rongen trains the team, and introduces some players based overseas, until they can acquit themselves with pride at the qualifiers at the OFC World Cup Qualification.
Jaiyah Saelua, a member of the squad since 2003 is the first fa'afafine player to compete in a men's FIFA World Cup qualifier.[4][5]
Production
The American Samoa football team had refused permission to numerous film and TV crews before being approached by Brett and Jamison, the directors were given permission to film the team because they aimed to celebrate the fact that the team continued to play in the face of their defeats. The film was shot on 5k resolution using a RED Epic camera over two visits to the island of six and eight weeks respectively.[6]
Release
The film had its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on 19 April 2014.[7] It was released in the United Kingdom on 9 May.[3]
References
- ↑ Next Goal Wins - British Films Directory film.britishcouncil.org
- ↑ McNary, Dave (6 February 2014) "Berlin: Soccer Documentary ‘Next Goal Wins’ Gets U.S. Distribution" Variety.com
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Kev Geoghegan (6 May 2014). "Next Goal Wins for 'world's worst football team'". BBC News. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
- ↑ "Next Goal WIns". NBC Sports Radio. 2014-02-20. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
- ↑ "Hollywood treatment for American Samoa". FIFA World. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
- ↑ Mitchell, Wendy (3 February 2014) "Making Next Goal Wins" Screen International
- ↑ "Next Goal Wins". Tribeca Film Institute. Retrieved 6 May 2014.