The soccer film Young Beckham — about an American boy with big dreams, low confidence, and a magical talking poster of Becks himself — is the inspiring story we all need right now.
The film stars Brighton Lee Sagal, Ryan Hopper, and Will Parry as the voice of the “David Beckham poster.” It is directed by Jared Sagal and produced by Rockerrazzi Films.
Watch the full film below:
As we all know, 2020 was a full-on howler. Pandemic, social unrest, layoffs, fractured politics, etc.
K+S New York was postponed, then canceled (did we mention that?).
But this week marks the inauguration of a new era. As soccer fans, we are naturally optimistic about what the future will bring. And we have some big ideas for how to make this year really special.
After all, 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of my all-time favorite soccer film: Victory. And we’re going to celebrate like it’s 1981!
Thanks for reading!
— Greg
We are currently in the process of planning and laying out what the year will look like for K+S. At this point, it’s hard to say anything for certain, but here’s what we’re thinking:
2-3 K+S virtual events between February and June
Film submission deadline: June 1
K+S New York 2021 in late July/August/September
Let us know what you think. If vaccinations go the right way and the world begins to open up again, would you be willing to attend an in-person film festival in late summer?
Have a film you’d like to submit? Go to the K+S FilmFreeway page. The submission password is SOCCERFILM.
There are so many great stories behind the scenes of the soccer film and culture world. Stories we want to tell.
So we are going to launch a podcast. We’re calling it The Martini Shot, named for the last shot of the day on a film set. The show will feature filmmakers, actors, writers, artists, and influencers — the people who make the soccer film and culture community so amazing. Maybe some players and coaches will join now and then to give their perspectives of the movie scene.
More info on The Martini Shot to come soon.
While the next festival is a ways off, don’t forget that the K+S Media Group website has lots of great soccer films to watch right now, including:
After the Cup: Sons of Sakhnin United — Amid the centuries-old strife that tears the Middle East asunder, can soccer provide a unique ray of hope? Watch now!
Football for Better or for Worse — FC Rosengård is one of the world's top women’s clubs. But that doesn’t mean everything is easy. Watch now!
Soka Afrika — The good, the bad, and the ugly of soccer immigration from Africa to Europe, as seen through the journeys of two young players. Watch now!
And we are working on a few new films which should come on line soon.
The past year obviously affected much of the film industry. Despite that, soccer-film projects continue to make headlines.
Captains of Zaatari (film still above), directed by Ali El Arabi, was selected for the Sundance Film Festival. The feature film about two boys who use their soccer talent to escape a refugee camp will screen virtually Jan 31 and Feb 2. Get tickets…
The new doc Pelé is coming to Netflix on February 23. Watch the trailer…
A film about the NASL? Yes, please! Big-Time Soccer, made by Rachel Viollet, is in post-production and expected later this year. Watch the trailer…
Hannes Thor Halldorsson, Iceland’s World Cup goalkeeper, is a budding filmmaker. He made the reveal video for the Iceland federation’s new crest, and now he is working on his first feature film. Read more…
Women in Soccer — a new online networking community supporting and empowering women in the soccer industry
American Tifo — Filmmaker Maura Gladys’s newsletter about the people, places, and stories defining soccer culture in North America
We all saw the hilarious short video that Jason Sudeikis did a while back for NBC Sports. In it, we were introduced to Ted Lasso, an American gridiron football coach who takes over as manager of an English soccer club.
The success of that short has led to a full series. Ted Lasso, the series, comes out on Apple TV+ on August 14, and it looks like a lot of fun.
Here’s the official trailer:
Around the world, Icelandic goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson is best known for stopping a Lionel Messi penalty at the 2018 World Cup. At home, he's also known for his filmmaking talents.
Which is why the Icelandic federation turned to Halldorsson to direct the reveal video for the national team's new crest. Not only is the crest very cool, but the short film is so intense and so loaded with Norse iconography and themes -- Bull. Eagle. Dragon. Giant. -- that we dare you to watch it and not feel confident against Messi from the penalty spot. We double dare you to watch the Icelandic version and not want to take on the whole world!
A soccer player that loves to make films is like a god for us. Hail Halldorsson!
Our new national team crest. pic.twitter.com/6Bk17WeO5u
— Knattspyrnusambandið (@footballiceland) July 1, 2020
Drew Beckie's story is familiar to American and Canadian soccer fans. From childhood to the pros, the story is full of constant movement, always chasing the dream from club to club, city to city, country to country, continent to continent.
But sometimes those familiar soccer dreams veer into unfamiliar territory because the body doesn't want to play along. For Beckie, that moment came when he was in Europe and was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with myocarditis caused by a viral infection.
Suddenly Beckie was told to stop playing for six months. No more trials in Finland. No more training on his own. No more anything. Otherwise, there was, as his doctor deadpanned, "an increased risk of dropping dead on the field."
What happened next is the epitome of what makes the soccer community so incredible and what a soccer player with a dream is capable of.
Still Defending is available to watch for free on the film's official website.
