The Beautiful Game is a term that was popularised by Brazilian superstar Pele, but is long associated with football.
To millions, it encapsulates all that makes the game great, powerful and global. All that makes it beautiful.
A new Netflix film, titled, of all things, ‘The Beautiful Game’, will soon hit screens, showcasing an unheralded story of an English team at a World Cup, one which promises to be one of the feel-good stories of the year.
No, it’s not a story about the FIFA World Cup, global sport’s largest event but rather its smaller, unsung cousin, the Homeless World Cup, and one English national team’s dream of winning it all.
There’s a bit to unpack about the film. Here’s everything you need to know before The Beautiful Game’s release.
Everything we know about The Beautiful Game
When will it be released?
March 29, 2024
The film makes its way onto the streaming service towards the end of March, just in time for the pointy end of the European footballing season.
Is there a trailer?
Yes, it’s both humorous and heartwarming.
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What is The Beautiful Game about?
Loosely based on the Homeless World Cup, The Beautiful Game follows Mal, played by British actor Bill Nighy (who viewers may know from hits such as Love Actually), the manager of the English homeless football team, as he prepares to take his side to the Homeless World Cup.
Set in Rome, the Homeless World Cup brings homeless footballers together for a chance to fight for ultimate glory. It is described as an event that ‘brings [everyone] together’ and gives players a ‘second chance to be part of a team.’
Mal looks to bolster his side with striker, Vinny, played by Top Boy’s Michael Ward, a prodigious child footballer who goes on to play for West Ham before hard luck strikes him down. Living in his car at the time of his approach, Vinny initially denies the request before going on to feature for the side in Rome.
As much as it’s a football story, the film’s central theme is a story ‘representing the potential that sport has to build a better world.’ It’s a film as much about football as it is about teamwork, overcoming adversity and community.
While the film isn’t based on one particular Homeless World Cup tournament, the film is based loosely on the tournament as a whole, even starring several former participants in the tournament.
Is there really a Homeless World Cup?
Yes, there is. Conceived in 2001 as a way to advocate to end global homelessness, the Homeless World Cup has been around since 2003, with cities such as Melbourne, Paris, Rio De Janeiro and Amsterdam playing host.
Since its inception, the tournament has seen more than 1.2 million players representing more than 70 participating nations. Such is the impact of the Homeless World Cup, the tournament’s official website explained that 94% of participants stated the tournament had a positive impact on their lives while 83% said they improved social relationships with friends and family.
Who’s the team behind the film?
Colin Farrell, a Homeless World Cup ambassador, produced the film alongside Blueprint Pictures’ Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin and Ben Knight, along with Anita Overland.
Interestingly, Farrell narrated ‘Kicking It’ a documentary about the 2006 Homeless World Cup that featured at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. The Irish actor has also stated the tournament is ‘not just about the game, there’s an infrastructure to help the players.
Frank Cottrell Boyce wrote The Beautiful Game’s script, while Thea Sharrock directed the film. Some viewers may know Sharrock as the director of the 2016 hit romance film, Me Before You.
