Next Goal Wins (2014)
Director(s) : Mike Brett, Steve Jamison
Cast : Thomas Rongen, Jaiyah Saelua, Nicky Salapu
Plot: Documentary on the ‘worst national football team in the world.’ After American Samoa’s widely publicised heavy defeat defeat against Australia, and a 17 year streak without even a goal, The team enlist the help of dutch coach Thomas Rongen in the wake of world cup qualifying.
★★★★
Heartwarming tale of endurance, acceptance and hope. The directors managed to capture the culture and ideals of American Samoa through some beautiful shots of the Island, as well as raw interviews with the locals. The players individual stories make the film seem rather personal, and the story of Jaiyah Salelua, the first Transgender player in the world cup, was a really interesting and beautiful insight into how different cultures are more accepting than our own. The tension created by the football matches makes the film very compelling and one particular moment of triumph was so uplifting that it was hard not to smile constantly. Fantastic.
