Soccer on the Silver Screen, Brazilian Style

"The idea is to illuminate aspects of Brazilian culture through the history of soccer -- and also to show the fan world, their passionate relationship to the sport, their pain and joy," explained Camilla Ribas, curator of the Berlin film festival that runs through July 3. Ribas and the other coordinators hope that soccer fans will take a break between World Cup games to visit the cinema.

The diversity of film production reveals how kicking a ball around on the grass has continually been a source of inspiration for Brazilian filmmakers. Soccer found a place in front of the camera as early as 1908 in the documentary of a game between the Brazil and Argentina teams. Since then, soccer has been a recurring theme in Brazilian film.

Narrowing down

One film that won't be shown during the festival is "O Campeao do Futebol" (The Soccer Champion), an early film that portrays German-Brazilian soccer pioneer Arthur Friedenreich. "Unfortunately, many historical films have been partially damaged or long forgotten in various archives. Preserving old films in Brazil can be problematic," said Ribas.

In choosing which films and documentaries to present in Germany, Ribas and her colleagues viewed nearly a hundred examples. "Todo Mundo" ("Everyone") is one that made the final cut. "[This film] is a visual treat in which director Thomaz Farkas examines the emotions of the soccer fans from a clinical perspective," commented Ribas.

"Don't take life too seriously"

"Subterraneos do Futebol" ("The Underside of Soccer") is among the festival's highlights. Made in 1968, the documentary film analyzes soccer's function as a pacifier for the masses. Gilberto Gil, now Brazil's culture minister, composed the soundtrack.

"Ginga," a documentary included in the festival, was released as a DVD on the German market shortly before the World Cup began. It was directed by Marcelo Machado, Tocha Alves and Hank Levine, a German living in Sao Paulo. Fernando Meirelles, director of "City of God" and "The Constant Gardener," produced the documentary.

"Ginga" takes a graffiti map of Brazil as a motif and uses it to tell the life stories of several anonymous soccer players from various regions, who dream of becoming big stars like Ronaldo or Ronaldinho.

Improvisation and creativity

Just before the credits, a brief explanation appears on the screen: "Ginga means not to take life too seriously and to confront hardship with the right combination of toes, heels and hips." The Portuguese word conjures up an almost dance-like way of running.

It means improvisation and implies creativity, said Fernando Meirelles. "Ginga is responsible for many positive aspects of Brazilian society, like the idea to produce organic fuel, for example."

The documentary doesn't, however, touch on poverty or violence in the poorer neighborhoods where many of the soccer players live. "Violence is huge, but it's the exception. Europe frequently looks at our poverty because it represents a reality that's different from the European one. The misery is appalling, but it's not the norm in Brazil. 'City of God' talked about the shadowy sides of society, but that doesn't mean that it's the reality in the whole country," said Meirelles.

The underside of soccer

"It's the Brazilians from the lower classes who are often more generous, happier and more willing to try new things," commented director Marcelo Machado. "Brazil has a lot more than just slums and drug dealers."

And why didn't "Ginga" put the big heroes on the screen (with the exception of Robinho)? "We tried to represent the lives of the children who can only dream of fame and riches," said Machado. "We tried to show other little known aspects to the audiences that only know the Ronaldos. We try to remember that talent comes from the streets and the playgrounds, from the amateur teams and from our passion for soccer."

The film festival Futebol na Lata (Soccer on the Reel) runs through July 3, 2006 in Berlin's Babylon-Mitte movie theater.