Homelessness is a problem that consumes our world, from the Americas to Asia and everywhere in between. As a way of putting a mild relief for some and showing the world a bit more of the problem, the Homeless World Cup was started in 2003. The tournament invited teams from all over the world for a street football tournament (similar to that of the real World Cup). In 2006, filmmakers Susan Koch and Jeff Werner set out to chronicle the event, focusing on six individual homeless players from around the globe. Football is the most played sport in the world and, while we all know the major professional leagues, there are those who have never and will never get the chance to be a part of anything like that.
While there have been many great sports documentaries in the past, the wide majority of them focused mainly on the professionals (and aspiring or former professionals) in the respective games. 'Kicking It,' however, took another look and gave the world a view of another side of football. Directors Susan Koch and Jeff Werner managed to take a subject that is both depressing and difficult to watch and make a film that is touching and inspiring (even though it is still quite sad). The filmmakers took a very sympathetic approach without getting too heavy-handed, making the film feel much more real and never once felt as if it was being interfered with. This makes for a film that, while dealing with a very painful subject, is still very much captivating.
If you want to see another side of the most popular sport in the world, don't hesitate to give 'Kicking It' a chance.
Final Verdict: 9/10.
-AP3-
While there have been many great sports documentaries in the past, the wide majority of them focused mainly on the professionals (and aspiring or former professionals) in the respective games. 'Kicking It,' however, took another look and gave the world a view of another side of football. Directors Susan Koch and Jeff Werner managed to take a subject that is both depressing and difficult to watch and make a film that is touching and inspiring (even though it is still quite sad). The filmmakers took a very sympathetic approach without getting too heavy-handed, making the film feel much more real and never once felt as if it was being interfered with. This makes for a film that, while dealing with a very painful subject, is still very much captivating.
If you want to see another side of the most popular sport in the world, don't hesitate to give 'Kicking It' a chance.
Final Verdict: 9/10.
-AP3-