BY: Andres Vallecilla Jaramillo

In these days when everything you see, hear and feel is related to the most popular sport in the world, we want to make a list of movies whose central theme is football.

 

GOAL! (2005)

Directed by Englishman Danny Cannon, this film tells the story of a young immigrant's dream of becoming a star player, a dream that comes true when he is signed by Newcastle United. A sequel to this sports film was released in 2007.

 

HOOLIGANS (2005)

Starring Elijah Wood and directed by Lexi Alexander, a violent film that delves into the world of hooligans and their way of life.

 

MEAN MACHINE (2001)

A comedy directed by Robert Aldrich in which the inmates of an English prison, led by Danny Meehan (Vinnie Jones), see an opportunity to vent their anger in a football match against the guards.

Years after the premiere, Peter Segal would direct THE LONGEST YARD, which would be the American version of this film, starring Adam Sandler, this time with American football.

 

SHAOLIN SOCCER (2001)

Directed by Stephen Chow, this Chinese film combines the incredible martial arts learned by Shaolin monks with the beauty of football.

 

THE COLORS OF THE MOUNTAIN (2010)

Film made in Colombia in collaboration with Panama, directed by Carlos César Arbeláez.

Manuel is a 9-year-old boy who, like any child, loves playing soccer with his friends. One day, his ball lands in a field riddled with landmines planted by guerrillas and paramilitaries. That ball, and Manuel and his friends' desire to retrieve it, becomes the perfect symbol to describe the reality in many Colombian towns.

 

THE MATCH (1999)

The only two bars in a village called Inverdourne are fighting over customers. One caters to the village's less affluent residents, while the other is where the wealthier locals go to enjoy a beer. Seeing that they're stealing each other's customers, they decide to settle their dispute in the best way possible: with a football match.

 

Finally, we leave you with the trailer for the documentary film about one of the best players in the modern world.