ZIDANE:
A 21ST CENTURY PORTRAIT
aka ZIDANE: UN PORTRAIT DU 21E SIeCLE

Year: 2006
UK: Artificial Eye
Cast: Zinedine Zidane
Directors: Douglas Gordon, Philippe Parreno
Countries: France / Iceland
Language: Spanish / French (English subtitles)
UK: 92 mins
UK Certificate: PG contains infrequent mild language
UK Release Date: 29 September 2006
UK Distributor

Synopsis

ZIDANE: A 21st CENTURY PORTRAIT presents a different approach to the sports film, creating a real time portrait and a far reaching, in-depth film, focusing on the world famous French football hero: Zinedine Zidane. The shooting of the film took place on April 23rd, 2005, at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid during a regular la Liga championship game. During the entire 92 minutes of a Real Madrid vs. Villarreal match, 17 synchronised, super-35mm Scope format cameras were positioned around the Bernabeu stadium, at the level of the spectators, focusing solely on Zidane, who agreed to become the centre of attention for this out-of-the-ordinary, full-length feature film.

In this film, the viewers are plunged into all facets of the universe, the psychology and the body of an athlete in action - an incomparable and breathtaking experience.

The team behind the seventeen cameras include operators who have worked in film with the likes of Martin Scorsese and Oliver Stone, as well as some of the world's top sports camera operators including those that work for NFL Films and Major League Baseball. Additionally, two of the cameras where equipped with high definition zooms used only by the US Army until this film.

The soundtrack includes the roar of the crowd accompanied by Mogwai, the Scottish band formed in 1995, who have become one of the most influential post-rock bands.

It's a footballer and football, as you have never seen them before...