History Film / UnitedPassions

A group of passionate European mavericks join forces on an ambitious project: the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). An epic, untold story that brings to life the inspiring saga of the World Cup and the three determined men who created it. Driven by their vision and passion, Jules Rimet, Joao Havelange and Sepp Blatter, overcame their doubts and fought obstacles and scandals to make the World Cup a reality. Spanning the tumultuous 20th Century, this timeless saga celebrates the game that, despite it all, became not just a worldwide sport, but an expression of hope, spirit, and unity.

* StockFootage: Of some moments of various matches in the World Cups, including, amongst others, the 1970 final (Brazil 4-1 Italy), the 'hand of God' by Maradona in 1986, the missed penalty by Roberto Baggio in the 1994 final, and, in the final credits, footage of a Women's World Cup and the 2010 World Cup moments of Spain scoring the goal in the final and Iker Casillas celebrating it).

* WhatTheHellIsThatAccent: Sam Neill as João Havelange. Doubles with WhatTheHellCastingAgency casting an Australian as a Brazilian.

A hagiography of the suits behind world soccer, past and present, it premiered at the 2014 Cannes Festival, but was released in the US the week after the major FIFA corruption arrests, and the ''same day'' Sepp Blatter stepped down. Cost $30 million to make, $25 million of which came from FIFA's own coffers, and earned $900 in its opening weekend. That's not millions or even thousands, that's ''nine hundred dollars''. One theater grossed $9, meaning ''one'' person saw it.[[note]]''Zyzzyx Road'' remains the lowest grossing film ever at $20.[[/note]] The only place where it made any sort of (minor) dent was in Russia, where it grossed $220,000, which, not coincidentally, is the host of the 2018 World Cup.

* HistoricalVillainUpgrade: All of the English characters are portrayed as aloof, racist, corrupt, or some combination of the point, with both brands prominently displayed throughout.
* ProductPlacement: FIFA, obviously, but Sepp Blatter's securing of Coca-Cola and Adidas sponsorships are also made into an important plot point

* HistoricalVillainUpgrade: All of the English characters are portrayed as aloof, racist, corrupt, or some combination of the three.

[[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer No, really.]] That's the ''official description''.

* AudienceAlienatingPremise: many critics ([[AndZoidberg and]] [[Series/LastWeekTonightWithJohnOliver John Oliver]]) wondered why anybody would want to make a sports movie where the executives were the heroes.
* [[BackedByThePentagon Backed by FIFA]] As mentioned above, FIFA contributed most of the film's budget, along with locations and some game footage.

No, really. That's the ''official description''.

A hagiography of the suits behind world soccer, past and present, it premiered at the 2014 Cannes Festival, but was released in the US the week after the major FIFA corruption arrests, and the ''same day'' Sepp Blatter stepped down. Cost $30 million to make, $25 million of which came from FIFA's own coffers, and earned $607 in its opening weekend. That's not millions or even thousands, that's ''six hundred and seven dollars''. One theater grossed $9, meaning ''one'' person saw it.[[note]]''Zyzzyx Road'' remains the lowest grossing film ever at $20.[[/note]] The only place where it made any sort of (minor) dent was in Russia, where it grossed $220,000, which, not coincidentally, is the host of the 2018 World Cup.

2015 hagiography of the suits behind world soccer, past and present, it was presented at the 2014 Cannes Festival, but debuted the week after the major FIFA corruption arrests, and the ''same day'' Sepp Blatter stepped down. Cost $30 million to make, $25 million of which came from FIFA's own coffers, and earned $900 in its opening weekend. That's not millions or even thousands, that's ''nine hundred dollars''. One theater grossed $9, meaning ''one'' person saw it.[[note]]''Zyzzyx Road'' remains the lowest grossing film ever at $20.[[/note]] The only place where it made any sort of (minor) dent was in Russia, where it grossed $220,000, which, not coincidentally, is the host of the 2018 World Cup.

2015 hagiography of the suits behind world soccer, past and present, debuted the week after the major FIFA corruption arrests, and the ''same day'' Sepp Blatter stepped down. Cost $30 million to make, $25 million of which came from FIFA's own coffers, and earned $900 in its opening weekend. That's not millions or even thousands, that's ''nine hundred dollars''. One theater grossed $9, meaning ''one'' person saw it.[[note]]''Zyzzyx Road'' remains the lowest grossing film ever at $20.[[/note]] The only place where it made any sort of (minor) dent was in Russia, where it grossed $220,000, which, not coincidentally, is the host of the 2018 World Cup.

2015 hagiography of the suits behind world soccer, past and present, debuted the week after the major FIFA corruption arrests, and the ''same day'' Sepp Blatter stepped down. Cost $30 million to make, $25 million of which came from FIFA's own coffers, and earned $900 in its opening weekend. That's not millions or even thousands, that's ''nine hundred dollars''. One theater grossed $9, meaning ''one'' person saw it.[[note]]''Zyzzyx Road'' remains the lowest grossing film ever at $20.[[/note]] The only place where it made any sort of (minor) dent was in Russia, where it grossed $120,000, which, not coincidentally, is the host of the 2018 World Cup.

* TheBeautifulGame and a seriously shined-up look at the ugly politics behind it.

2015 hagiography of the suits behind world soccer, past and present, debuted the week after the major FIFA corruption arrests, and the ''same day'' Sepp Blatter stepped down. Cost $30 million to make, $25 million of which came from FIFA's own coffers, and earned $900 in its' opening weekend. That's not millions or even thousands, that's ''nine hundred dollars''. One theater grossed $9, meaning ''one'' person saw it.[[note]]''Zyzzyx Road'' remains the lowest grossing film ever at $20.[[/note]]

->"Blatter is apparently good at finding money."

->"“The slightest breach of ethics will be severely punished [by FIFA].”

* [[BackedByThePentagon Backed by FIFA]]: Oddly, some top members (presumably those who aren't wasting their OnePhoneCall on it) think it ''doesn't go far enough'' in lionizing FIFA top brass!

* SoBadItsGood: A few critics have said this.
* SoBadItsHorrible: Most critical opinion leans this way.
^ StealthParody: According to TheOtherWiki, the film's director, Frédéric Auburtin, claimed he inserted "ironic parts" into the film.

2015 hagiography of the suits behind world soccer, past and present, debuted the week after the major FIFA corruption arrests. Cost $30 million to make, $25 million of which came from FIFA's own coffers, and earned $900 in its' opening weekend. That's not millions or even thousands, that's ''nine hundred dollars''. One theater grossed $9, meaning ''one'' person saw it.[[note]]''Zyzzyx Road'' remains the lowest grossing film ever at $20.[[/note]]

2015 hagiography of the suits behind world soccer, past and present, debuted the week after the major FIFA corruption arrests. Cost $30 million to make, $25 million of which came from FIFA's own coffers, and earned $607 in its' opening weekend. That's not millions or even thousands, that's ''six hundred and seven dollars''.