It is one of the most extraordinary and unlikely sporting triumphs of recent history – a group of unfancied football players up against the might of world-class players from the likes of England, France, Portugal and Spain amongst others. The triumph of the Greek National Football side is the backbone of the new sporting documentary KING OTTO, which chronicles the cause and effect of the German coach Otto Rehhagel.
In the Summer of 2004, the European and World footballing fans convened on Portugal for the European Championships where Greece, who had been a long suffering and easy target for the seemingly bigger teams, had come into the tournament having qualified. They almost stunned England at Old Trafford in 2001, on October 6th, in the game that David Beckham, according to UK commentator John Motson, had ‘effectively played Greece on his own’.
Little did we know that that game would be the start-off point for what transpired in Lisbon and other locales three years later. It is a tale of self-belief and attempting to restore national pride in something that should be representative of a national consciousness. For the natives of Greece, it was something that was a challenge to believe in….
Christopher André Marks’ factual sporting documentary, which is getting its’ US Premiere on March 23rd with Rehhagel in attendance as guest of honour, follows a familiar structure like other recent football-themed work like MESSI, DIEGO MARADONA, BOBBY ROBSON – MORE THAN A MANAGER and ROONEY, focusing on the man behind the triumph, getting to know more of the intimacy and spirit that helps define an individual’s success.
There isn’t really anything new in terms of style that hasn’t been done before, but the story of the team’s success is revealed in terms of the cultural clash of a man who doesn’t speak the language initially, but who uses interpretation from somebody who knows and appreciates both cultures and helps him prove his worth to become the iconic hero of a nation.
One for football fans, but if you like triumph over adversity then there is something here for others too.
