Susan Granger’s review of “United Passions” (Leuviah-Films/Screen Media)
Talk about terrible timing! This historical drama, depicting the evolution of FIFA from its beginnings in the early 20th century to the present, coincides the arrest of 14 of its top executives on bribery, fraud, money laundering and racketeering charges and the resignation of its newly re-elected president, Sepp Blatter.
For those who don’t follow soccer, FIFA stands for the Federation Internationale de Football Association. And this film – written by Jean-Paul Delfino and director Frederic Auburtin (“Paris Je T’aime”) – is a self-financed, sanitizing, propaganda piece that reportedly cost approx. $30 million.
Utilizing numerous title cards, it chronicles the rise of the World Cup through the tenure of three FIFA presidents, who are sympathetically portrayed by well-known, presumably highly-paid actors.
Involved in the founding of FIFA in 1904, “visionary” Frenchman Jules Rimet, (Gerard Depardieu) presided over the first FIFA World Cup, which was held in Uruguay in 1930. Apparently, Uruguay was chosen because of the popularity of the game in South America and because it offered to pay all travel costs. The next World Cup was held in Italy under the Fascist regime of Benito Mussolini. Despite criticism, Rimet was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1956.
Brazilian/Portuguese Joao Havelange (Sam Neill) led the organization from 1974 to 1998. The sale of television rights increased greatly under Havelange’s stewardship, along with exclusive marketing agreements with Coca-Cola and Adidas. But he was plagued with accusations of having accepted monetary bribes, along with gifts of diamonds, Delft blue porcelain, paintings, art books, bicycles and other sports equipment.
In 1998, Zurich-based businessman Sepp Blatter (Tim Roth) succeeded Havelange, who noted that this new president is “apparently good at finding money.” In 2012, Havelange reportedly announced that commercial bribery was not a crime in Switzerland. Like his predecessor, Blatter worked to increase the inclusion of African and Asian athletes, and it was whispered that Blatter had cut an “unofficial” agreement to ensure that Russia and Qatar would host the 2018 and 2011 World Cups, respectively.
Although it’s obviously unintentional, there’s a particularly ludicrous moment when self-righteous Blatter warns against lucrative deals, noting: “The slightest breach of ethics will be severely punished.”
On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “United Passions” is a deceptive, disgraceful 1. It’s deplorable.
