If this sweet short film isn't forgotten by people is because it tells a good story about the greatest soccer player who ever lived and the Oscar nomination in 2000, so far the only ever received by a Brazilian film in the short live action category. I remember a lot of buzz around the time when the movie was nominated, the major TV network of here broadcast it days prior to the award (not sure if it was showed in its entirely, probably not) but I only reminded of it recently and decided to give it a look. Too bad we lost because this was a fine and creative movie about Pelé during his childhood, already a talented soccer player and showing his great moves in a small local championship, reminiscences narrated by a friend of his, played by Antônio Fagundes.
But here his name isn't Pelé, it's Zito. And his friend tells a story about their good old days trying to win a decisive game and a trophy, later on revealed as the proudest moment of those kids. "Uma História de Futebol" ("A Soccer Story") tells not only the importance of dreams but it's also a chronicle of a period of innocence evoked by the power of the storytelling, with an older narrator who tells more than just a soccer game, he jumps back and forth to present the people he knew and who were part of his life or part of the game (his friends, the handicapped coach, the members of the rival team), allowing his memory to go several different places but always coming back to that match. I prefer to think he's more than just an adult reminding of a fact, it's his little inner child who is reliving those days very fondly.
It's a pretty impressive film, beautifully made and well acted. Mr. Machline did a good job focusing on a national passion which soccer is downhere. Even non fans of the sport might enjoy it very easily. 9/10
