A short documentary of pure delight to soccer fans, especially destined to the ones who lived at a time when the sport was something of a noble
art with thrilling, heart-pounding and dramatic sequences rather than the money-grabbing business it had become without delivering a true spectacle. The
"God of the Race" from the title is former player Rondineli, who played for Flamengo in the late 1970's and early 1980's best remembered for a decisive
goal on a final match in 1978, against Vasco, with Flamengo winning the Rio championship. After brief stints with other teams he retired at age 33 due to
knee problems - but the film is a little unclear about that fact.
It's a somewhat interesting presentation of archive footage from some of the important games he played, a recent interview with the man, audio from
colleagues and game rivals (like Rivelino, who remembers a defensive moment from the opponent blocking a kick with his head, which stunned him thinking he
hit the player rather than the ball); and also the importance of Rondineli's name with enthusiastic fans that named their sons after him - expressed through
a series of letters read by actors.
As I'm not devoted to the sport, my praise for it is reduced but fair. It shares many good and interesting moments about a different period of the
sport and the legacy of a key player (who also played a few matches for Brazil team). Works as a great tribute to Rondinelli and Flamengo fans. The 1978
match is greatly told but poorly edited due to an intrusive freeze frame that hits during someone's description of the moment before the goal and it kills the enjoyment
for a little moment. And it's such a powerfully dramatic real moment of a game decided at the very last minutes that one should make a film or short just
about that match. A good short but strangely fragmented and jumpy with some facts and missing more stories. 7/10.
