FIFA+ and a host of global broadcasters have come on board to cement the global reach of the documentary feature. This comes as the company reveals the stellar list of footballing talent contributing to the documentary.
Using unseen material and made in collaboration with Trailer Films, Brazil 2002: The Real Story is the tale of the team who were victorious at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, told from the dressing room. The film uses six hours of unseen archive material shot by Brazilian football legend Juliano Belletti during the tournament, which forms the backbone of the story.
Collective Media Group and Entourage Sports & Entertainment today reveal that they have secured interviews with the world’s most iconic footballers to give a unique insight into one of history’s greatest ever football teams. The list of illustrious names includes: Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Cafu and Gilberto Silva from the World Cup winning Brazil team; and, from the opposing teams across the tournament, David Beckham, Michael Owen, Oliver Kahn, Hasan Sas and Marc Wilmots as well as legendary referee Pierluigi Collina. Two stars of the World Cup winning side – Roberto Carlos and Juliano Belletti are Executive Producers alongside Rebecca Knight and Claire McArdle for Collective Media Group, Mark Cowan and Paul Brighten for Entourage Sports and Entertainment, and Luis Ara for Trailer Films, who also is the director and writer of the film with Collective Media Group’s Arianna Perretta as producer.
FIFA has taken the 90-minute film for its own streamer FIFA+, a global digital platform created to connect football fans across the world, for territories including Asia (excluding Japan), Turkey and New Zealand. This is complemented by deals confirmed by distribution partner Abacus Media Rights including: Canal+ Group for Canal+ Foot and myCanal (France); Sky Deutschland (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg); Sky Italia (Italy, Republic of San Marino, Vatican City, Malta, Capodistria, Montecarlo and Italian speaking Switzerland); DBS Satellite Services (Israel and West Bank); Supersport Africa (for Africa); NOS Portugal (Portugal and PALOPs); Movistar Plus+ (Spain); and Stan Entertainment Pty (Australia). These sales are in addition to those announced on the film’s launch in February which included: Sky (UK); Front Row Filmed Entertainment (Middle East); and Viaplay Group (for its Viaplay streaming service in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). TelevisaUnivision also announced its acquisition of the film for North and South America (excluding Brazil), as part of the slate of Originals coming to ViX+, also negotiated by Trailer Films.
Claire McArdle, Co-CEO, Collective Media Group, adds: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the huge global interest in this film. It shows that the mix of exceptional access, new material and high-profile talent both on and off camera is a winning combination. We’re not only shedding new light on one of sport’s most iconic moments, but allowing football fans all over the world the opportunity to hear the story directly from those who were there at the time.”
Mark Cowan, Co-Founder, Entourage Sports & Entertainment, comments: “We are exceptionally proud of what we have all achieved with this film. Obtaining access to Juliano’s personal archive sets this film apart from a simple re-telling of the story. It gives a unique, insider's view of the Brazilian national football team of the time - and that is why Brazil 2002: The Real Story is in such high demand globally.”
Director Luis Ara of Trailer Films adds: “The collaboration between Collective Media Group, Entourage and Trailer Films has enabled us to create an exceptional film. Bringing one of football’s biggest stories to life in this way is truly special.”
Brazil 2002: The Real Story is distributed internationally by Abacus Media Rights. It is produced by Collective Media and Entourage Sports and Entertainment, in association with Trailer Films.
