The premise and protagonist for this new feature film is extremely timely, the trials and tribulations of Fifa on the big screen... what could go wrong?
It has been announced that a film, named F2014 for now, will be released next summer to celebrate Fifa’s 110th birthday and the World Cup in Brazil. The plot tells the story of soccer’s global governing body and encapsulates all the drama, unrest and glamor that goes with it.
British actor Tim Roth will have the unenviable task of depicting much-maligned Fifa President Sepp Blatter, while Gerard Depardieu will also appear in the movie as Jules Rimet - one of Fifa’s founders and its longest-serving president.
Blatter went along to meet Roth, watch the video link here via Fifa’s website, and the two struck an uncanny resemblance as they posed for photos. Blatter was impressed with Roth’s performance of him, as French productions companies shot the film in France, Azerbaijan and Brazil.
Following Blatter’s many outspoken moments as FIFA President since 1998, the news of the film came on the same day that Blatter was a keynote speaker at Oxford University. Again, he spoke out with some rather memorable quotes surfacing.
He spoke about FIFA’s role in modern society and defend his role, and the role of his colleagues in trying to better the game across the world.
“You ask yourself, ‘What have I done? Why has it come to this?’” Blatter said. “Is FIFA to blame for everything? Are we not just a football organization working for the good of the game? How did it come to this? People like a scapegoat, of course, but how could things have become so twisted? As you can see, I am not some overbearing bully who can intimidate my critics with one look and strong arm governments to my will. … I am a servant of football. Not a dictator.”
Blatter continued, hitting out at the media who often depict him as the main problem in world soccer.
“Perhaps you think I am a ruthless parasite sucking the lifeblood out of the world and out of football,” Blatter said. “The Godfather of the FIFA gravy train.”
In his speech, Blatter then made another remark to the assembled students and dignitaries, and this idea may will be a good idea for a scene in the new movie.
“There are those who will tell you of the supposed sordid secrets that lie deep in our (James) Bond villain headquarters in the hills above Zurich, where we apparently plot to exploit the unfortunate and the weak,” Blatter said. “They would have you believe that I sit in my office with a sinister grin, gently stroking the chin of an expensive, white Persian cat as my terrible sidekicks scour the earth to force countries to host the World Cup and to hand over all of their money.
“You might laugh. It is strange how fantasy so easily becomes confused with fact.”
Right you are Sepp, right you are...
