The Trailer For FIFA's $27-Million Propaganda Film Feels Like A Parody
Tony Manfred
MAY 22, 2014, 2:13 PM

"United Passions," the film that FIFA reportedly funded for $27 million, screened at Cannes this week.
Based on the trailer and the synopsis from the Cannes website, it's a movie about how great FIFA is.

The official description:

"A group of passionate European mavericks join forces on an ambitious project: the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). An epic, untold story that brings to life the inspiring saga of the World Cup and the three determined men who created it. Driven by their vision and passion, Jules Rimet, Joao Havelange and Sepp Blatter, overcame their doubts and fought obstacles and scandals to make the World Cup a reality. Spanning the tumultuous 20th Century, this timeless saga celebrates the game that, despite it all, became not just a worldwide sport, but an expression of hope, spirit, and unity..."

The disparity between the public perception of FIFA — many see it as a pathologically corrupt, aristocratic organization that only looks out for its own interests — and the FIFA depicted in the trailer could not be wider.

This is a film about Sepp Blatter being a hero. According to the Guardian, there's a rumor that Blatter himself made changes to the script.

Tim Roth, of all people, plays Blatter. Gerard Depardieu is also in it.

The trailer feels like a parody:

[youtube]JCjeD-Jqd2s[/youtube]

Huh, so "Blatter's apparently good at finding money".

Never would've guessed.

Sepp Blatter launches FIFA movie at Cannes film festival after spending £16million on production costs
Blatter has reportedly spent FIFA funds on movie 'United Passion'

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has caused yet another storm by committing the world football body to the multi-million-pound funding of a film that is regarded as little more than a giant vanity project.
United Passions, which was launched with Blatter in attendance at the Cannes film festival yesterday, tells the history of FIFA through founder Jules Rimet, played by Gerard Depardieu, Joao Havelange and Blatter himself — who is depicted by Tim Roth.
It is understood the film, which has received a lukewarm reaction, cost £19million to make, of which FIFA paid £16million, although a Zurich source claimed it was only half that amount — but still a huge investment.



There is great angst within FIFA that Blatter made the personal decision to commit to such a vast spend after being strongly advised to steer well clear of the proposed film — brought to his attention by Algeria’s FIFA executive member Mohamed Raouraoua.
It is North African sources who are adamant that Blatter has bankrolled at least 85 per cent of the movie, which is expected to be a box-office flop.
Once involved, Blatter was very hands-on in the production. Having seen an original draft back in March, the FIFA president demanded a number of changes, including him lecturing the FIFA marketing department, as opposed to the FIFA executive, on rooting out corruption after his first election in 1998.
Blatter is expected to be unopposed when he stands for a fifth term at the annual Congress in Sao Paulo at the start of June.

What a wank.

What a wank.

What a poor cast.

Danny Devito as Blatter FTW!

Javier Bardem with his cattle gun would be the ideal villain, but not sure which FIFA official he'd be playing. At least the coin-toss at each World Cup match would be interesting.

[youtube]watch?v=wkh6if8TL2U[/youtube]