Black Movies Review: Football Fables
In the last ten years African players have come to prominence in international football. The continent has always produced good players, but today Michael Essien, Sulli Muntari, Didier Drogba, Emmanuel Adebayor and others are household names. But the journey from their countries to the Premiership benches is not a simple one.
Football Fables, the hour long documentary by Baff Akoto, takes the viewer straight to the beginning of the story.
We follow Francis Boadi, a player from Ghana’s Under 17 team who is prepped for big things by his manager Kwame. The film also goes to Manchester United scout Tom Vernon’s football academy where players as young as 12 are offered an education alongside training.
Football Fables is a documentary that both soccer enthusiasts and amateurs will enjoy. The film tackles different issues in a way that is never boring. Although Francis is the focus of the film, academy leaders, Yaw, another student, and Ghana football personalities past and present are also given a voice. The result is a documentary that is well-rounded, engaging and terribly human. Both Yaw and Francis are charming and endearing and their determination to succeed is almost palpable.
Those curious about the inner workings of the football world will get insights about football trials and the negotiations that take place between scouts and managers. Ghana’s love for the beautiful game is apparent throughout the film: from the streets, to the stadium to the little boys playing in the fields, the nations lives and breathes football.
Football Fables is a condensed documentary that asks all the right questions but leaves a few unanswered: what has become of Francis for example? We also never get to hear the thoughts of the young footballers’ parents about their sons trials and tribulations, nor do we get a glimpse into the fate of the boys who do not make it.
Despite these shortcomings, Football Fables is a much needed documentary into the dream factory that is the UK Premiership. With the World Cup in South Africa just a few weeks away, the film gives audiences a chance to see the struggles and processes that shape the African footballer.
Football Fables is showing in London cinemas throughout June
