Here are five reasons why you should definitely watch Pele: Birth of a Legend

Bollywood is gearing up to launch a series of sports biopics like ‘Azhar’, ‘Dhoni’, ‘Dangal’. ‘Pele: Birth of a Legend’, a biopic on legendary Brazilian football star, ‘kicks off’ the new trend this Friday. The film, directed by Jeff and Michael Zimbalist chronicles the rags-to –riches story of a boy from the slums of Brazil, who went on to become the ‘Athlete of the Century’.

Here are five reasons why you must catch a screening the film:

A legend can come from anywhere

The story tracks the inspiring journey of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, a shoe-shine boy from the slums of Sao Paulo, who beat all odds to emerge as one of the finest football players of all time. As the title ‘Pele: Birth of a Legend’ suggests, the film takes you through his tough childhood, the history behind his moniker ‘Pele’ and finally culminates at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

The samba drums will soon be beating to A.R. Rahman’s ‘Ginga’

You can be certain that your film’s soundtrack and original score is in good hands, when it is Oscar and Grammy award winning maestro A.R.Rahman behind the consoles. The rousing and rhythmic score is rooted well in the Brazilian culture and proves to be a perfect blend of the samba and African drumming. If Brazil does manage to ‘find the ginga’ and dust off their horrible 8-1 loss to Germany in the World Cup, you can bet the Samba drums will be beating to Rahman’s ‘Ginga’.

Glimpses of actual match footage from the 50s

Shot in vivid colour, directors Jeff and Michael Zimbalist make Pele’s experience of playing the game, their visual subject. From standing on the field at the World Cup final, cut to a flashback scene of him running through the nooks and corners of the footballer’s hometown, this film takes you through his journey, in a way that you feel you were a part of it.

A film every sports person will relate to and love

Cricket may be a religion in India, but the struggles, sweat, tears and ultimate triumph that go into winning a game, is something every sports enthusiast can relate to. It is not the football that drives this film forward, but those little unforeseen instances, moments of doubt and flashes of hope that give this film a personal touch. 

A beautiful tribute to the boy who showed the world a beautiful game

The film has so much of history and culture tied to it, that the audience is fully able to understand what this sport means to the people of Brazil. It is a tribute to the 17-year old boy who showed the world something beyond tricks and tactics… he showed them a beautiful game.