Follow the true story of the world’s worst soccer team. At a 2001 world cup qualification game, the American Samoa team suffered a legendary 31-0 defeat. Twelve years later, a new team is determined to redeem their honor. Their lack of skill won’t stop them from giving it their all.
Genre: comedy, drama, sport
Language: English, subtitles: Dutch
This film is not about sport. It’s about life, why it’s worth living, and how to overcome the humiliation that hangs over the small Pacific island of American Samoa like an unforgiving cloud. Next Goal Wins isn’t free of stereotypes, but it does provide a glimpse into Polynesian culture, for example in the portrayal of Jaiyah, who is a Fa’afafine, which in American Samoan culture are people who have a fluid gender, moving between male and female worlds, showing two spirits in one person coexisting.
It is also refreshing to see so many people finding meaning and happiness in non-material things, so different from our success- and consumer-driven world.
Are you in the mood for a Feelgood film with some uncomplicated humor, but a message to pounder on? Or a film that makes you wish summer was already here? This one is for you. Or you can just enjoy the beautiful scenery. Oscar-winning director Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok) once again shows his talent for seamlessly blending humor and emotion.
Reviews
“It's not a usual story: a down on its luck team that has its own way of doing things turns a jaded coach into a human with a heart.” Arizona Republic
“Ultimately, Next Goal Wins isn’t really a sports movie at all, but one whose deceptively simple mantras — “Be happy” and “There’s more to life than soccer” —are the most subversive (and winning) things about it. - Washington Post
“Next Goal Wins is [Waititi's] best and most crowd-pleasing effort to date.” TheWrap
TU/e Vitality Week
This film is part of the TU/e Vitality Week which takes place from 11 – 15 March 2024. During the Vitality Week all TU/e students and employees can participate in various workshops and activities on different topics such as nutrition, mental health, sleep behavior and exercise.
Ticket information
This film will be shown at Filmhuis De Zwarte Doos. Buying a ticket online in advance is mandatory if you want to attend this film. You can buy a ticket by clicking on the black “order” button on this page.
Please note: you can only buy a ticket online; tickets cannot be purchased with cash or bank card at the ticket counter.
For more general information about tickets, refund policies, etc., please click here.
Please be on time
The screening of the film starts at 19:30 sharp (no pre-film advertisements) and the cinema hall opens at 19:10. We kindly ask you to be at the ticket counter at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the film. This is to ensure the film starts and ends on time.
The Studium Generale film program is selected in collaboration with the Student Film Committee and Natlab.