Maradona (90”, 2008, Emir Kusturica, in Spanish with subtitles in English)
14 February 2012; 18:30-20:30
CLM.5.02,Clement House, LSE, Houghton Street, WC2A 2AE
The Serbian director Emir Kusturica directs a celebration of the extraordinary history and phoenix-like resurrection of Diego Maradona: sporting hero, people’s champion, fallen idol and inspiration to millions. Enjoying unprecedented access to the man himself, as well as to extensive archives, Kusturica takes the audience on an intimate whirlwind tour of places and people closest to this god of football. From Argentina to Naples, from Cuba to Barcelona; from family and childhood friends to fellow players and world leaders (Fidel Castro), Maradona traces the great man’s incredible story, from the humblest of beginnings to world-domination; from spectacular, tragic fall to glorious rebirth. Profoundly moving, joyous and life-affirming, featuring an original score from Manu Chao, Maradona is both a unique documentation of a growing friendship between the director and his subject and a passionate exultation of a true legend of our times.
After the film, there will be a session of Question and Answer session with John Carlin .
John Carlin is a journalist and author, dealing with both sports and politics. His book Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation about former South African president Nelson Mandela is the basis for the 2009 film Invictus. An article by Carlin was the basis for the script of the 2000 Channel 4 documentary Maradona - Kicking the Habit. Carlin writes regularly, among others, in El País since 2008.