The Workers Cup

A film about the exploiting of construction workers from Africa and Asia, coming to build the football grounds for the scandalous and corrupt Qatar World Cup and the shallow background of making a worker's cup as sole band aid.

Working under severe and dangerous conditions they build the many new football stadiums before the world Cup, not happy with the food, the working conditions, nor the fact that they are modern slaves, in a desert country in severe lack of construction workers. They build for the rich, which are in their own playground, adding racist rules like disallowing them to even go into the buildings they build after 10 o'clock in the morning.

The only entertainment is the football cup which the different firms participate in, which is used for telling the world of great welfare benefits. Apart from that they like the cup, they are not happy, missing their family, being away for years, not earning enough to stop working. They are simply exploited as slaves with low wages and no time off, even for a single day or a date.

A meeting with the workers, their dreams, and their frustrations. Their wish for another life, and getting back their own country to build for their family.

The film is slow and well balanced only using text for the facts, and letting the workers talk.

Sitting in a darkened room, the lights all dimmed Caught up in the story, can't help but grin From the opening scene to the climactic end Every moment in between, I don't want it to end Captivated by the characters, they come to life Emotions running high, it cuts like a knife From laughter to tears, the range is so true Damn, that was a good movie, feeling so brand new Damn, that was a good movie, it hit me right in the heart Took me on a journey, never wanting to depart The actors brought it all, they played their part so well Damn, that was a good movie, a story I'll forever tell The plot twists and turns, keeping me on my toes Each scene carefully crafted, the director surely knows From action-packed scenes to tender love affairs Damn, that was a good movie, it had me on edge, unaware The soundtrack weaved its magic, enhancing each scene Setting the tone, making it all so real and mean I couldn't look away, I was completely consumed Damn, that was a good movie, my emotions bloomed Damn, that was a good movie, it hit me right in the heart Took me on a journey, never wanting to depart The actors brought it all, they played their part so well Damn, that was a good movie, a story I'll forever tell In that darkened theater, time stood still I lost myself in the story, forgetting all my ills For a couple of hours, I was lost in that world Damn, that was a good movie, my emotions unfurled Damn, that was a good movie, it hit me right in the heart Took me on a journey, never wanting to depart The actors brought it all, they played their part so well Damn, that was a good movie, a story I'll forever tell As the credits rolled and the lights came on I couldn't help but cherish every moment, every song Damn, that was a good movie, it left me in awe And I'll forever cherish those memories deep in my core.

I usually never watch films like this, but it was truly captivating before the world cup, last year I never even knew that Qatar existed. To be able to learn more about the 'richest' country in the world. Really in depth on the characters and it was shocking to find out that they had (migrant) workers building the stage and all. To think that the richest country has the biggest population of underpaid migrant workers. This changed the way I see the sport and the city, giving me new insight. I can now say that it reminds me of old imperialism and other exploitation methods of 20th century Europe.