The Other Final

Kramer is part of the Dutch design office 'Kessels & Kramer', who, amongst other things, did campaigns for Diesel and the Hans Brinker Budget Hotel. At this bureau there were a few socker enthousiasts. When Holland didn't qualify for the FIFA world cup, they came up with the idea of their own FIFA match between the two lowest ranking FIFA members, which turned out to be Montserrat and Bhutan. The national stadium of Montserrat is a mess, build on an active volcano, so this match was held in Bhutan. Incredible that a bunch of non-film makers can give birth to such a pearl of a documentary. 'Kessels Kramer' is also famous for their books with found footage photography and low budget photography. Check it out!

Given that this film combined travel and football, I suppose there was only the slightest of chances that I wouldn't like it. As it was, I loved every minute of it. Basically, I watched this in "goofy grin" mode throughout. This is a film for every duffer with two left feet who has ever chased after a football and dreamed of glory.

Basically, following the failure of The Netherlands to qualify for the 2002 World Cup Finals, a Dutch fan came up with the idea of an "alternative" final between the two lowest ranking countries in the world. Step forward brave Bhutan (202nd) and magnificent Montserrat (203rd). Faxes were issued and the challenge accepted by both. The film covers the build up to the game from both sides, as well as the match itself. It is a story rich in drama. One week before the match, neither side (for vastly differing reasons) has a coach. Three days before the game, they still don't have a referee.

The game was played in Bhutan (and while this tiny country has been on my "must visit" list for a few years now, this film really made me want to go there....and soon) and the tortuous route taken by the Montserrat team (via Amsterdam, Bangkok and Calcutta) suggested they were still trying to figure out where Bhutan was, long after they had set out on their epic journey.

This is a film about the joy of sport (in a world far away from over-inflated salaries and corporate sponsorship) and also about the meeting of two very different cultures. The Montserrat players are clearly more than a little stunned to be asked for their autographs. The Bhutanese captain (and centre forward) dreams of playing for Arsenal some day (although he knows it will never happen).

As for the game itself, it looks like all of Bhutan turns out to watch the epic contest and the local match commentary enhances the spectacle (e.g. "The Montserrat keeper looks very confident with the ball at his feet" - just before he hoofs it straight to the Bhutanese forward). The grass on the pitch is cut by hand, with a sickle. The penalty spot appears to lie in the middle of a marshy bog. It's also not every game where a keeper sits down in his goalmouth and sulks after losing a goal.

I guess the best tribute I can pay to this film is that not only did it make me want to visit Bhutan (as previously noted), but it also made me really wish I could have been there to see this game. If only I'd known <sigh!>. This is a magical film.

10/10

I saw this film on a late night when I should have gone to bed. I'm certainly glad I didn't because this tale of two countries is fantastic. It's beautifully put together, well shot and edited. Best of all, the characters tell the story and it doesn't suffer from "Nick Broom-itis" where the film maker is too much a part of the story. The football match that occurs at the end of the film is full of drama and well worth the wait too as the story builds well throughout.

A thoroughly enchanting piece for lovers of good film making with no footy knowledge required.

9/10

I have just finished watching this documentary and it really does show you the real side of football that people connect with and not the glamour and money that people associate with our game.

A great idea, A great documentary, A great game.

The movie increased my GNH (Gross National Happiness) by several orders of magnitude. Documentary of a match organized between 202 seeded Bhutan and 203 seeded Montserrat (2002 FIFA rankings) by a Dutch footballer and filmmaker, the movie shows us what sports can and should be. The simplicity and humility of a people not yet converted by Nike and Adidas sponsorships (though they perhaps dream of it) is heartwrenching and uplifting.