Sepp Blatter-starrer FIFA Film 'United Passions' released in US,
mocked by media
Sepp Blatter, the hero of the movie, announced his resignation just
four days ago, on Tuesday.
Los Angeles: FIFA film "United Passions" came out in US theaters
Friday, in the midst of a corruption scandal shaking the world soccer
governing body, to the mockery of the American media. (FIFA Scandal
Spreads Around the Globe)
"Poor Timing Or Marketing Score?" the Deadline.com website asked
about the film starring Gerard Depardieu and Tim Roth. (FIFA Allegations
'Despicable', Says David Beckham)
A mocking Los Angeles Times commented that the feature "kicks far
wide of its goal." (White House Thinks FIFA can Benefit From 'New
Leadership')
The Washington Post said: "the film has the distinction of having
perhaps the worst timing in silver screen history." (Ronaldo Urges
Reform of Brazil Federation)
Blatter, the hero of the movie, announced his resignation just four
days ago, on Tuesday.
And the film has the rare honor of earning a 0-percent favourability
rating on review website RottenTomatoes.com.
The New York Post called it a "tedious, amateurish and hilariously
ill-timed film."
"'United Passions' makes you believe we have yet to witness the true
depths of FIFA's ego and arrogance," summed up website The Playlist.
Director Frederic Auburtin's film recounts the birth of the World Cup
and FIFA through three of its presidents. It was presented at the Cannes
Film Festival last year, with Blatter himself walking up the steps of
the Film Festival Palace.
Depardieu plays the role of Jules Rimet, a Frenchman who served as
the third president of FIFA, in office for 33 years.
A total of 14 football officials and sports marketing officials were
charged over more than $150 million in bribes.
Evidence given by ailing whistleblower Chuck Blazer to US
investigators told of attempts to buy the 1998 and 2010 World Cups
hosted by France and South Africa respectively.
(NDTV)
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