Irish Film Institute -Substitute

Substitute

Director: Fred Poulet

France| 2006| 96 mins


For those who were disappointed by the impersonal tone of last year’s hit Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, Substitute is the perfect antidote. A collaboration between video director Fred Poulet and French midfielder Vihash Dhorasoo, Substitute documents Dhorasoo’s 16 minutes on the pitch in the 2006 World Cup tournament as well as the hours and hours of frustration he endured when left on the bench as the French team journeyed to the final. With footage shot almost entirely by Dhorasoo himself on Super 8, Substitute captures his initial excitement at being part of the top team and his growing frustration as he is left off the team by coach Raymond Domenech and sidelined by the rest of the squad. Honest and poignant, this film offers an insight into the world of football we rarely see – instead of WAGs and beautiful goals, the reality of broken dreams and defeat.

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