DIEGO MARADONA – the film

DIEGO MARADONA – the film

By Omoseye Bolaji

For millions of people around the world, Diego Amando Maradona will always be the greatest-ever footballer the world has ever seen. After all, Maradona was more than irresistible and magical during the 1986 World Cup finals, especially when he scored unforgettable goals against England (quarter final) and Belgium (semi final) whilst propelling his country Argentina, to the final which they ultimately won.

It also helps that by the time Maradona was at his peak, international live transmissions of football on TV etc was already commonplace, which was not the case for Pele - Edson Arantes de Nascimento- (of Brazil) when he was in his pomp from around 1958 to 1970. Most of the world would have been too young to see Pele in action anyway; which further adds to the allure of Maradona. The latest footballing genius, Lionel Messi, unfortunately has not been able to perform wonders at World Cup finals level, the highest accolade.

Hence for me personally Diego Maradona has an impeccable allure even till date; I was thus delighted to be able to watch a full-length film (93 minutes) on the soccer genius. The film is orchestrated by Emir Kusturica, something of a maverick himself! This is apparent in the way this particular film unravels.

Those expecting a feast of football, details of the great matches Maradona played in, to be redolent in this film, might well be disappointed. Such glimpses do exist intermittently throughout the film, but the emphasis is actually on Maradona himself, the man regarded as something of a god by his fellow men, and millions around the world. Maradona has never been afraid to present himself as vulnerable and this is painfully obvious in this film.

The film, in rather higgledy-piggledy fashion focuses on Maradona’s rise to the top, his early great promise as a footballer, travelling and playing around the world, and his “political” beliefs. Maradona has always believed that he has taken controversial stands against “imperialist” countries, and even the FIFA juggernaut itself. His love for Fidel Castro and Cuba is also palpable from this film.

For me though, the part I enjoyed most in the film is when Maradona himself demonstrates that he is a successful Musician to boot! Belting out a most stirring song with participants in the Hall actively involved, we are treated to vignettes of Maradona’s personal life over the years, his “long-suffering” wife Claudia, and two daughters - from the time they were born. Even as babies, his daughters apparently “sing along” with adult papa! (the voices of both babies no doubt dubbed during the music) Now fairly grown up, the two daughters join their father side by side and sing along with him.

The melodious song is of course in Spanish, and whilst belting it out on stage Maradona explains how he had dreams of being the best since he was a youngster, how he brought great joy to his country with “the hand of God” (his famous and infamous first goal against England), how he met his “mysterious white” wife, how he made serious mistakes, and was far from imperfect; but despite all his travails he would soldier on and succeed! Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole… 

Then there is the “The Church of Maradona” – such a church actually exists, with many members who swear allegiance to Maradona - including newly-weds who kick football and shoot at goalposts as they kick-start their own marital lives.

At the end of the film, a rueful Maradona says: “Emir, do you know what we (the world) lost? What a great player we lost, how good I’d have been if I had not dabbled with cocaine?” (paraphrased here). There is a tinge of gargantuan irony here, even as a rueful Maradona goes on to say the whole thing is like a “bitter after-taste; I realize the mistakes I made…”

It IS ironic because despite all his misdemeanours, allowing cocaine to ruin his life and career, Maradona is still regarded as the greatest footballer by most of the world! In the 1986 World Cup he was at his very peak with unforgettable goals, helping his country to win the World Cup. Four years later, despite being half-fit he helped Argentina to reach the very final of the World Cup again. If we also consider the fact that Maradona played – and scored – in the 1982 and 1994 World Cup finals, it means he played in FOUR World Cup finals and in the very final TWICE. For his Italian club, Napoli, he performed wonders for such an unfashionable side too…

The film in its own zany, comprehensive way, is a wonderful tribute to the legend called Diego Amando Maradona.

MARADONA (the film)

A film by Emir Kusturica

Sound: Raul Martinez

Original music: Stribor Kusturica

Film editor: Svetolic Zajc

Produced by Jose Ibanez