Topic: Football Is Our Life (TF)

Exactly seven days before the 18th Art Film Fest begins, the 19th World Cup football tournament will commence in South Africa. And for the first time in the history of this premiere sporting event, the Slovak Republic will be represented as well.

And I think this a truly fitting occasion for the founding of a football section in Art Film Fest’s programme. There is an overabundance of films on this tremendous social, athletic and commercial phenomenon. But this isn't about overt football films that all take place on a grassy pitch. More interesting in my opinion are those pictures that are football-inspired, but where more important and often more engaging is what happens off the playing field and aside from the game itself. The issues surrounding the unpredictable hooligans, the worship of football icons and discrimination against female fans of the sport - these are among the selected films’ dramatic themes.

Let yourself be surprised: men definitely won’t be the only ones intrigued.

Peter Nágel, section coordinator