Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, remains one of the legendary all-time greats of the sport. Needless to say, the cinematic adaptation of his life story promises to be a must watch for football fans all over the world.
Be it on the streets of Rio de Janiero during the historic World Cup final in Stockholm in 1958, or on the streets of any other football loving nation in the world even today, Pele’s name elicits the respect befitting a legend.
While the Brazilian star’s career is well documented and remembered fondly by those who witnessed it first hand, football enthusiasts will now have the opportunity to enjoy a cinematic dramatisation of Pele’s climb to greatness.
‘Pele: Birth of a legend’, is set for a mid 2016 release. The movie features two Brazilian child actors — Kevin de Paula and Leonardo Lima Carvalho — as Pele, and has been written and directed by noted American filmmakers Jeff and Michael Zimbalist.
The plot charts Pele’s journey from the streets of Rio to playing for the Brazilian club Santos, going on to document his role in the national team in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. It also focuses on the relationship between Pele and his father, portraying a student-mentor dynamic between the two. The film was shot entirely in Brazil and is rumoured to be featuring scenes from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The trailer was released in the last week of March, and has been met with promising enthusiasm. Check it out in the video below.
