We never realized how much we needed to see Michael Fassbender in a Comedy, till this! Here’s a first look at Taika Waititi‘s NEXT GOAL WINS, coming November 17, 2023 via Searchlight Pictures. The Film just premiered at TIFF ’23!
Synopsis:
Directed by Academy Award Winner Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok), NEXT GOAL WINS follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy.
(Photo credit: Searchlight Pictures)
By David Baldwin
In 2001, the American Samoa soccer team set the record for the worst loss in international football history, losing 31-0. Fast forward to over a decade later where the team (still the worst in the world) is trying to make a run for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, this time with the help of disgraced coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender).
What follows is your standard underdog crowd pleasing story of the coach who helps the team realize their potential and the team helping the coach get his groove back. Co-Writer/Director Taika Waititi (last seen at TIFF’19 winning the People’s Choice Award for future Oscar-winner Jojo Rabbit) brings his trademark brand of humour to the proceedings, embellishing a few details along the way. He knowingly injects some meta elements into the film – including calling out the white saviour narrative we all know too well – while also paying special attention to the religious and cultural customs of the team. These moments lead to plenty of laughs, but also gives the film a heartfelt resonance.
While I could have done without Waititi yukking it up as the Film’s partial narrator (why not use the motif of multiple narrators like they do at the end the whole time?) and thought there were a few too many montages, I would be lying if I said I did not enjoy NEXT GOAL WINS. It knows exactly the right beats to hit and at 103 minutes, does not overstay its welcome. Fassbender is great as Rongen, dialing into the intensity he is known for and a softer side he does not show very often. Oscar Kightley is terrific as the team’s manager, but despite there being multiple solid performances from various team members, non-binary Actor Kaimana steals the show. They play transgender fa’afafine player Jayiah in the Film (based on a real life, history-making player) and is the beating heart and soul of the Film. They act their heart out, delivering a performance that will have you laughing just as often as you are crying. You would never know this is their first film role.
NEXT GOAL WINS screens at TIFF’ 23:
Sunday, September 10 at 6:45 PM at Princess of Wales Theatre
Tuesday, September 12 at 6:30 PM at Princess of Wales Theatre
Thursday, September 14 at 5:30 PM at Royal Alexandra Theatre
TIFF ’23 selection NEXT GOAL WINS surfaces today with a brand new clip!
Synopsis:
Directed by Academy Award Winner Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok) and based on a true story, NEXT GOAL WINS follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy.
Directed by: Taika Waititi
Screenplay by: Taika Waititi & Iain Morris
Produced by: Jonathan Cavendish, Garrett Basch, Taika Waititi, Mike Brett, Steve Jamison
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Semu Filipo, Lehi Falepapalangi, with Will Arnett and Elisabeth Moss
Searchlight Pictures release NEXT GOAL WINS November 17, 2023.
TIFF announced today that Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins, a soccer comedy directed and co-written by the New Zealand filmmaker, will make its World Premiere at the 48th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (September 7–17).
“We’re thrilled to welcome Taika back to the Festival and share his audacious take on the most popular sport in the world,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF. “Next Goal Wins is perfect for TIFF fans of the beautiful game looking for their football fill until the 2026 World Cup arrives.”
The TIFF Ebert Director Award recipient was last at the Festival in 2019 with the World Premiere of Jojo Rabbit. The film went on to win the TIFF People’s Choice Award and an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Next Goal Wins stars Michael Fassbender, Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Semu Filipo, Lehi Falepapalangi, with Will Arnett and Elisabeth Moss. The heartfelt sports comedy is based on the 2014 documentary of the same name and follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around. Next Goal Wins is a Searchlight Pictures film.
More Festival details will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for TIFF 2023 go on-sale to TIFF Members by level beginning on August 18. For more details visit tiff.net/join. The full Festival schedule will be released in August.
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