AFI Fest Day 2 – sell out crowds…
There were lines and people trying to get in. The thing was hoppin’!
I managed to see Pelé Forever, a documentary about Pelé and his career in professional futbol AKA soccer.
The 3 million dollar film was 5 years in the making and has been released in Brazil but is till seeking distribution in the US with hopes for a release to coincide with the 2006 World Cup.
Pelé Forever used 40 years of archival footage, plus new interviews with Pelé, his family, soccer pros, commentators and others to reconstruct Pelé’s life in soccer. While entertaining, pleasant even, the film lacks any depth about the guy. Kind of a bummer.
Still it was the perfect venue to see the film. The audience was hooting and applauding and really, re-living games and moments that they had seen before. Plus, Pelé was there with an entourage of state senators, the director/producer Anibal Massaini Neto and the like to introduce the film and accept a proclamation that November 4, 2005 was Pelé Day in the city of Los Angeles. He charmed the audience with words of love and peace.
I tried to see the Burning Man doc too – but it looked like a riot was about to ensue with costumed folks sporting day glow wings and wizard hats so I ducked into something else. Hope to fit it in today.