The star-studded series begins on 9th of July, with the story of Bernie and Ernie, by five time Emmy Award winning director Jason Hehir, maker of HBO’s 24/7~
Mumbai: SPN, in collaboration with Sony Pictures Network, presents ESPN Films, a series of documentary films showcasing the most compelling and original sports stories. ESPN Films is a series that discovers themes beyond sports. Come this July, ESPN and Sony Pictures Network will showcase four of its critically-acclaimed, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning directors of ESPN Films documentaries on SONY ESPN and SONY ESPN HD channels, every Sunday.
The month-long series of documentaries touch upon more than the just the legendary status, carefully exploring the weave of friendship and colour in “Bernie & Ernie”; the devastation of war-torn South America and its impact on one of Argentinian soccer stars, Ossie Ardilesin “White and Blue and White”; the story of Sam Bowie’s perseverance and determination in the backdrop of the competitive spirit of the industry in “Going Big” and finally, the story of the myth, the legend, the man who made football more than just a sport, Mane Garrincha, in “The Myth of Garrincha”.
ESPN Films are a series of documentaries that aim to showcase the individual journeys of legends, in collaboration with a range of prolific filmmakers. Launched in March 2008, ESPN Films has been on the forefront for documentary film making, producing more than 100 documentaries that have showcased some of the most compelling stories in sports.
– DESCRIPTIONS OF ESPN DOCUMENTARY FILMS SCHEDULED FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2017 –
ESPN Films Documentaries
Bernie & Ernie
Directed by Jason Hehir
When basketball fans mention Bernard King, we conjure the same image — prolific scorer, fierce competitor and NBA legend. But few among us are aware of what made King the man he is today. One of those who has known him best through the years is college and pro teammate Ernie Grunfeld. “Bernie and Ernie” is the story of two men who had vastly different backgrounds and experiences and seemingly shared nothing in common except the game of basketball, yet forged a close friendship that has lasted four decades.
“White and Blue and White”
Directed by Camilo Antolini
Although a large number of Argentinean players have found football success around the world, very few have made a name for themselves in England’s Premier League. The notable exceptions are Ricardo Villa and Osvaldo Ardiles, who joined Spurs in 1978, when the notion of overseas players was still new to English Premiere League football. After the Spurs won the 1981 FA Cup, the Argentineans found themselves at the height of their popularity and success. But on April 3, 1982, everything radically changed as Argentinean troops descended on the British occupied Falkland Islands and issued a hostile challenge to Thatcher¹s government. A conflicted Ardiles played the next day against Leicester, but in a state of nervous uncertainty returned to Buenos Aires two days later. The senseless conflict killed over 1,000 soldiers. The war finished in June during the 82’ World Cup, but by then Ardiles had decided he couldn¹t carry on playing in England. In 2008 Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa, were inducted into the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame. This is the story of an unwarranted fall from grace and an eventual return to glory, many years later. The story of two gentlemen, that as fish out of water, were still able to make their mark in the most challenging of all football competitions.
“Going Big”
Directed by Jon Fish & Tom Friend
Selected #2 in the draft, ahead of Michael Jordan, Sam Bowie’s long and productive career continues to be overshadowed by his draft placement. Going Big tells Bowie’s story of perseverance and determination and how he refused to let his run of bad fortune deflate his spirit
“The Myth of Garrincha”
Directed by Marcos Horacio Azevedo
In Brazil, Pelé is “The King”. But Mané Garrincha is often remembered as the best soccer player of all time. If one was the King, the other was the Jester – an entertainer who amused crowds and turned the sport into an irresistible spectacle. After his playing career, Garrincha was abandoned by the same soccer establishment that exploited him and he died a victim of alcoholism in 1983. His body was brought to a local cemetery, in the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. Garrincha’s relatives had to borrow a grave, which turned out to be too small for his coffin. The sports authorities may have forgotten the Jester, but not his fans. Surprisingly, thousands of fans flooded the tiny burial ground, much more than the place could accommodate. After 50 years of a brilliant and tumultuous life, the Jester, the man who turned soccer into a “Beautiful Game”, could finally rest in peace.
