|
The 2006 World Cup Finals seen through the Super8 camera lens of French
midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo, Substitute is the curious antithesis of Douglas
Gordon's Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait. Where Gordon presented a master in
action, here we see a player's inaction, as Dhorasoo is overlooked for much of
the tournament whilst his team reaches the final. Alone in his hotel room, his
frustrations become evident, which lead him to become more candid about his
position, his relationship with coach Raymond Domenech and with the rest of the
squad.
A collaboration between Dhorasoo and the singer, author and video
director Fred Poulet, Substitute presents football from a different, artful and
original angle, a world away from the culture of Baby Bentleys, poker playing,
WAGs and fun with fire extinguishers that fans of the England side or the
Premiership might have expected. Instead, Dhorasoo has dark nights of the soul
and finds comfort listening to Belle and Sebastian.
Striking and honest,
it's no surprise that the film caused some controversy in French sporting
circles, and hastened Dhorasoo's retirement from the international
game......
Michael Hayden
|
