The upcoming Netflix film The Beautiful Game will tell the unique story of footballers who are homeless, dreaming of winning the top prize at a special tournament called the Homeless World Cup. The tournament is a real event that attempts to raise awareness about the global tragedy that is homelessness by bringing together homeless people from various parts of the world.
Directed by Thea Sharrock and written by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, The Beautiful Game will star Bill Nighy as the coach of a team of homeless English footballers with Michael Ward playing the role of a talented striker. The cast also includes the likes of Callum Scott Howells, Valeria Golino and Layo-Christina Akinlude, among others.
“The Beautiful Game is a film about succeeding against the odds. Our film shows the joy, drama and excitement of this real life tournament and the enormous potential of people left behind by society,” said producer Graham Broadbent.
Continuing: “We’ve worked closely with the Homeless World Cup Foundation and our writer Frank has met many players from who’s real life stories he has created our characters, and we’re happy to welcome many former players from the real tournament to be a part of the filming in Rome and London.”
“We are incredibly excited to be the focus of the upcoming film The Beautiful Game. The Homeless World Cup is our contribution to tackling the homeless problem across the globe but there is so much more to do,” added Mel Young, President and Founder of the Homeless World Cup Foundation.
“We have proved just how powerful football can be when it is applied to a social problem and we will keep striving to do more. We hope that the work we do being told in The Beautiful Game inspires more people to join in and support future Homeless World Cups and together we can all aim to end homelessness forever.”