Buitenspel 2005

Buitenspel 2005
1h 30min | Drama , Fantasy , Mystery | 21 December 2005 (Belgium)
Storyline:
Flemish greater Brussels grocer Bert transferred his true passion, aiming for the national football (soccer) team, missed due to a knee injury, to his eager son Gilles (12), whom he coaches tirelessly. Excessive anger at the referee during the match when a scout may select Gilles for the provincial team, a crucial step, proves fatal for Bert's heart. Gilles is frustrated that both the grocery shop and his mother gradually are taken over by football-ignorant accountant Joris and imagines still being coached by father. His own foot injury will either delay his ambition at a crucial or may end it altogether if not treated properly.
User review:
Buitenspel is a movie about a 12 year old boy who is ambitious to become a Red Devil for the national soccer team of Belgium. After his father, played by Filip Peeters, dies of a heart attack Gilles gets to deal with a lot of emotions in his "new" life: mourning the loss of his father who happened to be his biggest fan and best friend, having to deal with his mother's new partner,… Also Gilles' soccer future gets threatened by a serious foot injury which causes him to having to make a very important decision.
Being a soccer fanatic in school at the same age as the main character I found this picture touching. The acting was great, especially from Joke Devynck and Filip Peeters, and I thought the camera work was pretty good too considering we're talking Belgian film making here.