Goal Dreams

The Palestinian national soccer team consists of players of all different nationalities. There are a few from Chile, one from the United States, from Lebanon, and some from Gaza. Their coach is the Austrian Alfred Riedl. It is his demanding task to prepare the team in a training camp in the Egyptian city of Ismaïlia for the international match against Uzbekistan, which should pave the way to the World Cup. The film follows the team in the weeks leading up to this key game. There are many problems along the way: for example, it is almost impossible for the players from Gaza to travel. Despite an official document that permits them to travel to Egypt, they have to wait for days before being allowed to cross the border. Meanwhile, tensions mount in the training camp. There is a confusion of tongues, as everyone is speaking a different language and the interpreters are not all that competent. It also proves difficult to gear the very different playing styles to one another. The training seems doomed to fail, but the players keep up the morale. After all, this team is more than just a soccer team: it is one of the few ways for the Palestinian people to propagate their identity and promote their national identity and pride. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)