It was a movie that was destined for disaster, but as trailers and reviews started to emerge online it became clear that 'United Passions' was a slap in the face to the world of film.
The movie was delusional propaganda in an attempt to make the higher-ups at FIFA look more human, but instead it just made everything worse. The movie was the worst performer in US box office history, as it took in just $918 in it's opening weekend despite a budget of over $30m.
None of this was a surprise to football fans, but what was a surprise was the fact that respected actor Tim Roth had agreed to play the role of Sepp Blatter. In a recent AMA (ask me anything) session on reddit, Roth was asked for his thoughts on the movie, and he gave an honest and frank explanation for his acceptance of the role:
It would have been very east for Roth to avoid this question, so fair play to him for answering it with full honesty.
It follows director Frederic Auburtin's comments shortly after the movie's release, as he revealed that once FIFA took over with their edits, that he had no choice but to accept that his reputation would be tarnished:
I tried to strike a balance between a Disney propaganda film [and] a Costa-Gavras/Michael Moore movie, Now I'm seen as bad as the guy who brought AIDS to Africa or the guy who caused the financial crisis. My name is all over [this mess], and apparently I am a propaganda guy making films for corrupt people.
via TheSlicedPan.ie
For Roth it was a paycheck that he needed to support his family, and he, like anyone else who watched it we're sure, will be looking to forget it ever happened.
