| The Match | |
| Music: | Dalibor Grubačević |
| Cinematography: | Davor Bjelanović |
| Editing: | Denis Golenja |
| Runtime: | 119 minutes |
| Language: | English |
The Match is a 2021 Croatian-American sports historical drama directed by Dominik and Jakov Sedlar and starring Franco Nero, Armand Assante, and Caspar Phillipson.[1] The film was inspired by true events which transpired in the spring of 1944.
To commemorate Adolf Hitler’s birthday, the Nazis organized a football match between an elite Nazi team and a squad of inmates from the camps made up of ex-footballers and political prisoners. Led by the former Hungarian football captain the team of prisoners are winning by virtue of their skills. During the half time they are given an assurance that they win freedom if they lose deliberately. However, despite all the obstacles confronting them, they are determined to win no matter what happens. The story is told in flashback by the last member of the team, then a boy, who manages to survive.
The film premiered at The Jewish International Film Festival in New Zealand on July 25, 2021,[2] and it was released theatrically in the United States, on October 29, 2021, by Mutiny Pictures.[3] On December 2, 2021, the film had its television premiere on Showtime Networks.[4]
The film's soundtrack was composed by Croatian composer Dalibor Grubačević.[5] It was distributed under Plaza Mayor Company on August 20, 2021.[6]