I Dream of Zinedine Zidane

Ken Loach’s much anticipated movie “Looking for Eric” – in which a postman named Eric receives philosophical advice from Eric Cantona – goes on general release in the UK this Friday, June 12th.

That’s interesting enough. But even more interesting is that in 2005 Offside reader Jack McGinity had written and co-produced a short film titled “I Dream of Zinedine Zidane” (above) which has parallels with Loach’s film.

“Basically it’s about a guy who – funnily enough – dreams of being as good as Zizou at football,” McGinity explained to me via email. The film’s director Tim Gee contacted Loach, to let the director know about their short film. “He watched and enjoyed it enough to give us his blessing to get it shown before the feature when it’s released in the UK,” says McGinity.

Because “I Dream of Zinedine Zidane” was filmed digitally (for just £50, according to McGinity) and because “getting something printed onto film for cinema is REALLY expensive,” it can only be screened in UK cinemas showing “Looking for Eric” with digital projection.

If you’re in the UK and want to see the short and the feature, you can do so from June 12th onwards at the following cinemas :

The Ritzy (Brixton)
The Gate (Notting Hill)
The Phoenix (East Finchley)
The Duke of York (Brighton)
Exeter Picturehouse

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Category: World Football