Anelka: Misunderstood

Insightful dive into controversial footballer Anelka's career

Watch on Netflix
About Anelka: Misunderstood

Released: 2020

Platform: Netflix

Rating: TV-14

Run time: 1h 34m

Cast
Nicolas Anelka

About Anelka: Misunderstood

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About

Anelka: Misunderstood is a biographical documentary released in 2020 that tells the story of French footballer Nicolas Anelka. Directed by Franck Nataf, the film explores the controversial career of Anelka, one of the most talented and misunderstood football players of his generation.

The documentary delves into Anelka's upbringing in a working-class suburb of Paris, his early successes playing for top clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, and his turbulent journey through various teams around the world, including Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea.

Throughout his career, Anelka was known for his undeniable talent on the field but also for his controversial behavior, which often led to conflicts with teammates, coaches, and the media. The film aims to shed light on Anelka's personal and professional struggles, exploring the reasons behind his controversial actions and the consequences they had on his career.

Making / Production

Anelka: Misunderstood was produced by Benjamin Rassat and Éric Hannezo. The filmmakers conducted extensive interviews with Anelka himself, as well as with his family, friends, former teammates, coaches, and journalists who closely followed his career. The documentary also features archival footage, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and insightful commentary from experts in the world of football.

The film's production took several years to complete, as the filmmakers sought to capture the complexity of Anelka's life, both on and off the field. Through careful editing and storytelling, the documentary aims to provide a comprehensive and balanced portrayal of Anelka's journey.

Actors

  • Nicolas Anelka - Portrayed himself as the central figure in the documentary, sharing his personal experiences and insights.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

  • Anelka's career spanned over two decades, during which he played for 12 different clubs and won multiple domestic and international titles.
  • He was known as "Le Sulk" in the British media due to his moody demeanor.
  • Anelka faced controversies throughout his career, including being sent home from the 2010 World Cup for insulting his coach.
  • Despite his controversies, Anelka's talent on the field earned him the respect of many fellow players and coaches.

Awards

No awards have been recorded for Anelka: Misunderstood.

Quotes

  • "I always knew that being different would make me unique." - Nicolas Anelka
  • "Football is my passion, my life, and my way of expressing myself." - Nicolas Anelka
  • "I've made mistakes, but they've made me who I am today." - Nicolas Anelka

Music

The documentary features a diverse soundtrack that includes both original score and popular songs. The music is carefully selected to enhance the emotional impact of the storytelling and to reflect the different stages of Anelka's career and personal journey.

Soundtrack

  • "Bitter Sweet Symphony" by The Verve
  • "Lose Yourself" by Eminem
  • "Heroes" by David Bowie
  • "The Show Must Go On" by Queen
  • "Wonderwall" by Oasis