Soccer film world premiere at 2010 preliminary draw

Told through the eyes of five former prisoners, More Than Just a Game follows the story of how political activists who were unjustly imprisoned on Robben Island in the 1960s rise above their incarceration by creating a football league, the Makana Football Association (Makana FA), thereby finding an outlet for their passion and commitment to discipline through football.

Pre-screened

Last week, Singh pre-screened the film for executives of the world governing body of football in Zurich and met FIFA president, Joseph S Blatter, who commented, "What happened on Robben Island was a revealing example showing that football is much more than just a game. For the ‘Freedom fighters', it was about dignity, respect, fun and hope in a space where humanity was surviving in the middle of oppression and infamy.

“In the world of today so divided and so unfair, football can teach us a lot on the universality and the solidarity embodied in the values and principles of our sport. The docu-drama More Than Just A Game is a beautiful project that FIFA is proud to support."

Said Singh, "The film is a tribute to the people on Robben Island who fought for the privilege to play football. We appreciate the support of FIFA and the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee for the opportunity to showcase our film at the Preliminary Draw. The film demonstrates the continent's love for the game, validating the FIFA World Cup finally coming to Africa in 2010.

Durban will be abuzz with activity 22 – 25 November, with more than 2000 people expected to descend on the city. The premiere will be attended by the original five Robben Islanders on whom the film is based, ie Mark Shinners, Anthony Suze, Lizo Sitoto, Sedick Isaacs and Marcus Solomon, as well as the actors that play them – Presley Chweneyagae, Wright Ngubeni, Az Abrahams, Tshepo Maseko and Merlin Balie.

In attendance

Also in attendance will be soccer legends such as Michel Platini and Franz Beckenbauer, as well as representatives of more than 100 football associations and a large contingent of international media.

More Than Just A Game will be released at more than 50 screens nationally in SA through United International Pictures (SA) in December 2007. The film is a Videovision Entertainment production in association with Telkom Media, Filmex (, Distant Horizon, and the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa. It is executive produced by Sudhir Pragjee and Sanjeev Singh and produced by Anant Singh and Helena Spring with Chuck Korr, Lord Ted Rowlands, Double Jab Productions and Hannelie Bekker co-producing. The screenplay is by Tom Eaton and it is directed by Junaid Ahmed.