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PELÉ

By Michael ZIMBALIST, Jeff ZIMBALIST

IFC FILMS / IFC ENTERTAINMENT - as DISTR Theatrical, TV, DVD-video, VOD

Drama - Completed 2013

PELÈ is the miraculous story of the boy who overcame all odds to become the greatest soccer player that ever lived.

- Year of production
- 2013
- Genres
- Drama
- Countries
- USA
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Budget
- 0 - 0.3 M$
- Director(s)
- Michael ZIMBALIST, Jeff ZIMBALIST
- Writer(s)
- Michael ZIMBALIST, Jeff ZIMBALIST
- Cast
- Vincent D'ONOFRIO, Rodrigo SANTORO, Diego BONETA, Colm MEANEY, Seu JORGE, Kevin DE PAULA, Leonardo LIMA CARVALHO
- Producer(s)
- Brian GRAZER, Ivan ORLIC, Kim ROTH, Colin WILSON
- Synopsis
- Edison “Dico” Arantes do Nascimento grew up in the dangerous favelas of Brazil surrounded by a loving family but without much else. Following in his father’s footsteps his one true passion was football. However in efforts to protect him from injury and unavoidable heartbreak like his father had endured, his mother forbade him from playing. But with a group of friends who loved the game almost as much as he did, Dico couldn’t suppress the urge - whenever they could steal enough socks to craft a ball, the group of boys would find a place to enjoy their game. Barefoot and shirtless, nothing else mattered.
  When they learn about the opportunity to play in front of a professional scout, Dico and the boys go to great lengths to gather enough money to enter a local tournament. They are severely outmatched by opponents with proper equipment and coaches until they realize the only way to win is by embracing who they truly are. Playing as if they’re in the streets, together they soon begin to succeed and it becomes evident that Dico has been born with a magical skill. Immediately noticed by the scout, Dico’s mother eventually succumbs to his passion for the game and allows him to take a chance in the minor leagues.
  Dico struggles to adjust to the overwhelming arena, new distractions and unusual style of play until he learns to master his ‘gift’ – a calm feeling of equanimity, invincibility and heightened senses that would lead him to win the 1958 World Cup for Brazil at the age of 17 and eventually become the greatest football player of all time. In this moment of greatness - of believing in oneself and embracing one’s true nature - the star that we know today as Pelé, was born.
  Produced by ACADEMY AWARD® Winner Brian Grazer and directed by The Zimbalist brothers, PELÈ is the miraculous story of the unlikely boy who overcame all odds to find greatness, change his country, and inspire the world.