Most of us can name a sports film that has held a special place in our hearts for a long time. Taika Waititi’s new film, Next Goal Wins, achieves a heartfelt relief in the world of cinema today by focusing on not just the sport or need to win, but on the family that helps you get to at least that one goal.
Photo Credit: Searchlight Pictures
While watching this film, I felt immediately placed into a community that captured the authenticity of the American Samoan people – their way of life, their humor and their value on family.
Taika Waititi on the set of NEXT GOAL WINS. Photo by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2023 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
“Throughout the process, Taika’s top priority was authenticity, particularly in depicting Polynesian culture,” says producer Basch. “We paid close attention to every aspect of the production, including casting, wardrobe, and production design, to ensure a genuine portrayal of the American Samoan people and their environment.”
Kaimana and the cast of NEXT GOAL WINS. Photo by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2023 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
What made this film successful was how well they captured humor in an emotional story. The comedy highlights the importance of the deep feelings involved in the lives of these characters. The laughs don’t take away from the tearful moments. More so than that, it allowed the beauty of Samoan culture to be portrayed on the big screen. The representation gave Waititi and the rest of the cast and crew the chance to show the importance that family – Aiga in Samoan – plays.
Michael Fassbender and Kaimana in NEXT GOAL WINS. Photo by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2023 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
This film’s charm in part comes from the American Coach Thomas Rongen, played by Michael Fassbender, trying to learn how to adjust. He has to see the community, the world and life through the eyes of the team. He had to open his eyes and heart to a team that wanted more than winning, but wanted a family who helped each other in trying times. Rongen learns the concept of true collectivism.
Michael Fassbender in NEXT GOAL WINS. Photo by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2023 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
“With Samoans in particular, the space between two people connects them,” shares Oscar Kightley, Samoan-New Zealand actor and previous Waititi collaborator (Hunt for the Wilderpeople) who plays Tavita, the head of the American Samoa Football Federation. “Culture connects us as opposed to just being individuals. Because Taika is Māori, he gets it – it’s part of his work, it’s reiterating our common humanity.”
(From L-R): Hilo Pelesasa, Ioane Goodhue, Kaimana and Beulah Koale in NEXT GOAL WINS. Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures.© 2023 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
The motifs captured by imagery like mirrors and glass windows highlighted the space between two people that could be bridged. It points out the relationship and connection between the individuals in our lives. In several scenes, the creative choice to include reflection of self through mirrors and the connection between people through glass windows and doors became a strong cinematic choice in this retelling.
The cast of NEXT GOAL WINS. Photo by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2023 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
The humor stands on it’s own as being heartwarming and joyous – there was no need to force a gimmick, quip or tagline. The screenplay was written by Waititi and Iian Morris, and Waititi’s style to blend comedy so beautifully with the heartbreaking moments of life makes this sport film stand out as more than just that – it become a visual story about the beauty, love and happiness of a people who get to see their experiences worldwide.
The film has come out to theaters nation-wide on November 17th.
It is definitely worth the experience!
