Taika Waititiis front and center in the latest trailer for hisupcoming sports comedy-drama,Next Goal Wins, which sees the ultimate underdogs in sports attempt to get their first-ever victory. StarringMichael Fassbenderas Thomas Rongen, a Dutch soccer coach thrust into an unexpected challenge, the film unfolds as Rongen takes charge of the world’s least successful soccer team, situated on the opposite side of the globe. The trailer blends some talking head footage of Waititi detailing the story along with humorous clips of the team in action.
Following a devastating world record defeat in a competitive international football match — a demoralizing 31-0 loss to Australia — the American Samoa national team embarked on a quest to uneartha hidden spark within their ranks by appointing an innovative coach with unconventional ideas. This remarkable journey, documented in a 2014 film also calledNext Goal Wins,captivated Waititi’s attention.
Witnessing the potential and promise within the documentary, Waititi was inspired to put his own trademark twist on the film. Although the sports drama began its development journey concurrently withThor: Love and Thunder, the onset of pandemic-related delaysand the studio’s frequent schedule adjustments hindered its smooth path to the silver screen. Nevertheless, the eagerly awaited story of the American Samoa national team is finally set to grace the big screen, bringing their incredible journey to audiences in the near future.
The Beating Heart of The American Samoa Team
Collider’sRoss Bonaimefound some highlights in the film, particularly the performance ofJaiyuh Saeluaas Kaimana, afa’afafinefootball player. Fa’afafine—meaning “in the manner of woman”—are assigned male at birth but embody both masculine and feminine gender traits in a way that is considered unique to Samoa and wider Polynesia. As Bonaime said:
The beating heart, however, ofNext Goal WinsisKaimanaasJaiyah Saelua, a transgender woman who is also one of the most promising players and the biggest help to Rongen. While the rest of the team are mostly known for some one-note joke or gag about their playing (one player can’t quit sliding and another is known as football’sD’Angelobecause of his ripped body), Jaiyah is one of the rare characters who gets a well-rounded arc and is one of the few players who stands out among the team.Next Goal Winsnever quite finds the heart that often makes Waititi’s films so powerful, but the closest it comes is in Kaimana’s performance.
Next Goal Winshad its World Premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and comes to theaters on November 17. you may see the new trailer, fronted by Waititi, down below.
