The Football Tribe
This feature documentary is a collection of stories from across the universe of football
examining, not the game, but its potent rituals and the vibrancy of its surrounding culture.
examining, not the game, but its potent rituals and the vibrancy of its surrounding culture.
The Football Tribe is a documentary that explores the deeper rituals, identities, and cultural meanings embedded in the world of football. Having completed a successful first round of fund-raising through crowdfunding, we filmed explorative material throughout Europe and the UK, capturing each scene with the distinct style and tone we envisioned. The collection of moments we filmed are both surreal and intimate—sometimes humorous, sometimes dark—but always rooted in a deeply human essence.
Our journey began in Italy, Naples, where we immersed ourselves in the spiritual devotion surrounding Diego Maradona. We filmed a surreal mix of stories—from obsessive collectors to workplace shrines, a Maradona-themed cafe with its own candle-lit altar, and a deeply personal one-man theatre show that reimagines football within the context of myth and memory.
In Spain, our focus turned to the rise of women’s football. We followed young players—who alongside playing, worked in aquariums or rural farms—balancing ambition, family duty, and identity. Each story reflects a wider cultural shift, where football becomes both escape and self-expression. In stark contrast, we also captured a group of older male friends who gather yearly in Benidorm to drink, exchange banter, and grieve—using football as a ritual for remembrance and community.
In Macedonia, we explored football’s more tribal, nationalistic edge. We filmed with the Komiti Ultras in Skopje, whose loyalty to Vardar is fierce and political. We captured the quiet legacy of Darko Pancek, a former Golden Boot winner reflecting on fame, failure, and fatherhood, whilst chatting with his daughter. In the lower leagues, the struggles of FC Makedonija Gjorche Petrov are marked by grand ambition and harsh reality—trophies and patriotism set against bleak infrastructure.
Finally, back in the UK, we turned our lens to the grassroots soul of the game—village linesmen dodging moles, Sunday league referees holding chaos at bay, and local commentators bringing Shakespearean drama to muddy pitches. Figures like James, Richard, Maurice, and Matt reveal the overlooked poetry of small-time football—rituals of dedication, order, and love for the game.
We have not even scratched the surface of this immense project and need your help to show the wonders of the global landscape of football. Please visit the ‘Production Status’ tab for more details.
S. Bassett & S. Perry