The story of Streetball, a documentary on South Africa’s 2008 – 2009 Homeless World Cup Teams

In Cape Town, there are two realities.  Sixteen years after the end of apartheid, South Africa prepares to

host the FIFA World Cup and the country is ripe with celebration.  New hot spots, airports and stadiums were built to welcome travelers from around the world. However, there remains a generation that lives in extreme poverty, with many youth falling into lives of violence, drugs and abuse.

Streetball is a fast paced documentary that tells the stories of South Africa’s 2008 Homeless World Cup team. The Homeless World Cup is an annual soccer tournament that draws teams from over 56 countries—comprised of homeless and the excluded.  The SA Squad consists of ex-convicts, former gangsters, orphans and recovering drug addicts that band together to represent their country, proving that no one is beyond redemption.   Streetball is a story of hope and of the resilience that dwells within the human spirit.   But while these mens’ dreams are simply to have a home and to be recognized as people who need care, often times the realization of those dreams is accompanied by a sobering reality.

]]> http://www.streetballfilm.com/2009/12/05/synopsis/feed/ 0 http://www.streetballfilm.com/2009/12/01/production-notes/ http://www.streetballfilm.com/2009/12/01/production-notes/#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:51:26 +0000 Christina http://www.streetballfilm.com/?p=2831 Behind the scenes stories of producing the feature documentary, Streetball.

Streetball was funded by South African PBO (Public Benefit Organization) and United States 501(c)3 public charity From Us With Love (FUWL).  With little to no experience in the film industry, but a passion to share the triumphs and tragedies of the 2008/2009 South African Homeless World Cup Teams, Streetball began production in July of 2008.

FUWL asked filmmaker, Demetrius Wren to join them in South Africa in February of 2008 to photograph and make short documentary videos of their ongoing projects.  While spending time with the South African Homeless Street Soccer League, President, David Abrahams suggested that Wren make a full length documentary film about street soccer.  Wren shared Abrahams request with FUWL Founder, Michael Smith and Smith agreed.  Within a few weeks, FUWL approved funding for Streetball.

Streetball was made by a crew of only two. Demetrius Wren and Christina Ghubril shot, wrote, interviewed, directed, edited, photographed, sound mixed, researched, graphic designed, and composed the elements that make up the film under the direction of Executive Producer, Michael Smith, who also founded FUWL in April of 2007.

Thanks to modern technology, two 25 year olds with a lot of passion could complete a film in their living room.  Streetball was edited, sound designed and graphic designed on a Mac, using all Mac programs.

FUWL’s strong relationships with organizations involved with the street soccer league, gave Wren and Ghubril full access to the staff and players.  Wren and Ghubril would often leave the cameras behind and spend time getting to know the players and the Cape Town community.  The friendships that formed made it comfortable to hold conversational interviews and hang out at ease while a camera was around

Without a full crew or imposing equipment, Wren and Ghubril gained access into places and stories that are not often open to “outsiders” or media. Also, without Martin Africa, much of Streetball would not exist. He took Wren and Ghubril into locations that housed local gangs and to where many street people lived.  Once, Ghubril watched a man twirl a gun at them while filming in the Quarry but he put it down when he saw Martin with the crew.  On Long Street, Martin was told by some kids that if he wasn’t with the crew, they would’ve stolen the cameras.

Ghubril wanted to highlight South African musicians and artists in the film, to give context to the vibrant post-apartheid culture and generation. Wren was inspired by the “Take-Away Videos” — one-shot music videos of bands performing live in their community locations.  The two combined their ideas and brought South African musicians into the fabric of the film.

While finishing her undergrad in Johannesburg, Ghubril met Wandile Molebetsi of UjU, and would frequent UjU’s concerts each week.  Kgafela oa Magogodi was her professor at NYU and at the University of the Witwatersrand.  On her spring break in Cape Town, Ghubril visited the District 6 museum where she was moved by Faith47’s artwork.  Jitsvinger, the Rudimentals and ETC Crew, were found on myspace.  They all generously donated their time, music and artwork to From Us With Love for Streetball.  All proceeds from the film and soundtrack will go to fund From Us With Love’s ongoing projects to bring about hope in South Africa.

“South Africa has more than 1,000 children that are being orphaned daily with a current estimate of 1 million children orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. This will increase to approximately 2 million by 2010 and in Africa, to over 40 million.” (ABB South Africa)

From Us With Love

www.FromUsWithLove.org

From Us With Love (FUWL) became aware of street soccer and the Homeless World Cup, an international event for the sport, during the summer of 2007 in South Africa.  They learned that entrance can’t be gained into the lives of people who live on the streets as easily with knowledge and wisdom as with a soccer ball. FUWL wanted to share the excitement of the sport and the triumphs and tragedies of those who play it.  From Us With Love proudly presents Streetball, a documentary film following the 2008/2009 South African Homeless World Cup teams.

FUWL is a registered 501 c3 Public Charity in the United States and a registered Public Benefit Organization (PBO) in South Africa.  FUWL works closely with other organizations that serve the needs of impoverished South Africans in order to provide the most effective aid possible.

One of the projects FUWL sponsors is South Africa’s Homeless World Cup street soccer league.  FUWL believed the stories of the players in the league were significant and believed that sharing them through a documentary is a powerful way to spread the word about homelessness and the plight of many South African youth.

FUWL recognizes the basic worth of every person – that we are all more alike than we are different, and that we all deserve care and support.  FUWL operates out of the belief that we are part of a very interconnected world, and improving viability for communities anywhere strengthens human viability everywhere.  Also, by focusing on improving education, health services, good nutrition, cultural arts, sports and voluntourism opportunities, FUWL invests in a brighter future for humanity.

Patricia de Lille and Lance Greyling with team

The players returned home to South Africa this week.  While there were some bumps along the way, they are now all home, safe and sound.  Soon after they landed, they were invited to Parliament and were recognized by Patricia de Lille, the leader of the Independent Democrats political party.  Also, they were welcomed by Kgalema Motlanthe who served as President of South Africa between  September 25, 2008 and May 9, 2009, completing the second term of Thabo Mbeki. He currently serves as Deputy President of South Africa and of the African National Congress.

These leaders spoke of how proud they were of the team for representing South Africa in Milan and for bringing home the Milan Cup, which Martin Afrika presented to Deputy President Motlanthe while at Parliament.

Kgalema Motlanthe with the team

Interviews for local news media

Taryn Aveley, FUWL regional coordinator with 2009 team captain, "Mabuthi"

Blog and photos by Christina Ghubril

Goalie Trials

Yesterday was another significant day here in Cape Town.  South African Homeless Street Soccer held their trials for a keeper for the 2009 Homeless World Cup team.  All of the players who are in the finals were there playing against each other and Thapelo, Rasta and the coaches surrounded the courts offering guidance and support. I wasn’t here for last year’s trials and it was impressive to me, seeing the players try out, knowing how much stronger and sharper they will become in the next few months.

Martin Afrika was there and it was wonderful to see him again.  He is physically strong and sharp and clearly a leader on the court.  He looks like he has lost a bit of weight and has some sadness in him where there used to be pure adrenaline and excitement.  He got kicked out of MyLife, he says for bringing his girlfriend over, and spent a few weeks back on the street and had everything he owned stolen from him.  The depression of his circumstances led him back to drugs, none of which he was happy about.  Since he is trying out for the 2009

team, he is back living at MyLife but doesn’t feel like he is as loved or accepted by his community as he once did.  Due to his appearance and tattoos he has gathered that there are people who do not want to be seen with him, since he looks like a gangster.  He has had troubles with some of his old relationships following him, particularly when he leaves his current community and, for example, goes to visit his son.  He was chased by a rival gang the last time he dropped his son off and was scared for his life.  I admire more than ever his heart and resolve to try and stay positive and hopeful and work towards health in his life. I know it has not been easy.

Also, he is still working to get his ID.  He can’t get a job without it and there continues to be hurdle after hurdle for him.  Most recently, he has been told that his finger prints look like someone from Madagascar and so he is trying now to deal with it from this angle.  He says if it weren’t for football he would be back on the streets and have given up.  Football keeps him going.  It is the one thing every day that he enjoys and is inspired by and can fight for.

Rasta was also there.  Rasta has had a very different experience than Martin and still lives at MyLife, feeling positive about his life.  He gets odd jobs from time to time and is in training to be a coach.  He is in good spirits and claims that the Homeless World Cup changed his life completely.  His face is all smiles and we have heard from the other coaches and from Thapelo that Rasta is doing a great job coaching the incoming goalies.  He takes his job seriously and seems to take great pleasure in it.

Rasta

Rasta also spoke of his concerns for Sandile, in particular, who is no longer living at MyLife, apparently for having his girlfriend over, as well.  It sounds like Sandile is living back at the quarry, but he is harder to find these days.  The coaches are also bringing him on to help lead the 2009 team and are hoping that will encourage him and offer a deeper sense of purpose again.

I knew this wouldn’t be an easy “and they all lived happily ever after” story but it is still hard to see people that we have grown to love struggling after a season that was so full of hope.  I am thankful that there is a good mix of guys who have  found encouragement in the last few months to run alongside of those who are having a bit of a difficult time.  They still think of each other as brothers, as a team, and work as best as they can to support and lift each other up , which is a beautiful thing to see.  I am still quite hopeful for all of them.  I know these things take time.