Sepp Blatter-Starrer FIFA Film 'United Passions' Released in US, Mocked by Media
Sepp Blatter, the hero of the movie, announced his resignation just four days ago, on Tuesday.
FIFA film "United Passions" came out in US theaters Friday, in the midst of a corruption scandal shaking the world soccer governing body, to the mockery of the American media. (FIFA Scandal Spreads Around the Globe)
"Poor Timing Or Marketing Score?" the Deadline.com website asked about the film starring Gerard Depardieu and Tim Roth. (FIFA Allegations 'Despicable', Says David Beckham)
A mocking Los Angeles Times commented that the feature "kicks far wide of its goal." (White House Thinks FIFA can Benefit From 'New Leadership')
The Washington Post said: "the film has the distinction of having perhaps the worst timing in silver screen history." (Ronaldo Urges Reform of Brazil Federation)
Blatter, the hero of the movie, announced his resignation just four days ago, on Tuesday.
And the film has the rare honor of earning a 0-percent favourability rating on review website RottenTomatoes.com.
The New York Post called it a "tedious, amateurish and hilariously ill-timed film."
"'United Passions' makes you believe we have yet to witness the true depths of FIFA's ego and arrogance," summed up website The Playlist.
Director Frederic Auburtin's film recounts the birth of the World Cup and FIFA through three of its presidents. It was presented at the Cannes Film Festival last year, with Blatter himself walking up the steps of the Film Festival Palace.
Depardieu plays the role of Jules Rimet, a Frenchman who served as the third president of FIFA, in office for 33 years.
A total of 14 football officials and sports marketing officials were charged over more than $150 million in bribes.
Evidence given by ailing whistleblower Chuck Blazer to US investigators told of attempts to buy the 1998 and 2010 World Cups hosted by France and South Africa respectively.