Sylvie Colonna, president of a struggling soccer club, teams up with her partner José Pinto to revitalize their lives and business in Pontault-Combault. Their son, Manu, discovers a talented player, Kidane, amidst competing agents eager to sign him. They enlist the help of Sylvie’s retired father, Alain, but face challenges in the transformed soccer landscape. Meanwhile, the sequel to the cult classic “3 zéros” explores the evolving world of soccer, blending comedy and reality with familiar players and coaches.
Overview
Sylvie Colonna, the head of the Haricots d’Arpajon soccer club, has carved out a new life alongside José Pinto. Together, they operate a Portuguese eatery in Pontault-Combault named Churrasco, but they are facing significant challenges in their business. Their son Manu, who is in his thirties, aspires to be a player’s agent and stumbles upon a significant talent: Kidane, a young soccer sensation making waves on the field. However, competition is fierce, as other agents are already eyeing Kidane.
Seeing Kidane as a potential ticket out of their financial troubles, the Pintos reach out to Alain Colonna, who is now enjoying a quiet retirement in Tahiti, for assistance. Yet, the soccer landscape has evolved. Together, they must confront DZ, the industry’s most prominent agent, noted for his questionable integrity. Their ultimate goal is to help Kidane join his dream club, PSG.
‘The Game Has Evolved’
In 2002, soccer enthusiasts were captivated when Lorant Deutsch skillfully juggled with Ronaldinho while sporting a PSG jersey, as part of Fabien Onteniente’s film 3 zéros. This film shifted its focus to the soccer realm and attracted a remarkable 1,271,238 viewers in theaters, creating a lasting cultural impact. As the director shares, ‘It has become a cult classic in the industry.’ Many players, including Karim Benzema and Presnel Kimpembe, who appeared in the movie as children, have been deeply influenced by its lines.
The sequel, titled 4 zeros, features a blend of veteran actors (Gérard Lanvin, Isabelle Nanty, Stomy Bugsy) and newcomers (Didier Bourdon, Shy’m, Kaaris, Paul Pogba) two decades later. The motivation behind Onteniente’s return to soccer-themed cinema stems partly from Kylian Mbappé’s remark that ‘Football has changed.’ It presents an opportunity for Onteniente to explore the dynamics between different generations of players.
‘Yes, partly. But I create films like Camping or Disco that highlight both the light-hearted and underlying serious aspects of society. It’s a reflection on how things have changed over twenty years, using the metaphor of a balloon representing the Earth: when Gérard Lanvin asks, “Reassure me, is the balloon still round?”, it signifies a contemplation of whether life is still in balance.’
‘The soccer universe serves as a lens to examine contemporary society while maintaining a sense of structure: a soccer pitch has clear boundaries, which I appreciate as it allows for a focused exploration of modern themes.’
Fiction Meets Reality
Fans who enjoyed the interaction between actors and real soccer players in 3 zéros will find 4 zéros equally appealing. The film features a host of players, consultants, and coaches, providing soccer aficionados with a genuine experience. But what was the process of enticing these personalities to participate?
‘I’ve built strong friendships and contacts since making 3 zéros, and they appreciate my respectful portrayal of their world.’ Fabien Onteniente admits his aspiration to include Zinédine Zidane in the sequel. ‘When they hear about 4 zeros, they’re eager to join. They know I’ll treat them honestly.’
As for the balance between truth and exaggeration in 4 zéros, Onteniente asserts: ‘Everything depicted is grounded in reality, including the player’s timeshare scenario. I would never tell a story I can’t stand behind, as I’ve seen too many unrealistic portrayals of soccer that I despise.’
To maintain authenticity, Onteniente filmed at key locations such as the Parc des Princes and the training facilities of PSG and Stade de Reims. Were there any challenges with the clubs regarding the script?
‘No, they were very cooperative. They certainly had a say in the script, with Paris Saint-Germain being more complex due to their multi-layered decision-making processes. It felt like mountain climbing to navigate, requiring a direct approach to the top.’
‘For Stade de Reims, my friend and club president Jean-Pierre Caillot welcomed me, making the process smoother. Additionally, Belkebla, a well-connected figure in Parisian soccer, helped showcase regional infrastructures, including Paris 13 Atletico.’
Staging the Matches
Beyond selecting locations, crafting the comedic soccer scenes presented its own set of challenges, requiring a combination