TIGRAR/ TIGER

Sweden, 2020, 116 minutes, Colour.

Erik Enge, Alfred Enoch, Mauritzio Lombardi, Frida Gustavsson.

Directed by Ronnie Sandahl.

A sports film, based on an actual character and his experiences.

Matt Bengtsson is a young Swedish football player, age 16 going on 17. He is acclaimed locally, is chosen to play for Inter Milano.

He is a young man, rather morose in temperament, devoted to his mother, his father absent.

While there are football sequences and many training sequences, the film actually offers a criticism of players’ spirit within top teams, their not accepting newcomers, taunting and touches of bullying, the repercussions for the player, support from officials. Erik Enge is quite persuasive as the young footballer. British actor, Alfred Enoch (all the Harry Potter films), plays his supportive friend. There is also a relationship with a model, leading to the challenge of what the player really wants, complete dedication to his sport or a full of life.

This is a film particularly for European audiences who follow the major football teams and competitions, interested in an expose of life behind the matches. Once the player has made a decision, he acts on the diary that he has been keeping and becomes a writer, publishing his expose.

At much the same time, a similar film was released from France, Marinette, about the difficulties for women football players, their not being treated professionally, and the central character being brought to the United States and being successful there.

1. A film based on actual characters and events? But dramatised?
2. A Swedish production, Swedish story, the initial Swedish settings, home life, football, celebrations, transition to Italy, Inter Milano, the team, accommodation, training, matches, spirit? And the experience and crises for Matt?
3. The story of Matt Bengtsson: his ambition from childhood to be an international football player, encouragement by his parents, his skills, 16 turning 17, slight build, his happiness in being chosen, writing his journal, farewell to his mother, travelling to Italy, the reception, the manager and the interview, the silence, the affirmation, supervised by Luca?
4. The promise of the room, his having to share, sitting at a table, the player walking off, the snide remarks, the bets that he would leave, no team spirit amongst the men? The practices, his steady discipline of exercise and training? The language issues? Travelling in the bus, his being ignored? On the field, the games, the injuries?
5. On the bus, sitting next to Ryan, Ryan as friendly, talking, listening to the music, giving advice, becoming a confidant? The buying of the car, Matt unable to drive, underage, the choice of the car, Ryan driving? An experience of friendliness?
6. Matt and his achievement, the year, playing, criticisms, a chance to play in the main match, the lower teams? Waiting on the bench, warming up, playing, the clashes?
7. Going to the club, the encounter with the model, talking, going out, friendly, the sexual relationship? The strictness of the club, curfew, his going out, in the car, caught, the warning? The encounter at the club, his explanation about his ambitions? Her not being able to understand his commitment? The breakup?
8. The background of his father, not coming to the celebration, his mother’s attitude, the message from his father, the phone call, the half sister, emotion?
9. The depression, writing in the diary, the cumulative effect of the team, Ryan and his being sold off? The dismissal of the player and his depression, climbing onto the building, urging him down? The interviews with the manager, his affirmation, wanting him to commit? Matt and his refusal?
10. The depression, walking on the road, hit by the truck, in hospital, the lesser injuries, his mother coming, the story of epilepsy? Her being prepared to go along with it, changing her mind? His determination?
11. Ultimate plea, his decision not to continue? His driving in his car?
12. The information, the aftermath, his diary, his writing the book, the expose of life behind the facade of the matches and victories, management, hostilities, lack of team spirit, exploitation?