SYNOPSIS

Set in the fictional land of Bolanesia, with events loosely based on the nefarious Indonesian league, The Ball is Round is the story of how a team of underdogs finds triumph after going against all the odds. And in the process they prove that in soccer, as in life, anything can happen.

The Ball is Round is a soccer comedy for all ages. It is the story of two rivaling soccer  teams: The expensively assembled Black Brigades FC, owned by Dames (Butet Kertarajasa), the current governor of Bolanesia, and candidate for re-election, and the Savage Sheep FC, a privately owned club that relies on youth development.

When the owner of the Savage Sheep FC dies in a mid-game heart attack, his estranged daughter Kanya (Nova Eliza) decides to take over the team and continue her father's legacy. But being a female leader in a male dominant sport, especially in a patriarchal society like Bolanesia, was never going to be easy. The fans are against her, the media are against her, and even her coaches and playing staff are against her.

Abandoned by her coaching and key playing staff, she assembles an unlikely group of players, to battle for the championship title.

Director Mirwan Suwarso comments: “I like the story because it's very much a reminder to persevere and to stay true to one’s self. We have all faced an occasion in which we are told that we are not good enough, that we are too tall, too old, too young or whatever else. Most of us think about giving up and going along with what others tell us to do, but deep down we know we have to persevere and stay true to what we believe in. This is very much what the movie is about.

I think one of the most interesting elements from the production was how enthusiastic everyone was to take on the project. All of the actors have playing experience, so the sport is not just an interest, but a passion for all of them. I owned a professional club here in Indonesia. Costas Mandylor (Mobsters, Picket Fences, SAW IV, Beowulf) was a professional soccer player in Greece, Louis Mandylor (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, CSI Miami) had a stint in Greece and Australia, Jimmy Jean Louis (Tears of the Sun, Monster in Law, tv series Heroes) played in Paris and not to mention Frank Leboeuf, a World Cup winner and European Championship winner with France. Once they received the script they all jumped at the opportunity to join the production.”

Director Mirwan Suwarso concludes: “Soccer fans will be treated to some amazing and very authentic soccer action that is a joy to watch. They will be amazed to see how flowing and real the action is. We employed professional and even national team players to play in the movie, not to mention everything was done under the scrutiny of Frank Leboeuf, a

genuine World Cup winner and legendary player.

Naturally soccer players and fans will be drawn by the story, theme and action. But I think anyone who has been involved in any form of group activity will relate to the story, it caters to the dreamer in all of us.”