The behind the scenes of football are on the rise. Indeed, a few weeks ago, Jamel Debbouze endowed the costume of an agent on the decline in “Mercato”. From now on, it is Sofian Khammes’ turn to blend into the skin of one of these shadow men responsible for negotiating a contract for his cousin, about to sign professional in Lyon … before the arrival of a mysterious intermediary comes to rebut the cards. The beginning of a slow disillusionment, where dreams collapsed one after the other.
Humble staging
Particularity of the proposal: director Camille Perton shows neither matches nor training, but paints the portrait of those who revolve in the middle of the round ball. By a humble staging, far from the bling-bling usually associated with football, she explores the anteroom of the professional world. A bias that allows him to deviate from clichés, to explore a gray area where innocence comes up against cynicism.
Revealed in “Chouf” by Karim Dridi where he embodied a Lyonnais student back in the city of his childhood, Sofian Khams delivers an authentic performance, fed by his link with football. “I haven’t missed a single OM game. When I was little, I was even subscribed to the ultras, “he says, before praising the realistic approach to the film. “In the background,” The arenas “evokes certain drifts, as when a young recruit is sent immediately to the other end of Europe in an academy to continue its training, without having been consulted before …” a bitter but lucid observation.
“When we come from below, it’s like playing monopoly”
Persuasive intermediary
This sensitivity aligns with its fight against stereotypes which has always guided its artistic choices. “I have always wanted to avoid clichés. If I had said from the start that I was Marseille, I would have attracted prejudices and I was only entrusted with the roles of southern guys or scum, “he deplores, refusing the labels.
By his side, we also retain the performances of Iliès Kadri, impeccable as a young star attached to his roots, and Edgar Ramírez. With his natural authority, the actor of “Carlos” embodies this intermediary, using persuasion while leaving a disorder on his attraction to the young champion, whose future could be much darker than hoped.
The theme of class defector, dear to Sofian Khams, resonates in the film. A central point that he argues by taking as an example a famous board game: “When we come from below, it is as if we played Monopoly in front of opponents who have twice as much money at the beginning and also have streets of the same colors. We can go back, but inevitably, it is more difficult, ”he illustrates, pointing systemic obstacles. So many themes addressed within this film which, like Francis Cabrel in his “bullfight”, constantly wonders if, basically, this world is serious.
Cédric Coppola
“The arenas”, by Camille Perton. With Sofian Khams, Iliès Kadri, Édgar Ramírez. Duration: 1h34. In theaters this Wednesday, May 7.
