Thomas N’Kono: "Our job is to make people happy"
Thomas N’Kono: "Our job is to make people happy"
‘Green Lions’, a documentary produced by DAZN, paying tribute to the Cameroon side which took the 1990 World Cup by storm saw out Day 2 of Thinking Football
The second day of the Thinking Football film festival saw another double session at Bilbao's Sala BBK. The main event was the screening of DAZN-produced documentary 'Green Lions'.
The film retraces Cameroon's achievements at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where they reached the quarter-finals and defeated Maradona's Argentina in the opening match.
Among the heroes of that team were unforgettable figures such as Roger Milla and Thomas N'Kono, our star guest for the second day of Thinking Football. The former Espanyol shotstopper recalled the main moments of that World Cup, from the opening surprise to losing against England in extra-time in the quarter-finals.
"We were pioneers of African football and our job was to make people happy,' said N'Kono, recalling what their success at Italia 90 meant for Africa and the world. The film perfectly shows the passionate support Cameroon inspired among neutral, while the backing they received in their country was truly spectacular.
The keeper took part in the post-screening Q&A along with Billy Dosanjh, the film's director, Yaw Basoah, the producer, and football journalist Filippo Ricci.
Many familiar faces were present, with Jose Angel Iribar, Mikel Vesga, Gorka Iraizoz and Carlos Meléndez coming to watch the film.
In the first evening session, with the Sala BBK equally full of people, the festival has premiered a new section called 'Thinking Football Jewels'. The film chosen to inaugurate this section is a classic football film: 'I Believe in Miracles', directed by Jonny Owen. A film that masterfully recreates the miraculous sporting success of Nottingham Forest, directed by Brian Clough.
For the first session we had our new section entitled 'Thinking Football Revisited'. The film chosen for this first edition was Johnny Owen's 'I Believe in Miracles', a documentary about Nottingham Forest' glory days under Brian Clough.
Wednesday, ‘Liam Brady: The Irishman Abroad’ & ‘Another way: The Forest Green Rovers Story’
At 18:00, we'll be showing 'Another Way: The Forest Green Rovers Story'. Directed by Bart Corpe, the documentary delves into the work done by Forest Green Rovers, the world's greenest football club. Tickets are free and must be booked online HERE.
In the 20:00 session, the Irish film 'Liam Brady: The Irishman Abroad', we'll be screening a biopic about one of the greatest talents in the history of Irish football and the first to succeed in Europe. The former Irish international who turned out for Arsenal, Juventus, Sampdoria and Inter, among others, will take part in the post-film discussion with director Sean Casey and journalist. Admission is free, but must be reserved online HERE.