If he doesn't win, I can't put on camera what the flag is going to say.

December 20, 2024 12:30 AM

Once in a Lifetime: Argentina is a four-part documentary look at fan culture in Argentina in the lead up to the country's World Cup win in Qatar. It's the latest work by Eli Mengem who has done stellar previous work in documenting football culture with his Derby Days series. If the 2+ hours for Once in a Lifetime: Argentina is too big an ask, maybe have a gander at the Derby Days episode on the Superclásico (55 mins).

Bonus: an interview Tifo Football did with Eli and fellow Copa90/Derby Days team member Martino Simcik

posted by juv3nal (4 comments total)

Look, I know it's kind of a niche topic but Eli's so good at what he does. They don't even have the rights to any of the actual football footage so in that way this is barely about football. It's about national character and what sport can do to lift (or crush) a people's spirits.
posted by juv3nal at 12:42 AM on December 20, 2024

I can't wait to watch this, and share it with a friend! I got to go to BA in July and we went to a Boca women's game and a women's national team friendly. The fan culture was amazing to see!
posted by Snowishberlin at 5:46 AM on December 20, 2024 [1 favorite]

Related, this clip from Matt Damon's appearance on Hot Ones of all things.
posted by juv3nal at 11:19 AM on December 20, 2024

An interview with Eli.
posted by juv3nal at 2:45 AM on January 3