This is Not a Ball

This is Not a Ball is a profound and thought-provoking documentary-styled film that first hit the screens in 2014. It hosts an ensemble cast including Vik Muniz, Edith Ackerman, and Marcelo Coelho, offering an awe-inspiring experience to the audience.

The film is directed by Academy Award-nominated artist and photographer Vik Muniz, known for his work of turning everyday objects into transcendent works of art. He co-directs the movie alongside Juan Rendón. This is Not a Ball showcases Muniz's captivating journey as he explores the universal love for soccer and ventures into an in-depth understanding of the sport's global power.

The film commences with Vik Muniz who, despite having limited personal interest in the game, is intrigued by the world's obsession with it. He wonders about this profound interconnectedness between human beings and this sphere, particularly the soccer ball, which he refers to as the 'atomic particle' of soccer. This curiosity leads Muniz on a quest where he collaborates with a diverse group of individuals, including scientists, philosophers, craftsmen, and artists to study the ball in the perspective of physics, history, design, production and even profound philosophical questions about the global social impact of soccer.

Edith Ackerman, a developmental psychologist who explores learning in various contexts, and Marcelo Coelho, a designer and research affiliate at MIT Media Lab, are two crucial personalities that Muniz encounters in this journey. Both contribute to the enrichment of the knowledge pool in this enthralling and anecdotally rich exploration.

Travelling across nine countries, the movie comprises spectacular scenes from around the world of people’s connection with the ball, be it in the bustling streets of Brazil, the calm beaches of California, the visually arresting landfills of Mexico, or the grand Azteca Stadium. The cinematography adopts a holistic approach, capturing the essence of cultures, geographical landscapes, and situations - making it a visual treat for the viewers.

The environmental undertones of the film become evident when the filmmakers highlight the massive amounts of waste materials produced by the manufacturing of soccer balls. This ultimately leads the artistic director Muniz to create an incredibly large-scale artwork to call attention to this issue.

While being rooted in the artistic antics of Muniz, This is Not a Ball isn't just a platform for showcasing his craft. Instead, it opens up an intriguing conversation about the symbolism of the ball and its psychological and social impacts on humanity. The film, at the same time, unfolds into a remarkable exploration of the world's most popular sport, making it a must-watch for soccer enthusiasts who wish to broaden their understanding of the game.

This is Not a Ball does more than just explore the cultural, economic, and sociological impact of soccer on a global scale. The film delves into what the ball has represented throughout history, and how it has acted as a source of unity transcending cultural, political, and geographical divides. The film manages to draw complex connections between different thematic aspects in a way that is easy to digest, offering both information and entertainment for its viewers.

The film's artistry, intellectual exploration, and careful execution make it a compelling watch, regardless of whether the viewer is a soccer fan or not. By revealing the many facets of how a simple ball can unite the world, This is Not a Ball elevates the discussion, making it distinct and unique from other sports documentaries.

This is Not a Ball stands as a testament to the power of curiosity and the open-minded investigation of the world around us. It is a perfect blend of art, science, philosophy, and sport that upholds the relevance and importance of being aware and connected with the larger world around us. The film is an engaging, reflective, and ultimately enlightening exploration of global human connection that speaks to viewers with a universal language of play and human sprit.