Netflix debuts 'The Beautiful Game' based on the Homeless World Cup

The 21-year-old tournament unites homeless individuals from over 80 nations through the universal language of the beautiful game. Far from being merely a sporting spectacle, this week-long competition offers participants a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country and become part of a global community of players who have faced homelessness and social exclusion. And for those attending or watching the tournament, being among the remarkable participants often changes their perceptions and attitudes on those experiencing homelessness.

“I hope people enjoy the movie because, with homelessness there are horrors and it’s easy to feel hopeless, depressed and impotent to doing anything about it. This movie is not like that,” said Homeless World Cup president and co-founder, Mel Young. “It destroys the stereotypical view of homelessness and shows they are human beings like all of us - they’re tall, small, good, bad, male, female.”

The film stars acclaimed actor Bill Nighy as Mal, manager of England's homeless football team, who travels to Rome with talented striker Vinny (Michael Ward) and team to compete in the tournament. Young played a prominent role in the film’s development, while screenwriter Frank Cotrell-Boyce worked closely with the Homeless World Cup Foundation and past participants to develop the characters and plot. Actor Colin Farrell, who co-produced the film, is an ambassador for the Scotland-based foundation.