Brazil 2002: The Real Story

Luis Ara's 2022 documentary is about the Brazil team that won a fifth World Cup in 2002. Its starting point is that the squad was not trusted at home when the tournament began: they had scraped through qualification, changed coach and been heavily criticised in the press. Ronaldo's return from injury is at the centre, with the process of a footballer coming back after two years out described in detail. Interviews with the players and previously unseen footage from the camp are the main material. The account does mention the hierarchy and frictions inside the team, but the tone is celebratory and keeps no critical distance. Who it's for: viewers who like football documentaries and Brazilian football. Who it's not for: anyone expecting a critical study of the sport; this is largely commemorative.