Documenting the entwined lives of soccer hero Andrés Escobar and notorious drug baron Pablo Escobar (no relation), this film uncovers Colombian soccer’s Faustian pact with the drug trade.
A fast-paced high-kicking look at the golden age of narco-soccer in Colombia.
Screened as part of NZIFF 2010
The Two Escobars 2010
The two Escobars, upstanding soccer hero Andrés and notorious drug baron Pablo, were not related by blood, but as Jeff and Michael Zimbalist’s lively documentary shows their fates were helplessly entwined thanks to Colombian soccer’s Faustian pact with the drug trade. The charismatic Pablo quickly rose to power by ruthlessly eliminating his enemies. As his influence and wealth grew, so did his involvement in soccer. With mountains of laundered drug money being invested in the sport, the Colombian soccer team, led by Andrés, embarked on a golden run of success towards the 1994 World Cup. The Zimbalists have cajoled a treasure trove of archival material and offer compelling insight from Pablo’s inner circle and Andrés’ teammates to tell their sensational story, which culminates in one of the World Cup’s most infamous games. — MM.
“A chilling cautionary tale about what can happen when success becomes a drug. As with any addiction, once you’re hooked, the only thing that matters is maintaining the high at any cost.” — Matt Singer, IFC