A short film, Wonderkid, about a young footballer coming to terms with his sexuality and searching for acceptance, in a homophobic environment.
Scenes from the recent Champions League match between Bayern Munich and Arsenal flew in the face of current media exposure for gay footballers. Thomas Hitzlsperger’s recent decision to come out publicly coupled with the coverage of Robbie Rogers of LA Galaxy seemed to be bringing the issue back to the forefront of public minds. Interviews and articles from the BBC had seemed to be pushing public opinion in the right direction of understanding and acceptance, but this was yet another step back into the ignorant abyss.
Rhys: “I think a lot of people have cottoned on to this problem and there are things being done about it. But when we came up with this and started writing it we didn’t really know anything.”
A banner with the words “Gay Gunners” was unfurled in an attempt to ridicule Arsenal player Mesut Özil. The latest in a long line of unashamed homophobic displays at football grounds directed at the players, this is redolent of the crowd mentality where being a perceived anonymous face in the crowd means a complete dissipation of responsibility, accountability, morals, common sense and human nature.
Rhys: “Statistically, there are 5000 professional footballers in this country and I think 1% of the population is gay, although I would imagine it is a lot higher than that. So there will be gay professional footballers out there but the fact that they feel that they can’t openly lead that life must have a devastating effect on a person’s psychology.”
Some fans are using the image of homosexuality in an attempt to shame and humiliate players by association. In fact, when Ashley Cole was linked to rumours circulating in March that he was the Premier League player close to coming out, he was quick to distance himself from any allegations. “I only do chicks” a re-affirmation of his masculinity in the face of being labelled as some perceived effeminate ‘nancy-boy’is almost laughable in its archetypal Alpha- maleness.
Ignorance is rife, and there is clearly a lack of education and human compassion, which needs to be addressed. Would it be sensationalist to imagine, as at Old Trafford with the “Wrong One – Moyes out” fiasco, fly-bys with banners singling-out players for abuse? I sincerely hope so. As disgusting as it sounds, bitterness and anger can drive people to alarming lengths.
Wonderkid is a project that is aiming to tackle these deficiencies head on. A collaboration between two friends, this short film aims to bring more awareness to a wider audience about the effects of homophobia but also about the state of English football.
Rhys: “The idea initially was to make a film about an isolated, lonely footballer and deal with problems such as addiction inspired from what I have seen from players like Paul Gascoigne. But I thought, ‘wasn’t there a gay footballer in the 80s?’ and then I did some research and realised how horrible the situation is. I decided it would be a really good way to build on the narrative I already had and also show people that it’s not fair. The fact that no one was even talking about it was shameful really.”
This is a film with greater aspirations with regards to the themes it explores. It looks at other externalities that influence the psyche of young men thrown into alien and often hostile surroundings. Alcohol abuse is a well-trodden and well-documented affliction of several of England’s finest players. Ritual and routine are integral to many players who consider them to bring good luck and success on the pitch.
Terence: “He is gay in a place that really doesn’t condone it and he could have OCD. He is also a massive booze drinker.”
Rhys: “There is something unnatural about kicking a football a thousand times a day for 20 years of your life. So there is this cognitive processing that comes through this that makes footballers like routine. There are so many things that they can’t control on the pitch, the things in their lives they can control they become obsessed with. Major trauma in your life is another big cause of OCD. So if you were denied feelings of love and appreciation that come from a loving relationship then it’s only going to add to this”
It follows an un-named football prodigy who has recently transferred to a much bigger club, away from his native Birmingham. Being at such a young age he finds it difficult to settle in this new town and although he is accompanied by his closest friend and agent Johnny, pressure to succeed and to be accepted forces him to question his identity.
Terence: “Yeah, in a way, well you write about stuff that you know. So at one stage of my life I moved from Birmingham to Cambridge and I felt quite alienated so you can draw on those kinds of things.”
Rhys: “And the difficulty with their friendship is his sexuality, rather than them not liking each other. It’s the stigmatism towards being gay.”
At the heart of this project is the desire to change people’s minds about what is and what is not acceptable behavior towards fellow human beings. It is about the basic right for humans to be in the loving relationships that they choose to be in regardless of gender, race, creed or anything else. Most importantly it is a story we can all relate to.
Terence: “At some point in people’s lives they will have felt like they are isolated and alone. It’s about Wonderkid dealing with that and how he’s denying himself his true feelings and his instincts.”
Wonderkid is well under way, the project has recently received backing from the Kevin Spacey Foundation and a team of producers are currently busy working towards a Kickstarter campaign.
Rhys: “From meeting people and feeling their pain I feel like I have a huge responsibility with this film now. I’ve also got big plans to run something along side this to do more to tackle the issue, but that’s all I will say for now.”
Words by Thomas Pink, Executive Producer. WONDERKID
Written by Terence Corless & Rhys Chapman.
www.wonderkidfilm.co.uk
www.facebook.com/wonderkidfilm
www.twitter.com/wonderkidfilm
