As the World Cup approaches its July 9 finals, Sundance Channel presents 'Goal Dreams,' the tale of the National Palestinian men's soccer team's quest to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. Co-directed and –produced by Maya Sanbar and Jeffrey Saunders, the film shows that the men's efforts are about more than athletic glory—they become an exercise in political identity. 'Goal Dreams' premiered on the Israeli Security Fence in the Palestinian territories during the World Cup and will be screened at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on July 6 at 6:50 pm. The film will have its U.S. television premiere on Sundance Channel on Saturday, July 8 at 10:00pm e/p; Sundance Channel's soccer-themed programming continues with 'The Other Final' at 11:30pm e/p.
'Goal Dreams' presents a unique perspective on the contemporary Palestinian territories as it follows four football players embarking on a personal journey that eventually transcends the rigidly drawn lines and boundaries of playing fields and national maps. Through the universal language of football, the players of Palestinian origin from around the world are learning to forge a common identity, as a nation learns the hope and tragedy that lay within dreams. The feature-length documentary shows why this team is like no other—comprised of multiple cultures, speaking different languages, and having no home field, the Palestinian national soccer team and its players must overcome obstacles of physical, emotional, cultural, and geographic nature just to exist. The film's website address is www.goaldreams.com.
