Jeff and Michael Zimbalist’s documentary The Two Escobars brings us a tale of a nation gripped by crime, drugs and a passion for soccer. At the time (circa 1994), Colombia was seen as one of the world’s most reviled narco-states and one of the world’s best soccer nations, at one point ranked 4th in the FIFA rankings. During this period, many Colombians were hoping that victory at the 1994 World Cup would help rebuild the country’s tattered image. Unfortunately, that dream was never realized. Colombia’s hopes came crashing down with one errant kick during the World Cup by Andres Escobar, one of the team’s star players. Escobar’s subsequent murder was a cold reminder of how the violent drug trade controlled everything within the country, including soccer.
The Two Escobars walks you through an era in Colombia when drug money flowed through virtually everything in public life, a period during which soccer enjoyed both a meteoric rise and a cataclysmic fall. Mesmerizing stuff, really.
If you haven’t already seen The Two Escobars at a film festival near you, make sure to catch this fascinating documentary so that you have something interesting to say about the relationship between cartels and the local and national teams in Colombia when the conversation comes up at work. It’ll make you a more well-rounded person.
The Two Escobars will air on Saturday, July 17 at 12 PM on ESPN2.
Oh, what was that? An exclusive interview with the directors? And you want to see a preview of the action? Well, you’re in luck. Head over to Telegraph 21 to check out the film preview and for an exclusive interview with Jeff and Michael Zimbalist. You’re welcome. And thank Telegraph 21 too. They’re special.
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Check out a preview for this film and our exclusive interview with Director Michael Zimbalist at http://www.telegraph21.com/video/the-two-escobars.