Abstract Athletics: 17 Cameras Film Only Zidane

During a football match between Real Madrid and Villareal in 2005, Zinédine Zidane (yes, the head butt guy) was filmed by 17 cameras non-stop throughout the match – “registering his every step, movement and facial expression; how he enthusiastically throws himself into the game, but also how he at times gazes distractedly around, tests the grass on the pitch with his boots, or repeatedly adjusts his socks.”

Taking an artistic crack at documenting athletics, filmmakers Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno’s “Zidane – A 21st Century Portrait” is a 90 minute long film that will be showing at Magasin 3 in Stockholm from the beginning of November until the middle of December. You can also catch it in NYC for a limited time at BAM in Brooklyn or the Anthology Film Archives (check here for showtimes).

The film even has an original soundtrack made specially by the Scottish rock band Mogwai.

And, if this film strikes your fancy, be sure to check out Tokyo Olympiad (1965).

Zidane – A 21st Century Portrait

[via e-flux]