To be certain, there are few early 21st century social challenges as
daunting as living as an Arab in the predominantly Jewish nation of
Israel. But such is the situation that around 1.4 million Israeli
citizens of Arabic ethnic origin are facing -- continually struggling to
maintain their cultural identities despite pressure to conform or blend
in. One area in which cultural assertion continues to take place is on
the soccer field; Israelis are overwhelmingly passionate about the game,
and it's a noteworthy fact that an Arabic league called Bnei Sakhnin
(also known as the Sons of Sakhnin United) won the prestigious Israeli
Cup in 2004. This victory -- even more than the existence of the team
per se -- soon came to represent a potential bridge of peace between
Hebrew and Palestinian cultures. As directed by
Christopher Browne, the documentary
After the Cup: Sons of Sakhnin United
observes the Sakhnin team in the season immediately following the
pivotal win, amid the realization that this season may be their final
one in the public spotlight. Yet the team hardly goes through the season
without obstacles: they must grapple with a dearth of funding, vast
inexperience, conflict building between the coach and star player, and
the sudden onslaught of pressure to transcend overwhelming public
expectations.
Browne observes the team and its members on the most intimate of levels and spares no detail or insight.
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