Playmaker, the first in a trilogy of films under the Soccer Season banner, is now streaming on Netflix.
Directed by Stephina Zwane (“Homewrecker” (2023), “Baby Mamas” (2018)), the film is adapted from the Soccer Season trilogy of novels from local publisher Cover2Cover. Adze Ugah (“Shaka iLembe” (2023), “Pride of a Lioness” (2022)) serves as series director while Aimee Dherman of Azania Productions (“Blessers” (2019), “Mr Johnson” (2020)) serves as producer.
Set against the backdrop of the competitive world of youth soccer, Playmaker follows the journey of Lunga, a young soccer player determined to play for the Soweto Kickers Soccer Club. However, his dreams are dashed when he is selected for the D team. He knows that his father will regard this as an utter failure, especially since there are also girls on the team. When bullies from other teams try to keep Lunga off the field, Lunga looks to his father for help, but will his father be willing to intervene?
The Soccer Season novels immediately appealed to the filmmakers because they offered a way to portray South African youth in a way that is rarely seen on TV. “I feel it is important to make content for our youth and to have representation, “ says Aimee Dherman. “Film allows one to tackle issues in relatable and entertaining ways,” says Aimee Dherman.
Bahle Hadebe (“King Shaka” (2023)), lights up the screen as the troubled young soccer player, Lunga, dealing with his own teenage anxieties while trying to win his father’s approval. Rounding out the cast are Desmond Dube (“Savage Beauty” (2024), “How to Ruin Christmas” (2020)), Makgano Mamabolo (“Zulu Wedding” (2017), “Diamond City” (2018)), Buhle Dube (The Dube Brothers), Genoveva Umeh (“Shuga” (2023), “Blood Sisters” (2024)), and Joey Rasdien (“The Umbrella Men: Escape From Robben Island” (2023), “New Material” (2020)).
Playmaker is distributed in South Africa by Indigenous Film Distribution.
