{"id":23633,"date":"2025-05-16T15:30:09","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T13:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=23633"},"modified":"2025-05-16T15:30:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T13:30:11","slug":"host-of-local-talent-shine-in-exciting-new-soccer-themed-feature-film-playmaker-now-streaming-on-netflix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2025\/05\/16\/host-of-local-talent-shine-in-exciting-new-soccer-themed-feature-film-playmaker-now-streaming-on-netflix\/","title":{"rendered":"Host Of Local Talent Shine In Exciting New Soccer-Themed Feature Film, “Playmaker”, Now Streaming On Netflix"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Playmaker<\/a>, the first in a trilogy of films under the Soccer Season banner, is now streaming on Netflix.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Directed by Stephina Zwane (\u201cHomewrecker\u201d (2023), \u201cBaby Mamas\u201d (2018)), the film is adapted from the Soccer Season<\/em> trilogy of novels from local publisher Cover2Cover.  Adze Ugah (\u201cShaka iLembe\u201d (2023), \u201cPride of a Lioness\u201d (2022)) serves as series director while Aimee Dherman of Azania Productions (\u201cBlessers\u201d (2019), \u201cMr Johnson\u201d (2020)) serves as producer.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Bahle Hadebe and Desmond Dube in Playmaker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. \u00a0\u201cI feel it is important to make content for our youth and to have representation, \u201c says Aimee Dherman. \u201cFilm allows one to tackle issues in relatable and entertaining ways,\u201d says Aimee Dherman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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