A new documentary, soon to be released, tells the story of football as a powerful player in relations between Australia and Korea.
Told in two parts, the documentary focuses on three of the best players in the Korean Soccer Association Australia (KSAA) as they travel to South Korea to represent Australia–wearing green and gold jerseys–at the 95th South Korean National Sports Festival.
Two of the Australian Koreans in the documentary were born here and one arrived in his teens. While their different perspectives may initially seem to collide, the three end up strongly united through football, carrying other players from both countries along the way.
The documentary was funded by the Australia–Korean Foundation (AKF), established in 1992 by the Australian Government to support bilateral relations between the two countries. It focuses on the players' lifestyles in Australia, their passion for football, and the drama and lead-up to the matches played at major events, including World Cup Brazil 2014 and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2015.
The final of the AFC Asian Cup 2015 was held between Australia and Korea. In a match of high drama, Australia scored a goal in extra time to win 2 to 1.
The KSAA has 800 players across 50 teams in four leagues across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra. Steven Chang, Vice President of the Korean Soccer Association Australia (KSAA), says there is no doubt the documentary will increase awareness of Australia in Korea and of Korea in Australia.
'Sports is a common language for people of all cultures,' says Chang. 'It has no barriers. Football gives people from different countries a common interest and ability to learn from one another. They gain knowledge and build trust around the sport.'
Chang has first-hand experience in how sports can build relationships. When he came to Australia from Korea, Chang was only 15 years of age and didn't speak a great deal of English. Life was challenging, but Chang quickly established long-lasting friendships–on the soccer field.
Footage for the documentary was captured over five months in several locations in Australia and Korea, including at the Opening Ceremony of the South Korean National Sports Festival, which was broadcast to 17 million viewers. The film crew was overwhelmed with the stories told and the rich content captured that producers decided to expand the documentary into two, 30-minute parts.
Patrick Skene, from Red Elephant Projects, which initiated the idea of the documentary and helped support its production, says football truly is a global game. 'Since 1965, Korea and Australia have had a remarkably equal relationship with the game of football,' says Skene. 'It's a strong relationship, as reflected by the latest two chapters which both attracted massive crowds, the South Korean National Sports Festival and the AFC Asian Cup 2015.'
In 2015, the football relationship between the two countries turned 50 years old. South Korea and the Socceroos have played each other 29 times, with Australia winning 11 matches, South Korea seven and 11 draws.
The number of Koreans born in Australia is significant and the documentary showcases how football can be powerful with cross-cultural promotion. It shows Australian Koreans, wearing Australian green and gold colours, representing Australia in the National Sports Festival in Korea. 'It's powerful indentity building stuff,' says Chang.
The documentary project is supported by KSAA, AKF, Mickle Productions, Red Elephant Projects and the Local Organising Committee of the AFC Asian Cup 2015. It will reach a large, public audience and be widely broadcast, including in Korea through KBS, KBS World, SBS and/or Fox Sports.
The AKF is led by a group of influential members from the business, academic, cultural and media sectors of Australia and Korea to identify new directions and areas of cooperation in the relationship between the two countries.
Links
http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/
