Q & A with kuno becker
It's not often that an idea for a movie about soccer gets green-lighted in Hollywood. When it does happen, it's usually more about kids in the suburbs with quirky dads as coaches, such as the forgettable Kicking & Screaming -- a movie that even the comic genius of Will Farrell couldn't save -- and Ladybugs.
Goal! promises to be a movie for the general audience and not just soccer fans, as it tells the story of Santiago Munez, who makes his way from playing in the streets of Mexico and Los Angeles to actually getting a tryout with Newcastle United in England. It's the typical come-from-nothing tale about an underdog that is usually prevalent in sports movies, whether it's Rocky, Seabiscuit or, most recently, Cinderella Man.
Recently, I caught up with Kuno Becker, the 28-year-old actor who plays Santiago Munez in the film. Despite a jam-packed day filled with dozens of interviews and appearances, Becker hardly seemed rushed as he spoke about a role that was very different than the ones he was used to playing throughout his 10-year career as an actor.
USSoccerPlayers.com: So, not only is Goal! coming out soon, but you have also filmed two other sequels to be released in the coming years? Was this done Lord of the Rings style, where you were together for nearly a year just filming non-stop?
Becker: No, not exactly. We just finished filming the second one in Madrid. And a lot of the third one will be done during the World Cup this summer. We are planning to shoot 30 to 40 percent of it in Germany. That's the thing with this film, we shot it in real stadiums with real players.
USSoccerPlayers.com: There are appearances by many of the biggest names in the sport. There's Zinedane Zidane, David Beckham, Raul and a bunch of others that soccer fans will recognize. What was working with these world-famous athletes like for you?
Becker: It was a lot of fun. You had a bunch of soccer players out there who preferred to act, and then a lot of us actors who just wanted to play soccer. It's always interesting how that works. Having all of those players really gave a great sense of realism to the film. Most of the time, you see doubles for the actors in other movies. But instead of doubles, we had super-famous soccer players playing themselves.
USSoccerPlayers.com: Which players seemed to get the acting part of the deal down the best?
Becker: For the most part, they all seemed comfortable. They spend so much time in front of the camera, and they're used to filming various ads for their sponsors. Overall, though, Beckham seemed to have the easiest time. He was really good, actually, as he's just a charming guy. He played himself. And being him can't be easy with all the paparazzi he has to constantly deal with in his life.
USSoccerPlayers.com: You grew up in Mexico, so one would assume that the sport is in your blood. What was your background with the game before making this film?
Becker: I liked soccer, but I didn't grow up wanting to be a soccer star or anything. I played it as a kid like everyone else. To get ready to play the part of Santiago, I really had to train hard. We'd train three or four hours a day. That's one of the reasons I liked the part, because I knew how challenging it would be for me. Plus, I loved the script. It's not just about soccer. It's about overcoming the odds and following your dreams and themes that everyone can relate to.
USSoccerPlayers.com: That what made Bend It Like Beckham such a hit.
Becker: Exactly.
USSoccerPlayers.com: What was the hardest thing for your while training -- finding your touch or the physical part of it?
Becker: It was hard. I ended up with stress fractures in both ankles and I got my nose broken. So, without a doubt, the physical part of it all was the toughest thing for me.
USSoccerPlayers.com: Who assisted you during these sessions?
Becker: My head coach as Andy Ansah, who was a former English professional. Every single day, Andy and I would either be on the field or in the gym together. I also had a teacher, Doug Wallace, who helped me a lot.
When I broke my ankle, there was a point where we really didn't know if I'd be able to make it or not.
USSoccerPlayers.com: During this time and throughout the entire filming of the movie, did you become more of a soccer fan in the process?
Becker: Yeah, 100 percent. I respect the game a lot more. It's just so technical and it takes many, many years to develop your skills. It's also a sport about dreams, as kids all over the world grow up playing and hoping that they be a professional one day. People will be able to relate to my character in the movie because of that. He has to fight against the most difficult of circumstances for his dream.
USSoccerPlayers.com: Now that you've done this role, do you think you'll stay in the sports movie genre? It seems like that always happens to actors, whether it is Kevin Costner, Dennis Quaid or even Keanu Reeves.
Becker: I just always try to play characters that are different. If it happens that one of my next roles is in a sports movie, then it means that they would have enjoyed me in this film. I've always wanted to be in important movies, so hopefully Goal! is a big success.
USSoccerPlayers.com: And finally, what will this next week be like for you?
Becker: It's going to be really exciting. We are going to be at the Tribeca Film Festival since we're part of that. On May 11 we'll be in Los Angeles for the big premier, and then the next day it opens everywhere. I can't wait.
