The initial preview is out now for Steve Coogan’s upcoming film, titled “Saipan“, which is inspired by one of football’s most contentious episodes that occurred during the early 2000s.
2002 found me, a devoted soccer fan, nestled on the Northern Mariana Island’s capital, Saipan, as part of the Republic of Ireland team’s preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Japan.
Longtime team captain Roy Keane (Éanna Hardwick) and manager Mick McCarthy (Coogan) have had a history of friction, culminating in a heated argument famously known as a “notorious clash.
In the trailer, there are brief glimpses of them engaging in confrontations, but the majority consists of mostly static scenes, such as Keane being seated on a throne-like wicker chair.
Over these pictures, multiple voices offer contrasting viewpoints about who seems justified. As the trailer progresses, these voices merge and grow louder, reflecting the quicker edits that highlight the escalating tension.
The fierce competition between these two individuals extended beyond the game itself, capturing the hearts of a whole nation and the global sports community.
At first glance, the conflict seemed to revolve around differing standards, but at its core, it was a deeply emotional tale of two individuals whose competition and animosity grew beyond their shared passion for sports. This book offers an unparalleled exploration into one of the most contentious rifts in sports history.
In addition to Coogan and Hardwick, the film boasts the talents of Alice Lowe from Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, Jamie Beamish known for Derry Girls, Alex Murphy hailing from The Young Offenders, Harriet Cains who graced Bridgerton, and Peter McDonald from This Town.
Saipan is set release in UK and Irish cinemas soon.
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2025-06-23 18:48