Cœur de Quartier: Film Screening • Ballon Sur Bitume (Concrete Football)

Join us for a screening of the documentary Ballon sur Bitume (Concrete Football), a celebration of street soccer and its cultural importance in the lives of residents of the French banlieues. A panel discussion will follow, during which our guest speakers will address themes including the importance of soccer in contemporary society, how sports impact our identities individually and collectively, and their own personal backgrounds and experiences in the sports world. The focus of the conversation will be on the cultural importance of football in France and around the world, how it brings diverse groups of people together, and the pride of being affiliated with the French team.

Schedule:

6:00pm - Doors open!
6:30pm - Film screening of Ballon sur Bitume (2016, dir. Jesse Adang, Syrine Boulanouar)
Panel Discussion immediately following the film

Panel Members:

1. Pascal Bedrossian, Former professional soccer player in France and in MLS with Chicago Fire for 13 years
2. Robert Rixer, Professional soccer player for Philippines and 2nd tier Australian soccer
3. Steffen Niemann, Documentary filmmaker of the soccer documentary, The White Puma
4. David Zaslavsky, member of the AF Chicago Board of Directors (moderator)