Documentary movie titled "The Last Taboo" - Soccer professionals and homosexuality.
Outstanding filmmaker Manfred Oldenburg, known for his movies "Kroos" and "The Miracle of Bern," has chosen an intriguing subject for his next film, "The Last Taboo," set to release in 2024. There were already coming-out stories in professional football available on Prime Video by the first half of the year. Before the EM commenced, ZDF screened this documentary in primetime on June 11, at 8:15 pm.
From Dark Taboo Breach to Icon of Coming Out in Football
In modern society, homosexuality typically isn't a big deal. However, it seems outdated how it's handled in professional football. The film's accompanying text states that from an estimated 500,000 active male football players world-wide, merely ten are openly gay. In "The Last Taboo," some of these freethinking individuals are interviewed. Former player Thomas Hitzlsperger (age 42) shares his story once more. In a momentous 2014 interview with "Zeit," he unveiled his sexuality openly and subsequently became a symbol of coming out in Germany.
"The Last Taboo" also narrates the story of British football professional Justin Fashanu (born in 1961), who publicly announced his homosexuality in the British tabloid "The Sun" while still playing in 1990. This feat made him the first to break the taboo. Regrettably, Fashanu's story ended tragically: he committed suicide. In the documentary, his niece Amal Fashanu recalls the heart-wrenching tale. She had also witnessed his posthumous induction into the English Football Hall of Fame in Manchester's national football museum in 2020.
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Real Beams of Hope
Though Fashanu's story isn't an overly positive one, Marcus Urban (age 53), a former DDR-youth league player, provides a slightly less depressing example. After coming out, Urban's dream of reaching the Bundesliga was dashed. The documentary highlights that both experts and insiders in the international football scene confirm the undeniable pressure in professional sports and the reluctance of football associations to actively address this issue.
Nonetheless, director and screenwriter Manfred Oldenburg also presents instances that inspire hope. US pro Collin Martin (age 29) and British coach Matt Morton live as gay football stars almost as if they were regular individuals.
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The documentary film "The Last Taboo" focuses on homosexuality in the world of professional soccer, with Manfred Oldenburg set to release it in 2024. Interestingly, General German Broadcasting (ZDF) screened an early version of the film before the European Championship in 2024. The film features interviews with several openly gay soccer players, including former German professional Thomas Hitzlsperger, who came out in a 2014 interview with "Zeit" and became a symbol of coming out in German football.
The film also touches upon the life and tragic suicide of British football professional Justin Fashanu, who was the first to publicly announce his homosexuality in a British tabloid while still playing in 1990. Fashanu's story is tragically depicted in the documentary, which includes an interview with his niece, Amal Fashanu, who attended his posthumous induction into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
Despite the tragic endings, the film offers hopeful stories as well. Former DDR-youth league player Marcus Urban shares his experience of coming out and facing the subsequent pressure in professional sports. However, the film highlights the stories of US pro Collin Martin and British coach Matt Morton, who live as openly gay football stars without much notice.
The film is a poignant exploration of the ongoing taboo surrounding homosexuality in professional soccer and the stories of those who have bravely come out in the face of adversity. The film can be watched on ZDF and is also available on Prime Video for those interested in learning more about this important issue.
