Team Spirit

Martin, coach of the French team of mentally impaired basketball players, is in dire straits: while he’s preparing for the Paralympic Games, his best players drop out. Refusing to lose the grant that is vital to his federation, he decides to cheat in order to compete, at any cost. He completes the team with players who are not disabled, including Stan and Pippo, two thirtysomethings at loose ends. Even Julia, the federation psychologist, fails to notice the deception. But as he flies to Sydney, Martin hasn’t realized yet what explosive mixture he just created. (Locarno Festival)