Taika Waititi’s latest film,Next Goal Wins, is a heartwarming tale of theworld’s worst soccer teamovercoming adversity and ignominy to get even the smallest of victories, which means everything to them. To mark the release of the film on Digital, Collider is delighted to be partnering with Searchlight Pictures to bring our readers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the film, with a short featurette based aroundJaiyah Saelua(played in the film byKaimana).
The clip, entitled “Importance of the Character,” includes Waititi giving a brief introduction to the character ofJaiyah, the heartbeat of the team, as well as a brief mention of her status as afa’afafinewhich translates to “the manner of woman,” and is a third-gender culture native to Samoa.Described as a “national icon” of American Samoa, the cast is glowing in their praise of both Jaiyah and Kaimana, for her performance. Kaimana also explains how she was cast in the role.Collider’sRoss Bonaimeloved Kaimana’s performance as Jaiyah, praising her performance in the film. In his review, he wrote:
“The beating heart, however, ofNext Goal WinsisKaimanaasJaiyah Saelua, a transgender woman who is also one of the most promising players and the biggest help to Rongen. While the rest of the team are mostly known for some one-note joke or gag about their playing (one player can’t quit sliding and another is known as football’sD’Angelobecause of his ripped body), Jaiyah gets a well-rounded arc and is one of the few players who stands out among the team.”
Who Is Jaiyah Saelua?
Saelua is most recognized for being the first transgender player to compete in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. This achievement has made her a significant figure in the world of sports, particularly in discussions surrounding inclusivity and diversity in athletics. And she has been an influential advocate for transgender and LGBTQ+ rights, especially in the realm of sports. Her participation in international football, particularly in acontext as prominent as a FIFA World Cup qualifier, has been seen as a milestone in the representation of transgender athletes in high-level competitive sports. Her journey has been inspirational for many, demonstrating resilience and challenging traditional norms in sports.
Next Goal Winslaunches on digital on January 16 and will be available to purchase on Blu-ray and DVD from February 27. Check out the exclusive clip from the home release above.
Next Goal Wins
The story of the infamously terrible American Samoa soccer team, known for a brutal 2001 FIFA match they lost 31-0. Coach Thomas Rongen is tasked with training the infamous squad in order to earn them a place in the upcoming 2014 World Cup.
