Zidane film joins beautiful game exhibition

An image of Zidane from the film Image source, Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Image caption,

The film is being screened at the gallery from Saturday

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An art gallery is set to start screening a film about celebrated footballer Zinedine Zidane as part of its football exhibition.

"Zidane, a 21st century portrait" will be shown at Wolverhampton Art Gallery for free from Saturday 29 June to 20 October, with pre-booking advised.

It follows the French star in real time over the course of a single match in 2005. Using footage shot by 17 synchronised cameras, it focuses on his playing style, the gallery said.

It opens alongside the Football: Designing the Beautiful Game which showcases items from some of the greatest players, including Pelé and Lionel Messi alongside memorabilia from the region's clubs.

Image source, Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Image caption,

Zidane, a 21st Century Portrait follows the French star during one match between his club Real Madrid and Villarreal in April 2005

The Zidane film, by artists Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno, captures the star from multiple angles, remaining fixed on him when action moves elsewhere.

"Zidane transforms the ordinary experience of a football match into a powerful and theatrical portrait of a celebrated sportsman and a compelling study of the human mind and body under extreme pressure," the gallery said.

Image source, Stacey Barnfield
Image caption,

England shirts through the ages are on display in Wolverhampton as part of the exhibition

Ian Fegan of Wolverhampton City Council said the film helped people see "football and one of the world’s most iconic players in a new light".

He added so far hundreds of visitors to the gallery on Lichfield Street had seen the touring football exhibition which arrived in the city last month and is on show until 1 September.

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