Review by Nick Wheatley
Stars Howard Webb, Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez, Roberto Rosetti,
Michel Platini, Peter Fröjdfeldt, Massimo Busacca, Nicklas Alexandersson
Certification UK 15 | Runtime 77 minutes | Directed by Yves Hinant & Eric Cardot
Who would be a referee? Well if you really want to know then look no further than The Referees – more aptly summarised by it's original title, Kill The Referee. This project is a unique and groundbreaking documentary that is granted an insight into the world of professional refs and the lives that they lead.
The Referees follows a selection of refs through the Euro 2008 competition and is by their side all the way. Capturing every feeling and reaction as the tournament progresses. We are able to witness the match day machinations of a team of officials, the teamwork exhibited by the best Europe has to offer, the eagerness to get their job done correctly and the anguish that an incorrect decision can have, on not just their professional lives but their private ones also.
This film manages to capture the absolute folly and absurdity of football fans and the ridiculous terms and conditions refs are demanded to work with. Howard Webb, a highly successful UK ref is featured prominently throughout the film and provides the most impact. In one match, Webb makes an easy mistake but a mistake none the less. Soon after the fans who suffered as a result begin comparing him to Hitler, with the president of that country stating he wants to kill Webb. These extreme reactions are the threat that all refs whether professional or amateur have to be wary of. The praise of a good job is minimal, yet the harassment of a bad job is relentless. We are even shown the repercussions stretching out to Webb's family in Yorkshire.The pressure on these individuals is immense and this documentary manages to catch those moments well.
What is evident to see with this documentary is that it takes a rare individual to have that motivation to become a ref. However these men are so eager to perform their role at the highest level that the competition for places is fierce. The general attitude being that if at the end of the game no-one says a word about the ref, they have done their job. Anonymity is the key.
Some of the finer moments of this film include witnessing how refs interact with players during matches, how they react to angry players and even how the protocol of the ref and his linesmen operate. However, it wasn't quite enough. These match day moments are over far too quickly and they lacked variety. More in-depth interviews would have propelled the tension and understanding of the refs.
A major issue I had was with the billing of Pierluigi Collina, widely considered to be the best ref of all time. I was expecting a fascinating interview with the big cheese himself but was really disappointed to see him walk into a room deliver a line or two and never return. To even mention his appearance in the film was audacious.
So there were some touching moments in this project, particularly when you see the refs families support or suffer through their loved one but this film didn't quite reach it's potential. It's missing an extra layer of depth to take it to that next level. This film will only connect with particular football fans and anyone not interested in the sport may want to give it a miss. It doesn't feel accessible to a novice. My opening question was answered however and it was enthralling to learn of these bizarre individuals who take pride in one of the toughest jobs on the planet.