Watch Anelka: Misunderstood

Anelka: Misunderstood is a 2020 documentary that follows the career of French football player Nicolas Anelka. The film takes an in-depth look at Anelka's life, from his early days as a youth player to his rise to fame as a professional footballer. The documentary is directed by Franck Nataf and Eric Hannezo and produced by Netflix. It features interviews with Anelka himself, as well as his family members, friends, former teammates, coaches, and journalists. The film also includes footage from matches, press conferences, and behind-the-scenes moments, providing a comprehensive portrait of Anelka's life and career.

One of the main themes of Anelka: Misunderstood is the way in which Anelka's reputation has been shaped by the media. The film illustrates how Anelka has been portrayed as a difficult, moody, and even controversial figure throughout his career, often due to his behavior both on and off the field. However, the documentary also argues that this reputation is largely unfair, focusing instead on the positive aspects of Anelka's character and career.

Throughout the film, Anelka comes across as a deeply introspective and intelligent individual, who is acutely aware of how he is perceived by others. He discusses his upbringing, including his difficult relationship with his father, and details the various challenges he faced as a young footballer trying to make his way in the professional ranks.

The documentary also delves into some of the key moments in Anelka's career, such as his infamous "quenelle" gesture during a match for West Bromwich Albion in 2013. The gesture, which is considered by many to be anti-Semitic, caused widespread controversy and led to Anelka being banned for five matches by the Football Association. Anelka discusses the incident in detail, providing his own perspective on the controversy.

But while Anelka: Misunderstood addresses some of the negative aspects of Anelka's career, it also highlights his many accomplishments on the field. The documentary takes a retrospective look at Anelka's successful stints with Arsenal, Real Madrid, Chelsea, and other top clubs, providing a window into the life of a professional footballer at the highest level.

One of the most striking elements of the documentary is the way in which it uses interviews with Anelka's former teammates and coaches to paint a picture of the player as someone who was deeply respected and admired by those he played with. The film makes a compelling case that Anelka's reputation as a loner and a difficult teammate was largely unfounded, and that he was actually a valued member of the teams he played for.

Overall, Anelka: Misunderstood is an engaging and thought-provoking documentary that sheds new light on the life and career of one of football's most complex and enigmatic figures. Whether you are a die-hard football fan or simply interested in the human stories behind the headlines, this film is sure to captivate and inspire.

Anelka: Misunderstood is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.