Zidane. A 21st Century Portrait

Zidane, A 21st Century Portrait (Zidane, un portrait du 21e siècle) is a 2006 French documentary film which focuses on the playing style of the French football player Zinedine Zidane, the former manager of Real Madrid. The collaboration follows Zidane’s performance and attitude during the Spanish Liga match played between Real Madrid and Villarreal on April 23, 2005 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. It was filmed in real time using 17 synchronised cameras. Zidane is captured from multiple angles, and the cameras remain steadfastly fixed on him even when the central action of the match moves elsewhere. Gordon and Parreno conceived of the project in relation to painted portraiture and real-time film portraits. The project explores the psychological complexity of the portrait, and echoes the broader mass-dissemination of the celebrity-hero.

The film score was composed and performed by the Scottish post-rock band Mogwai.