Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno's Zidane: A 21st-Century Portrait

In 2006, artists Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno released the feature-length film "Zidane, un portrait du 21e siècle," an experimental portrait of footballer Zinedine Zidane. The film was shot during a single match on April 23, 2005, between Real Madrid and Villarreal C.F. for the La Liga title, using seventeen cameras to capture Zidane from every angle for the full 90 minutes. The project began in 1997, but it took five years to secure Zidane's participation, facilitated by journalist Frédéric Hermel of L'Équipe. Cinematographer Darius Khondji and editor Hervé Schneid (nine months of editing) contributed to the film's distinctive visual style, which eschews conventional sports coverage for a fragmented, intimate portrayal. The soundtrack amplifies Zidane's breathing and shouts, while occasional subtitles present his reflections on the game. The film achieved notable commercial success with 62,647 theatrical admissions. Critics have compared it to Hellmuth Costard's 1970 documentary "Fußball wie noch nie" about George Best, which used eight 16mm cameras. The article argues that the film's true significance lies not in technical novelty but in its humanist affirmation, presenting Zidane as a sacred figure in a democratic age, countering postmodern critiques of the subject. The title sequence was designed by Parisian designers M/M.