Movie spotlight
November 16
After 32 years of heartache, bitterness and despair, it took just seconds for Guus Hiddink to exude a rare sense of calmness in the Socceroos dressing room. Four years prior to the now famous night on November 16, 2005, a fragile Australian team had been bullied off the park by Uruguay in its quest to finally break its World Cup drought. Intimidated from the moment they touched down in Montevideo in 2001, spat on by locals and then roared off the park by 60,000 manic fans in the Estadio Centenario, they had barely stood a chance. Now older, more mature and — with Hiddink in charge — more professional, things would be different four years on. That change in mentality flows through November 16, a gripping documentary from Richard Bayliss and Ben Coonan that depicts the Socceroos’ journey from West Germany in 1974 to the moment John Aloisi’s crisp spot kick struck the back of Fabian Carini’s net.
Insights
Plot Summary
The film is a short documentary that explores the significance of November 16th through various historical events and personal anecdotes. It weaves together different narratives to highlight the impact of this specific date on individuals and society. The documentary aims to provoke thought about memory, history, and the passage of time.
Critical Reception
As a short documentary, "November 16" did not receive widespread critical reviews. Its impact and reception are primarily within niche film festival circuits and academic circles. Information regarding broad audience reception is limited due to its short format and specialized distribution.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its unique thematic exploration of a specific date.
Noted for its concise and thoughtful approach to historical reflection.
Appreciated for its ability to connect disparate events through a single point in time.
Google audience: Information regarding Google user reviews for this specific short documentary is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The film was presented as part of the "Documentary Short Films" program at various film festivals, allowing it to reach a specialized audience interested in concise historical narratives.
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