Clockwise from top left: A League of Their Own, As One, Here Comes the Boom, Leap, Waterboys, We are Marshall, Zero to Hero.
A League of Their Own (1992)
Shot three decades ago but just as relevant today, A League of Their Own is not just about winning a competition, but about breaking down gender barriers in sports. The fictional story follows a group of ladies from different backgrounds, who find fresh purpose and teamwork in their lives through baseball. Led by a star-studded cast (including Tom Hanks, Madonna, Geena Davis and Rosie O’Donnell), A League of Their Own shows how people can find inspiration from one another and how a single goal can unite and be a visionary step towards a lasting win. The movie was so popular it’s earned a remake, out now on Amazon Prime.
As One (2012)
When people say sports bring the world together, they aren’t kidding. One example of this is told in the Korean drama As One. As the world hopes for the reunification of North and South Korea, a key collaboration in 1991 demonstrated the possible power of such unity. Following an aviation accident involving both countries earlier in 1987, the two sides agree to assemble a first-ever post-war Unified Korea sports (table tennis) team. The film is an impactful narrative on rare harmony — an uplifting message not just for the countries involved but the whole world.
Here Comes the Boom (2012)
Sometimes a win in sports is also a win in other areas of life. This feel-good underdog comedy stars Kevin James as Scott Voss, a former wrestler-turned-high school teacher who finds renewed purpose in an unexpected way. Bent on raising funds to keep his ailing school’s musical programme running, he comes across an unorthodox way to earn it — by fighting Mixed Martial Arts matches. With the small prize money he earns for getting beaten up, Scott soon realises there’s a lot more to be made and that he is not half bad in the ring. He eventually raises enough money but also attains up a new vigour in life.
Leap (2020)
Following the rise and fall… and rise again of the Chinese women national volleyball team, director Peter Chan’s Leap is a stirring and beautiful piece that approaches the sport from the coach’s perspective. With Chinese superstars Gong Li and Huang Bo leading the film, you can be assured of riveting acting. Add to that the casting of an actual player’s daughter, Lydia Bai (playing her mother, former national volleyball player and coach Lang Ping), you’re set for an authentic journey across four decades that have the team going up against strong international opponents.
Waterboys (2001)
Quirky, cheeky and plenty of fun, it’s hard to see how the goofy cast of Waterboys can teach anyone about grit. But this comedy is an entertaining example of what happens when one follows through with their passion. Suzuki (Satoshi Tsumabuki) aspires to be a competitive swimmer but has no others joining him in the school team. When a beautiful teacher arrives at the all-boy’s school, the swimming club becomes heavily subscribed. That is, until the lads find out that she actually teaches synchronised (or artistic) swimming. The swimmers start leaving and with only four other misfits left, can team captain Suzuki make something out of the sport and achieve greatness?
We are Marshall (2006)
In 1970, a plane carrying 37 young college players from the Marshall University Thundering Herd American football team crashed in West Virginia, USA. Coaches and crew made up the rest of the 75 lives lost that day. We are Marshall tells the true story of how a town rallied to rebuild themselves after the horrific tragedy, with the help of new coaches Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) and William “Red” Dawson (Matthew Fox).
Zero to Hero (2021)
Based on the true story of Hong Kong SAR Paralympian So Wa Wai (Louis Cheung), this moving tale can best be surmised by a line from the sprinting protagonist in the film: “Catching up is the story of my life”. Born with cerebral palsy, So would have not been the athlete he is today without his incredible perseverance and inner mettle, as well as the unwavering support from his mother (Sandra Ng). Zero to Hero chronicles his life journey from child to adult, closely following his trials and tribulations, including battling discrimination — even from fellow team mates. Cheung puts out a moving performance that viewers would remember for a long time to come.
