As global football captures the imagination of millions, Cinema Akil has teamed up with Alserkal Avenue to introduce a unique film program that celebrates the sport through cinema. This initiative includes a complimentary community screening of the acclaimed documentary The Match and ticketed showings of Diego Maradona.
The program kicks off on July 10 at 7:00 pm with a free screening of The Match at Cinema Akil in Alserkal Avenue. This 2026 documentary, directed by Juan Cabral and Santiago Franco, revisits the historic quarter-final clash between Argentina and England during the 1986 FIFA World Cup, contextualising one of football’s most memorable matches within a broader historical and political framework.
Instead of solely focusing on Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal and his renowned “Goal of the Century,” The Match delves into how this game became intertwined with national identity, memory, and the repercussions of the Falklands War. Utilising rare archival footage and featuring interviews with players from both sides, the 91-minute documentary explores the sporting, political, and cultural ramifications of a match that continues to influence football history decades later. Based on Andrés Burgo’s non-fiction book El Partido, the film premiered in the Cannes Première section at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. It was later showcased at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
In addition to the complimentary community screening, Cinema Akil will also host ticketed showings of Diego Maradona, an award-winning documentary by Academy Award-winning director Asif Kapadia. Using over 500 hours of previously unreleased archival footage, this film chronicles Maradona’s journey from Argentina to global football fame, focusing particularly on his intense yet storied time at Napoli and the lasting impact he made on the sport.
This football-themed program aims to offer more than match highlights; it seeks to uncover the stories, personalities, and historical events that have shaped the game. Through documentaries that assess the cultural, political, and emotional resonance of football, Cinema Akil hopes to unite football fans and cinema lovers alike for a shared cinematic experience.
