"I've built a bond here with you that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. I've played for many clubs, I've made many friends through football, but I don't have anyone like you." The emotion of then-defender and captain Fábio Luciano during his locker room speech to his teammates, moments before kickoff against Fluminense in the semifinals of this year's Taça Rio, is one of the highlights of the DVD "PentaTri – A Hegemonia."
Released last night, September 1st, by Som Livre in partnership with Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, through its Marketing Department, the documentary chronicles Flamengo's campaign to win another third Rio de Janeiro championship, the club's fifth in history. The film features everything from behind-the-scenes footage to exclusive highlights from the final stretch of the championship at Maracanã, and gives ample space to the empathy and leadership of Fabio Luciano, who had already announced his intention to hang up his boots at the end of the competition.
The affection for Fábio Luciano is conveyed through the roars of the fans and the emotional testimonies of teammates like defender Ronaldo Angelim. "The filmmakers were very sensitive. It's a moment that will go down in the club's history. What we love most is being part of the fans' memories and being able to go out on the streets and be recognized for it. Flamengo brings me nothing but joy," Fabio Luciano told the team from Flamengo's official website during the cocktail reception preceding the documentary's screening at the UCI in the New York Center shopping mall.
Using a timeline, the documentary shows how Rio de Janeiro's football dominance was achieved—from the first tournament in 1906, when Fluminense won, to May 3, 2009, when Flamengo won its 31st state title, surpassing its rival from Laranjeiras. The 2009 campaign is commented on by journalist Carlos Eduardo Mansur, the club's former press officer.
Directors Raphael Vieira and Gabriel Mendes' camera travels through the club's facilities in Gávea, including the doctor's office and locker room, through the tunnel, onto the field with the players, and up into the stands. "One of the film's biggest differences is that we used five dedicated cameras. We have footage no one has ever seen on TV," says Raphael Vieira.
The footage highlights the fans. "Besides Fábio Luciano's leadership, we also showcase the relationship between the team and the fans. I have no doubt that, without the fans, Flamengo wouldn't have won this championship," commented Daniel F. Sroulevich.
Defender Ronaldo Angelim and former club players such as Nélio and Adílio attended the launch event. Priscila, who appeared on the last Big Brother Brasil show on Rede Globo, also attended the launch. "I loved it. It was great to learn about the story, having been inside the house for so long," said the fan, currently on the cover of Playboy.
With a suggested price of R$19,90, “PentaTri – A Hegemonia” is 85 minutes long and shows all the goals of the campaign, with participation from athletes Bruno, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim, Juan, Willians, Kléberson, Ibson, Diego, and members of the coaching staff of that championship, such as Cuca, Cuquinha and Roberto Barbosa.
Som Livre is launching in partnership with Flamengo, through the Marketing Department. Production is by Fla Filmes in association with Kino TV, MRTS Produções, and Caribe Produções, with support from FlaTV. Direction and photography are by Raphael Vieira and Gabriel Mendes. Executive production is by Daniel F. Sroulevich, production by Diogo Dahl, and editing by John Vale and Helena Lent. Sound editing and mixing by Damião Lopes, and original score by Rogê. A special guest appearance is by journalist Carlos Eduardo Mansur.