The film closely follows Zlatan, from his debut with the Malmö FF team in 1999 through his conflict-ridden years with Ajax Amsterdam, and up to his final breakthrough with Juventus in 2005.

Becoming Zlatan is a coming-of-age film that captures the complicated journey of this young, talented and troubled player as he becomes a superstar in the international football world. It’s a story about a young talent living under constant pressure: from teammates in Malmö who think he’s too egoistical and only plays for himself; from the tough managers at Ajax who send him to the bench, where he loses his self-confidence; and from his father, who tells the 18-year-old Zlatan: “You’re nothing. You’re nothing special until you’ve succeeded internationally.”

Throughout his journey, Zlatan stays true to himself. When he finally succeeds in Italy, he also becomes much more private. Soccer superstar Zlatan Ibrahimović is an enigma, but in this story from his breakthrough years, he gives us a glimpse at who he really is – if even just for a moment.

SELECTED FESTIVAL LIST

November, 2015. IDFA, The Netherlands
January, 2016. Doc Point Helsinki, Finland
January, 2016. Gothenburg International Film Festival, Sweden
May, 2016. DOK.Fest Münich, Germany
Nordisk Panorama Festival, Malmö, Sweden 

CREDITS

Directors: Fredrik Gertten and Magnus Gertten
Editor: Jesper Osmund
Produced by: Margarete Jangård, WG Film and Lennart Ström, Auto Images, Sweden.
Co-Producers: Janneke Doolaard, Hanneke Niens, Hans De Wolf at KeyDocs, The Netherlands and Simone Catania at Indyca, Italy.

Documentary. Running time 96 minutes. 2016.