Director Kordo Doski strikes narrative gold with Allihopa: The Dalkurd Story, which follows the titular football club as it attempts to rise to Sweden’s top Division. We posed our Qs à la mode to Kordo, and here’s what he shared!
If I had to describe my film using only three adjectives, they would be: Ambitious, inspiring and beautiful.
I decided to make this film because: Mainly, it was because of what the team was on the verge of accomplishing. Their achievement was remarkable, considering that the team was made up of 14 nationalities and started by Kurdish refugees as a social project. This narrative was exactly what I wanted to help bring to the world — to raise awareness of what can happen when people are given an opportunity, and to inspire others to take action to create positive change in their own communities.
The thing that surprised me most about my film’s subject/topic was: Just how exceptional the group of players and coaches were, and the magical energy that surrounded them. Their chemistry and singular focus on achieving what was previously thought impossible was so unique and apparent in their presence.
My favorite moment/scene/sequence in my film is: One in particular was during a practice after a very tough loss. The team began to open up and fully accept us as part of their journey, and the guards dropped. They genuinely seemed to look forward to our daily arrivals. This was a special feeling, especially given all the pressure they were under throughout our entire filming period.
The most challenging part of making my film was: Gathering the necessary resources in time to bring my entire crew to Sweden for the remainder of the season, and to tell the story the way it deserved to be told. However, despite these challenges, we were fortunate that this project always felt like it was supported by something outside of us. Whenever a major obstacle appeared, a new person or opportunity seemed to appear that allowed us to move forward and create the best film possible.
My most invaluable piece of doc-making gear was/is: After a few practices, we realized the need for a zoom lens with built-in stabilization to shoot the soccer footage. It allowed us to quickly adjust our framing without worrying about shaky shots, which was invaluable for capturing the fast-paced action on the field. What truly made a difference in the success of the film was having the right people associated with the project. My crew was instrumental, and everyone was so committed to the project and never put themselves before it.
One piece of documentary-filmmaking advice I’d like to share with aspiring documentarians is: Gather as much material as possible. By doing so, you will have more to work with in post-production when it comes to shaping the story. There were many days when we decided to follow the team around, even when it initially didn’t seem important. However, in doing so, it not only brought us closer to our subjects, but it also allowed us to capture certain moments that were invaluable for the film, which we wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.
Want to check out Kordo’s film or just learn more about it?
Get the scoop, and your tickets, here!
