“King Otto,” an acclaimed documentary film about the miracle triumph of the Greek national soccer team at the 2004 Euro Cup, will have a red carpet premiere in New York City on Wednesday, March 23, at the Museum of Modern Art.
The event will be hosted by Hall of Fame TV Broadcaster Ernie Anastos and special guests include Otto Rehhagel, members of the 2004 Greek national team, Greek Ambassador to the U.S. Alexandra Papadopoulou and Consul General of Greece Konstantinos Koutras, among others.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Christopher André Marks, “King Otto” arrives in the U.S. on the wings of widespread critical acclaim and theatrical success worldwide.
The film tells the improbable story of one the biggest underdog triumphs in sports history. Simultaneously, it is an intimate and inspirational human story about an outsider daring to change his life and shake up the establishment at any cost.
In summer 2004, the Greek national team had never won a game or even scored a goal in a major tournament. But the team defied 300-1 odds to become the unlikeliest of European champions.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Zinedine Zidane’s France and David Beckham’s England were left stunned as an unfancied country, featuring players no one had ever heard of, single-handedly took down the titans of the world’s game.
The architect behind this unprecedented victory was legendary German coach “King” Otto Rehhagel. After accomplishing every major success in his own country, he left it all behind to work with the underachieving Greek team in a language he didn’t speak — and in a country he couldn’t understand.
Andre Marks’ film is the story of how these two contrasting cultures came together to speak the same language and write a new chapter of Greek mythology.
In what is being billed as the European “Ted Lasso,” the film is set to take its place in the pantheon of inspiring sports dramas alongside “Miracle,” “Hoosiers” and “Cool Runnings.”
“We have been overwhelmed by the incredible reception this film has received as we have released worldwide and at a time we need such uplifting tales of unity and hope,” André Marks said. “We are excited to share what is truly one of the greatest underdog sports achievements of all time with North American audiences.”
Andrew Pulver of the The Guardian called the film “thoughtful and erudite” claiming the film’s climax moment to be “one of the most uplifting things I have ever seen.”
David Stratton of The Australian writes: “Full marks to director Christopher André Marks for telling this real life feel good story, so well and so entertainingly…a compelling drama.”
Greg Baum of The Sydney Morning Herald says it is “Technically a documentary but comes across as an Aesopian Fable” while the BBC called it “a beautiful, beautiful film.”
André Marks’ works have screened in cinemas and on digital platforms such as ESPN, SKY, Canal+, Al Jazeera and Discovery+.
The filmmaker’s previous documentary work includes directing and producing the SXSW documentary “Tiger Hood” for ESPN Films’ Emmy Award- Winning “30 for 30” series and working with HBO Sports on their Emmy and Peabody Award winning “24 / 7” series.
Marks previously worked with HBO Documentaries, ESPN Films and HBO Sports. He is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts film program.
Tickets to the New York City screening on Wednesday, March 23, are available here.
Ticket options include (1) General Admission – red carpet premiere at MoMa only or (2) VIP – red carpet premiere at MoMa and the VIP After Party at Avra Madison.
Watch the official trailer
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