Netflix Set Doc On Luís Figo’s Move To Real Madrid – Deadline
Netflix has finalized its latest collaboration with London-based Pitch Productions titled The Figo Affair (El Caso Figo)a feature-length documentary revolving around the story of how Ballon d’Or won the transfer of Portuguese footballer Luís Figo from FC Barcelona to Real Madrid.
The Spanish-language documentary takes the most controversial transfer saga in football history as a heist and unveils the gripping story of how Figo’s move from Spanish giants FC Barcelona to bitter rivals Real Madrid came about. The story is a twisted tale of backroom deals, a truly historic sporting rivalry, and a deep cultural divide.
The Figo Affair It is directed by award-winning duo David Tryhorn and Ben Nicholas, who also directed the Netflix biopic pele. Pitch executive producer Marie-Denise Dormis produced the film. The document was developed by Max Dobbyn, who also served as consulting producer, having joined the company in 2020 as Lightbox’s lead in development.
“After the success of peleBen and I were delighted to partner with Netflix again El Caso Figo‘ said Tryhorn. “It’s getting harder and harder to find sports documentaries that say something new that aren’t just biographies or sporting success stories, we think El Caso Figo is unique. Focused on the transfer rather than Figo’s career, the film educates us about truth, greed, morality and the inner workings of the world’s most popular sport.”
He added: “We were pleased that everyone involved in the transaction was willing to participate fully. Everyone from Florentino Peréz to Pep Guardiola has been generous with their time, but Luís Figo was particularly accommodating and desperate to finally set the record straight after two decades of avoiding the question of his transfer.”
London based Pitch Productions has a range of sports focused non-fiction books including Amazons Andy Murray: Reappearance and All or nothing: Brazil national team. The company produced for Netflix Pele, a biopic of the legendary Brazilian soccer player and they co-produced The perfect mess, the streamer series about PSG striker Neymar.
Pitch has also embarked on a reorganization, with Tryhorn being appointed creative director after a decade with the company. Reporting to COO Jonathan Rogers, Tryhorn will oversee Pitch’s productions and creative strategy. He will be joined by Max Dobbyn, who has been promoted to Head of Documentaries but will continue to lead the development team.
COO Jonathan Rogers said: “El Caso Figo marks the next phase in the evolution of pitch production. It demonstrates our desire to break new ground in sports documentary at a key time in the evolution of the genre, which is telling more sports stories than ever before.”