Almost two weeks ago, Netflix released a docuseries featuring David Beckham, providing viewers with unprecedented access to the soccer star. The series, directed and produced by Fisher Stevens, offers a comprehensive look into Beckham’s career and personal life, with Beckham himself serving as one of the producers. Despite Beckham’s reputation as a man of few words, Stevens spent several days with him to encourage him to open up about his experiences and emotions.
One particular moment from the series has garnered attention: when David interrupted his wife Victoria’s interview to challenge her statement about her working-class upbringing. Stevens admits that he had no idea that David was listening in on the interview, and the unexpected interaction added an intriguing dynamic to the scene. While initially surprised, Stevens knew it was a great moment for the series, even though he had to urge David to leave and allow him to continue the interview with Victoria.
Addressing Beckham’s reticence to talk about himself, Stevens highlights the challenge of making him feel comfortable and creating a different approach to interviewing him. Stevens observed that Victoria is more comfortable expressing herself verbally, while David tends to suppress his emotions and personal experiences. However, Stevens sensed that David was finally ready to confront and share moments from his life that he had previously pushed aside.
Despite David’s involvement in the production and his production company’s involvement, Stevens wanted to ensure that the series covered David’s entire life, including the ups and downs. While David was open to discussing most aspects of his life, there were some sensitive topics that he found difficult to address, such as his time in Madrid and the tabloid coverage, as well as his estrangement from former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
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Stevens also mentions other potential subjects for the documentary that were ultimately left out, including David’s role as ambassador for the controversial Qatar World Cup and his lack of a knighthood. Stevens felt these topics didn’t fit well within the scope of the film and wouldn’t be as relevant in the future.
Regarding the interviews, Stevens reveals that Glenn Hoddle, former Team England manager, declined to be involved. However, he eventually secured an interview with Sir Alex Ferguson, who initially had limited availability due to his own documentary but became more responsive and open after recognizing Stevens from the TV show “Succession.”
Stevens acknowledges that there may be a disconnection between his work as an actor and his work as a filmmaker. Despite his extensive experience making documentaries, he feels that not many people are aware of this aspect of his career. However, his work as an actor has provided some recognition, which has facilitated his interactions with subjects and made them more comfortable during interviews.
Reflecting on his recent work on “Succession,” Stevens notes that it helped him establish a rapport with the subjects of his documentary. The political operatives featured in his previous documentary were fans of the show, and their familiarity with Stevens through “Succession” made them more open and willing to share their experiences.
In terms of the series’ music, Stevens finds it amusing that some viewers have drawn similarities between the documentary’s score and the music from “Succession.” Although he used temp music during the editing process, he asserts that none of the music from “Succession” was deliberately included. However, he acknowledges that the final score may unintentionally evoke the same vibe.
Stevens also discusses the powerful shots of athletes getting emotional while watching old match footage. He explains that his intention was to capture vulnerability and enable viewers to experience the moment with the athletes. By placing the iPad showing the footage in a mirror behind a ring light, the athletes’ reactions were authentically captured, and some shots were enhanced with graphic overlays to further highlight their emotional responses.
In terms of what Stevens learned about Beckham, he highlights the abusive treatment that Beckham and his wife endured following the infamous red card incident during the 1998 World Cup. Stevens was shocked by the extent of the abuse Beckham faced, even in Los Angeles. However, he admires Beckham’s ability to turn things around and remain resilient in the face of adversity.
Ultimately, Stevens found Beckham’s willingness to confront and share his experiences admirable and believes that many people would not be capable of doing what Beckham did. The docuseries aims to offer audiences a thorough and intimate portrait of an iconic figure in sports and popular culture and sheds light on aspects of Beckham’s life that have not been widely known or understood.
