The Parisian suburb football tournament going viral on social media
“It’s better than the World Cup, it’s better than the Champions League… it’s the Epinetzo Africa Cup of Nations”
As the Africa Cup of Nations kicked off in Egypt last month, the Parisian suburb town of Évry was rocking to the insatiable beat of it’s viral twin, the Epinetzo Cup of Nations. Established a few years ago by a group of local players and pitting local diaspora against each other, the tournament’s popularity has skyrocketed to such an extent that every goal is inevitably followed by a full-on pitch invasion.
With the backing and support of one of France’s most successful rappers, Niska, and countless footballing superstars such as Didier Drogba, Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba, Riyad Mahrez and Benjamin Mendy, the tournament has exploded in popularity on social media and french news channels.
Filmmakers Thomas Porlon and Tristan Baudenaille-Pessotto were granted unfettered access to the neighbourhood, to meet the local young people who have united their diverse neighbourhood and got the streets talking football all summer.
Title: ÉVRY, l’autre CAN
Directors: Thomas Porlon, Tristan Baudenaille-Pessotto
Length: 28 mins
Release: 2019
Where to watch: Youtube