Feiyu’s Sports-Themed Film “Rooftop Soccer” Focuses on Family Ties
The recently released sports-themed movie “Rooftop Soccer”, directed by Feiyu, is not just about football, but also about the emotional bonds between family members. Unlike other sports films, “Rooftop Soccer” tells the story of two young sisters chasing their dreams of playing in an international competition while longing for their parents who work abroad.
Feiyu found inspiration for the film’s story during his travels in Yunnan. In one encounter, he met a teenage girl taking care of her siblings and a yellow dog. This experience led to the creation of the characters Ayiduo and Ayimei, played by Tan Xinyu and Tang Liangfeng, in the film. Another trip to a Naxi ethnic group village inspired Feiyu to highlight the vitality of children through the plot of “Rooftop Soccer”.
Finding suitable shooting locations and young actors proved to be challenging for Feiyu and his team. Visiting numerous schools and meeting thousands of children, they finally selected 20 young actors to bring the characters to life on screen.
The film’s protagonist, Ayimi, driven by her mother’s words and longing for her, puts her heart into forming a football team. Through hard work and determination, the sisters improve their skills and eventually participate in a Sino-Japanese youth football match. While Feiyu initially planned for an open ending, he decided to end the film with the sisters winning the game, emphasizing the theme of family ties.
In Feiyu’s eyes, “Rooftop Soccer” aims to inspire children to embrace life and love through its heartwarming story. The film serves as a reminder that winning or losing is not the focus, but rather the journey and experiences that shape us.