Life and Art from FT Weekend
Culture chat: Roger Federer is too nice for documentaries
Jun 21, 2024
Henry Mance and Raphael Abraham discuss the new Federer documentary, questioning if he's too boring for a film. They ponder on the next tennis stars, dissecting the legacy of Federer. The conversation touches on Jannik Sinner and Boris Becker, recommending Problemista and Creation Lake.
23:39
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The documentary '12 Final Days' lacked depth and excitement, focusing more on staged PR events than Federer's career essence.
- Federer's legacy in tennis is defined by his graceful play style, technical prowess, and transition from fiery young player to serene presence.
Deep dives
Insights into Federer's Documentary
The documentary '12 Final Days' follows tennis legend Roger Federer from his retirement announcement to his final match at the Laver Cup. While capturing intimate moments with Federer's family and rivals like Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray, the film was perceived as lacking in depth and excitement. Despite showcasing Federer's composed demeanor and behind-the-scenes interactions, the documentary was criticized for its focus on staged PR events rather than the essence of Federer's career.
