Culture chat: Roger Federer is too nice for documentaries
Jun 21, 2024
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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.
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.
Exploring Federer's Tennis Legacy
Roger Federer's legacy in tennis is characterized by his graceful playing style, technical prowess, and unique ability to effortlessly outplay opponents by showcasing his skills on the court. Despite not delving deep into his technical brilliance and game strategy, the film highlights Federer's impact on the game, his transition from a fiery young player to a serene presence, and his enduring popularity among fans.
Reflection on Modern Tennis Landscape
The documentary hints at a transitional phase in tennis with the decline of veteran players like Federer, Nadal, and Murray, paving the way for emerging talents like Alcaraz and Sinner. While the traditional aura of tennis legends fades, new stars offer a glimpse of the sport's evolving landscape. The film's portrayal of the golden era of tennis stars raises questions about the future of the sport amidst emerging talents and shifting dynamics on the court.
Roger Federer is one of the world’s greatest tennis players – but is he dramatic enough for a full film? Today we discuss the new Federer documentary, just released on Amazon Prime. It’s called Federer: Twelve Final Days, and follows the tennis star in the run-up to his retirement. Does the film fully reflect his legacy well? Is Federer boring? And how do we feel about the next batch of tennis stars? Chief features writer Henry Mance and deputy arts editor Raphael Abraham join Lilah to discuss.
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We love hearing from you. Lilah is on Instagram @lilahrap. We’re on X @lifeandartpod and on email at lifeandart@ft.com. We are grateful for reviews on Apple and Spotify. And please share this episode with your friends!
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Links (all FT links get you past the paywall):
– Raph’s interview with 22-year-old Italian Grand Slam winner Jannik Sinner: https://on.ft.com/4etUAro
– Henry’s interview with tennis star Boris Becker on his money, marriages and what he learned in prison: https://on.ft.com/3VPUMKy
– Raph recommends the Julio Torres film Problemista. You can check out his stand-up comedy here
– Henry recommends Creation Lake, the upcoming novel by Rachel Kushner publishing in September
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