Maradona - The Movie

'Like the Gallagher brothers, Maradona's life has had its fair share of sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll. Only more so. For with Diego you can add poverty, corruption, conspiracy, adultery and sainthood.' - Goal

I was supposed to spend Friday evening cooking. Not very exciting, I admit. But the evening turned out be different and a lot of fun. After a rapid decision, headed out to the city center. Had dinner at a Lebanese resturant(Mmmm... delicious) and then onto the cinemas to see 'Maradona' - A documentary by Emir Kusturica on the life and times of Diego Maradona. I didn't know this but Kusturica is supposed to be pretty famous in the movie circles. He's made trips to Cannes quite a few times. Coming back to Maradona, I would say he is revered as nothing less than a God in Argentina. I mean a true god, to the extent that there is a Diego religion and a church in his name. People get married by taking vows on a football...!!! Now beat that. He's a revolutionary at heart with the fires of Gadar running through his blood. Hates the US, hates UK and loves Fidel and Che. That's a lot of rebellion for one person. But his rise to greatness is almost as steep as his fall to shame. He has been blamed with cocaine abuse but he makes no qualms about his innocence.This is what he says on the issue 'If cocaine is a drug, then I am a drug addict) But for a god, forgiveness is guaranteed.

"Hand of God" . I had never heard of it before. But that was the goal that gave Argentina its world cup final. It is widely conjectured that Maradona punched the ball into the goal with his hand, a serious no no. For a god, all is acceptable. But the most extraordinary thing about Maradona is that he is a normal person. Just like you and me. The movie closed and I left with the image of not Maradona and his life but the Goal of the century by a God.