‘WE WANT THE BALL’, 125th FC Barcelona anniversary video

'Do you remember your first football? Could you imagine that this innocent object would take you so far?' begins a child's voiceover over a black screen with a shadow that seems to be that of a football. This is the start of 'We want the ball'; the 125th FC Barcelona anniversary video that is based on the manifesto and, more than a video, it is an 8 minute piece of art, directed by the internationally renowned advertising director Leigh Powis. 

As such, the central message highlights FC Barcelona's history, a history that can only be understood via the dialogue between the crowd and what happens on the pitch, from its beginnings via generations of grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren. 

The audiovisual piece 

The video takes the viewer inside the mind of someone who is experiencing their first trip to Spotify Camp Nou as a culer, an adult experiencing childhood memories. From the moment of leaving the house to entering the stadium, the pivotal moment of union between the fans, a moment when the city of Barcelona stops to hear the chants. As the story develops, reason and emotion come together when elements of Catalan cultural identity appear, key figures from Barça history such as current players, legends from the past and former presidents amongst others, mixing together different moments and spaces where the fans are a key element; and showing that the Club's footprint goes well beyond sporting success stories. It is also there via a long conversation that is maintained with the fans, an honest dialogue that in the end reveals the true collective culer spirit. 

Finally, the piece ends with the slogan 'At FC Barcelona we have wanted the ball for 125 years', with words at the end from none other than the legendary Leo Messi. 

The ball, key element

The ball becomes a key element during the entire video, as much between the fans as between the sportsmen and women and FC Barcelona figures. It is with 'We Want the Ball' that the collective objective becomes one: We want the ball to enjoy, to share, to attack, to defend ourselves. To marvel and because we are certain that we play better if we all play.

'We Want the Ball' extrapolates its footballing significance, and it is a way making one's own not just Barça, but also forming part of Catalan culture, of understanding life in a certain way. References to 'rondos' and other drills to keep the ball can be seen in the video and suppose a commitment to a particular way of understanding the game, a recognisable Barça style, but also touching on other expressions of popular culture. In a 'rondo' like in 'la sardana' or 'els castells', is not about revelling in brute force, but giving it reason, it is not about wanting the limelight nor searching for temporary or individual solutions, it is about giving all components equal billing so that they earn to coordinate themselves collectively and in harmony, based on their technical abilities and internalising the chosen method. Natural talent can be identified, nurtured to shine all the better in service of the collective. 

Credits

Title: FCB 125th Anniversary Film

Director: Leigh Powis

Script: David Carabén 

Producer: ProdCo 

Founding partners / EPs: Ian Pons Jewell and Zico Judge

Director General / Executive Producer: Jon Adams

Producer: Theo Hue Williams

Director of Photography: Norm Li