The Defenders

Original title: Fighting for Hakeem

2023
1h 30m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

The gripping true story of how a former Australian football captain and a ragtag team of social media warriors, challenged two monarchies, a military junta and the world's richest and most i... Read allThe gripping true story of how a former Australian football captain and a ragtag team of social media warriors, challenged two monarchies, a military junta and the world's richest and most influential sporting body FIFA, to rescue the life of a fellow player and save the soul of ... Read allThe gripping true story of how a former Australian football captain and a ragtag team of social media warriors, challenged two monarchies, a military junta and the world's richest and most influential sporting body FIFA, to rescue the life of a fellow player and save the soul of football.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

YOUR RATING

1User review

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 3 nominations total

Photos

Top cast5

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Hakeem Al-Araibi

Self
(as Hakeem al-Araibi)

Craig Foster

Self

Ming-Zhu Hii

Mark Saturno

John Voce

Director
- Matthew Bate
Writers
- Matthew Bate
- Craig Foster
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Director Matthew Bate has said of this production: "As a lifelong player and football fan, Hakeem's story spoke to me on a deeply personal level. I am incredibly honoured to be able to help tell this important and timely story."

User reviews1

Review

Featured review

7/10

Worth a Watch if You Hate FIFA

I followed this case when it was in the news and didn't really understand it.

This doco does a really good job of clearing that up.

It's pretty scary how FIFA has no morals unless it's brought up in the public eye.

I think what cemented this for me was just how good a man Craig Foster is and how this really kick started all his exceptional work with refugees and Human rights.

It doesn't lag over the minutaie of the case and keeping your interest through different interviewees.

I found it pretty incredible how they can pick you up over something that involved you in a huge crowd protest years later AND in another country. To think that we don't accept ppl by boat in Australia is a humanitarian issue and an absolute disgrace.