Shooting for Socrates - Production & Contact Info

Shooting for Socrates (2014)
91 min | Comedy, Drama, Sport

Shooting for Socrates (2014)

91 min | Comedy, Drama, Sport

In November 1985, the troubled streets of Belfast are torn up by rioting yet again. In amongst the angry mob, we find nine year old Tommy, nonchalantly dribbling a ball through the insanity. Whilst politicians argue over the peace process,...See moreIn November 1985, the troubled streets of Belfast are torn up by rioting yet again. In amongst the angry mob, we find nine year old Tommy, nonchalantly dribbling a ball through the insanity. Whilst politicians argue over the peace process, there's only one thing on young Tommy's football-mad mind - the forthcoming World Cup, where Northern Ireland will take on Brazil. For the South American giants it's just another step on the path to inevitable global domination, yet for Northern Ireland, and young Tommy, it's the biggest game of their lives. They are two countries that couldn't seem further apart: Northern Ireland, with its Orange men and Republican curbstones, the Rev'd Ian Paisley and Fergal Sharkey; and Brazil with its carnival, its Samba, with Pelé and the 'beautiful game'. On the football field, eccentric Northern Ireland coach Billy Bingham (they call him Mr FIFA - "a fee for this and a fee for that") must plug together a bunch of misfits and third divisioners. Brazil are led by none other than the philosopher-captain (Dr.) Sócrates, who has, in part, inspired the collapse of his country's ruthless military junta, and they are the hot favourites to scoop up football's ultimate prize. As bunting replaces bombs on the streets of Belfast, and Catholic and Protestants alike turn their attention to the big match, Tommy's dockworker turned philosopher father Arthur uses his son's passion for football to enlighten him on the events that make up his chaotic world. The story interweaves young Tommy's coming of age tale with the trials and travails of the hapless Northern Irish team over the nine months leading up to their ultimate game, in the stifling heat of Mexico at the world's greatest festival of football. As the hours tick down to the ultimate battle, with his lead striker crocked, Bingham is forced to place his faith in young rookie, Davey Campbell - "the next George Best". Back home, Tommy waits anxiously for the biggest day of his life - because the day of the match is also his tenth birthday - and his father has promised to take him to the "top of the World" - the massive crane at Belfast Docks where Arthur works. From here he can see the whole of his world, but can he understand the lessons his father, inspired by the Greek philosopher Socrates, is trying to teach him? This is a story of two nations, two teams, and a father and a son, the things that divide them and the things that unite us all. Set against the backdrop of the 1986 World Cup and the sociopolitical backgrounds of both nations - this is the story of the world's smallest footballing nation, taking on its best. With laughter and passion, this is the ultimate story of the beautiful game and what it means. Written by Anonymous See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
41 cast members

Name	Known for
John Hannah Billy Bingham Billy Bingham See fewer	Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
Conleth Hill Jackie Fullerton Jackie Fullerton See fewer	Game of Thrones (2011)
Richard Dormer Arthur Arthur See fewer	'71 (2014)
Art Parkinson Tommy Tommy See fewer	Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
Ciarán McMenamin Sammy McIlroy Sammy McIlroy See fewer	To End All Wars (2001)
Nico Mirallegro David Campbell David Campbell See fewer	My Mad Fat Diary (2013)
Paul Kennedy Pat Jennings Pat Jennings See fewer	House of the Dragon (2022)
Chris Newman Norman Whiteside Norman Whiteside See fewer	Ferocious Planet (2011)
Aaron McCusker Gerry Armstrong Gerry Armstrong See fewer	Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Mathew McElhinney Jimmy Nichol Jimmy Nichol See fewer	Five Minutes of Heaven (2009)
Barry Ward Jimmy Quinn Jimmy Quinn See fewer	Extra Ordinary (2019)
Patrick Buchanan Alan McDonald Alan McDonald See fewer	Krypton (2018)
Declan Rodgers Bernard McNally Bernard McNally See fewer	Patrick Melrose (2018)
Stephen Hagan Phil Hughes Phil Hughes See fewer	Lucky Man (2016)
Andy Moore Mal Donaghy Mal Donaghy See fewer	'71 (2014)
Lorraine Sass Rebecca Bingham Rebecca Bingham See fewer	Emmerdale Farm (1972)
Frankie McCafferty Derek the Kit Man Derek the Kit Man See fewer	Philomena (2013)
Gerard Jordan Albert Kirk Albert Kirk See fewer	'71 (2014)
Bronagh Gallagher Irene Irene See fewer	Pulp Fiction (1994)
Packy Lee Wigsy Wigsy See fewer	Peaky Blinders (2013)
Chris Patrick-Simpson Spud Spud See fewer	Washington Black
Peter Ballance Jim Campbell Jim Campbell See fewer	Game of Thrones (2011)
Conan Sweeny Barney the Barman Barney the Barman See fewer	Obituary (2023)
Cathan McRoberts Soldier Smith Soldier Smith See fewer	Stand Off (2011)
John Travers Frankie Frankie See fewer	Song for a Raggy Boy (2003)
Maggie Cronin Landlady Landlady See fewer	High-Rise (2015)
John Patrick Donaghy Titch Titch See fewer	Gone (VIII) (2016)
Sergio Mur Socrates Socrates See fewer	El Señor de los Cielos (2013)
Julia Dearden Mrs. McIlroy (as Julia Deardren) Mrs. McIlroy (as Julia Deardren) See fewer	Northanger Abbey (2007)
Katie Tumelty Mrs. Jones Mrs. Jones See fewer	Game of Thrones (2011)
Allan Gildea Christopher's Dad Christopher's Dad See fewer	Bloody Sunday (2002)
Jude Crawford Christopher Christopher See fewer	Shooting for Socrates (2014)
William Graham Simon Jones Simon Jones See fewer	Shooting for Socrates (2014)
Mike Nesbitt Football Commentator Football Commentator See fewer	UTV Live (1993)
Frank Cannon Bar patron (uncredited) Bar patron (uncredited) See fewer	The Deceived (2020)
Hugh Irvine Bar Patron (uncredited) Bar Patron (uncredited) See fewer	Black Medicine (2021)
Bobby Marno British Solider (uncredited) British Solider (uncredited) See fewer	Damien (I) (2021)
Simon Millar Press (uncredited) Press (uncredited) See fewer	Zombie Formal Queen (2014)
Ross Moneypenny Soldier (uncredited) Soldier (uncredited) See fewer	Dracula Untold (2014)
Kristy Robinson Bar patron (uncredited) Bar patron (uncredited) See fewer	Come Home (2018)
Gary Wales Bar Member (uncredited) Bar Member (uncredited) See fewer	Game of Thrones (2011)