Football with a Cause

The Portuguese dictatorship regime went through a significant part of the 20th century. As a nationwide university city, Coimbra lived times of great tension and non-conformism that sprung in an academic movement against the established order that hit so high proportions that spread to the people reflecting they're state of mind. This triggered a common social feeling with the purpose to collapse the regime. Since public concentrations, demonstrations and propaganda were forbidden, the main way which the students could spread their message and position was through the Associacao Academica de Coimbra football players. The team was the voice of revolution about to explode. Its style and attitude spread the motto throughout the country and enlarge the number of people sympathetic with the cause and to put away the people's fear to act and fight for its beliefs. Academica became a fight flag against the regime and the greatest weapon the students possess against the regime. By 1969, the 'Academic crisis' ignite the tension between government and the students. The students defy the government by supporting Academica in the stadiums, showing words of protest that went on as a wakeup call and the final call to arms. The highest moment of the 69 crisis was when Academica played against Benfica in the Portugal's Cup Final. That moment went on in history as the greatest demonstration ever, against the regime. The documentary intends to show the academic movement and its several crisis by the players perspective and the way they contributed and involved themselves in the movement as students and Men. The main focus will be on the players and the academic leaders in this process during the 60's.