Forever Chape

Forever Chape is a poignant and powerful documentary film that hit the screens in 2018. It tells the deeply moving story of a football team called Associação Chapecoense de Futebol, known colloquially as Chapecoense or simply Chape, based in Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Directed by Luis Ara, the film vividly explores the aftermath of the tragic event that took place in November 2016 and how the team’s resilience and unity saw them through the daunting task of resurgence.

The heart of the film centers around the 2016 LaMia Flight 2933 accident. The plane carrying members of the Brazilian Chapecoense football team, including players, staff, and several journalists, crashed near Medellin, Colombia. This unexpected catastrophe resulted in the loss of 71 out of 77 onboard, including 19 players. These players were not just members of the team but embodied the hopes, dreams, and spirit of an entire community.

In the face of such an immense tragedy, the central theme of the film is recovery, resilience, and rebirth. It documents the struggle the club and the city faced to regroup and rebuild following the loss of almost the entire first team. Ara does an admirable job of tracing the journey of the team, focusing on the aftermath of the accident and the gradual rebuilding process.

The film covers months following the tragedy, during which the sports club is forced to rebuild the team nearly from scratch. It illustrates an incredible story of human spirit, unity, and the love for football. Sobrevivencia - or survival - is an underlying motif in the film and resonates with not just Chapecoense but the entire football fraternity.

The storytelling in Forever Chape is complemented significantly by the use of football fan footage and carefully curated interviews from survivors, journalists, families of the deceased players, and the management team of Chapecoense. The director's narrative skilfully shifts from a poignant retelling of the horror to an inspiring tale of a phoenix rising from the ashes - showcasing the passion, resilience, and indomitable spirit of a city and a club.

The remaining players, some of whom were not on the ill-fated flight due to injuries or suspensions, provide varied perspectives and heartfelt testimonials about the tragic event and its aftermath. Besides the surviving athletes, new players also share their experiences and the emotions of stepping into the shoes of the deceased players.

The film also shines a light on the international football community's overwhelming support, featuring moments like rival clubs offering players on loan and even formally requesting that Chapecoense be exempted from relegation for the coming season. These show the power of community and sportsmanship in the face of tragedy.

Director Luis Ara, with his sensitive and respectful handling of such a mournful event, creates a touching and heart-wrenching narrative. The documentary is both an homage to those who were lost and a tribute to the strength and resilience of those who remained. It shows the power of sport, and particularly football, as a unifying force capable of healing and rebuilding in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

There are sorrowful moments, scenes that are heartbreaking, and there are instances where one cannot help but shed a tear. Yet, Forever Chape is not a film about a tragedy; instead, it is a monument to human resilience, a celebration of life. It effectively brings out the spirit of hope, unity, hard work, passion, and the belief that life, although cruel sometimes, must go on.

Overall, Forever Chape is more than just a documentary about a football team. It is a testament to the human spirit's endurance and strength and the power of a community to rally around their local heroes in times of despair. It beautifully encapsulates the club’s journey of sobering renewal and the city of Chapecó's undying love for their cherished team, rendering it a must-watch for football lovers and fans of compelling human stories alike.