Maybe Next Year

Maybe Next Year is a 2019 heartwarming and insightful documentary about the spirit of fandom and the ties that bind a community. Directed by Kyle Thrash, the movie showcases the passionate tales of four fans of the National Football League Team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

The four main characters - Shirley Dash, Barry Vagnoni, Bryant Moreland, and Jesse Callsen, are not actors, but real-life individuals whose world revolves around their football team. From different walks of life, these individuals come together to convey a common love and an undying passion for their beloved team, which had never won a Super Bowl until 2018.

Shirley Dash is a quintessential firebrand fan with such an infectious, vivacious spirit that it would be hard for anyone watching not to adopt the Eagles as their favorite team after seeing her cheer them on. Moving on to Barry Vagnoni, a retired businessman who has built an entire wing on his house as an Eagles fan cave - embellished with memorabilia dating back decades. Barry's dedication to the team and his love for the sport which he shares with fellow fans is heartwarming, painting a picture of how a shared passion can fuel camaraderie and create a sense of belonging.

Bryant Moreland, famously known as EDP445 amongst online circles, is a passionate YouTuber who uses the platform to discuss all things concerning the Eagles. His raw energy and passionate dissection of the games have earned him a following online. Through Bryant, the film explores how fan culture is not merely a physical congregation of individuals in a stadium but has spilled over into the digital world where fans connect from different corners of the globe.

The youngest fan amongst the group, Jesse Callsen, embodies the future generation of Eagles fans. His journey presents a nuanced look at how the experience of fandom is passed down from generation to generation and the unique language and emotions that come with it.

Each story intertwined in the narrative of the documentary is distinctly different, giving an all-rounded perspective of the football crazed city and depth to the unifying force that is the Philadelphia Eagles. The film also conceptually captures the essence of what it’s like to root for a team for what feels like forever, without seeing them ever win.

Intriguingly, the film's setting takes us through the 2017–2018 Philadelphia Eagles season, leading up to the climactic and historic win at the Super Bowl LII. However, it's not about the destination, but the journey, where win or lose, the die-hard passion of the fans never wavers.

Maybe Next Year, however, is not just about football; it explores hope, resilience, and unity of a community, underpinned by a shared passion. The film insightfully portrays how sport can bring together a community, blurring the lines of social and economic divides and rallying folks behind a shared cause.

The movie expertly utilises interviews, real-life footage, and social media elements to construct a narrative that's immersive and wholesome. The director, Kyle Thrash, has managed to sculpt a narrative that gently humanizes these fans and their passion, presenting it as a tangible, relatable sentiment. This documentary does more than give you a peek into the lives of super-fans. It tells a tale of hope, anticipation, disappointments, and passion that goes beyond just the love for a football team.

If you’re a sports fan, you will identify with the highs and lows that come with committing to a team. And if you’re not a sports fan, Maybe Next Year might just make you understand why millions of people around the world are. This film is a homage to fans everywhere, a testament to their never-dying spirit and passionate dedication. Football is just the medium; the heart of the story is its people and their journey of unwavering faith. In their joy, despair, tantrums, and celebrations, the fans, much like the film, epitomize that ‘the game is about glory’.

Maybe Next Year is a touching, relatable, and captivating film that offers a fresh take on fandom and the broader virtues woven around it. Whether you're a sports enthusiast or not, this movie's honest narrative will tug at your heartstrings and serve as a reminder of the beautiful human spirit that unites us in times of collective triumph or despair.