United Passions (2014) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

The film traces FIFA's rise from an obscure institution to a global football power shaped by ambition, expansion, crisis, and controversy.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

An Unknown Federation

The international football governing body is formed but remains almost invisible to the public. Jules Rimet searches for a way to give the organization global significance.

Key Events

• FIFA Formation Proposal Rejected — The English football federation rejects an offer to join the formation of an international football governing body. Location: England
• FIFA Is Founded — An international football governing body is formed despite the English federation's refusal to participate. Location: Paris
• The New Organization Struggles — Years after its formation, FIFA remains almost unknown to the public. Location: FIFA offices
• Uruguay Wins Olympic Football — Uruguay wins the football competition at the 1924 Summer Olympic Games. Location: 1924 Summer Olympics
• Public Mockery Fails — Jules Rimet publicly mocks Uruguay's Olympic victory, but the media does not publish his remarks. Characters: Jules Rimet Location: FIFA public communications
• A Global Tournament Is Proposed — Jules Rimet concludes that FIFA needs a truly international tournament to become publicly visible. Characters: Jules Rimet Location: FIFA meeting

The Uruguay Gamble

Rimet proposes a truly international tournament but faces a severe funding crisis. Enrique Buero's letter and financial support make the Uruguayan hosting plan possible.

Key Events

• A Global Tournament Is Proposed — Jules Rimet concludes that FIFA needs a truly international tournament to become publicly visible. Characters: Jules Rimet Location: FIFA meeting
• Funding Crisis Emerges — A lack of funds brings Jules Rimet close to abandoning plans for the World Cup. Characters: Jules Rimet Location: FIFA offices
• Buero Sends Financial Offer — Enrique Buero sends an unexpected letter offering support for the first World Cup. Characters: Jules Rimet, Enrique Buero Location: FIFA correspondence
• South American Support Secured — Buero's South American ties provide the funding needed to continue organizing the tournament. Characters: Jules Rimet, Enrique Buero Location: FIFA planning offices
• Uruguay Receives Hosting Rights — Jules Rimet and Enrique Buero collaborate to award the first World Cup to Uruguay. Characters: Jules Rimet, Enrique Buero Location: FIFA decision meeting
• First World Cup Begins — The inaugural World Cup is held in Uruguay with support from the FIFA leadership and Buero's network. Characters: Jules Rimet, Enrique Buero Location: Uruguay
• Uruguay Wins Inaugural World Cup — Uruguay wins the first World Cup, validating the international tournament project. Characters: Jules Rimet, Enrique Buero Location: Uruguay

Football Through War

The inaugural tournament succeeds, but FIFA then confronts economic depression, internal disagreement, and world war. The postwar tournaments restore the organization's momentum.

Key Events

• Uruguay Wins Inaugural World Cup — Uruguay wins the first World Cup, validating the international tournament project. Characters: Jules Rimet, Enrique Buero Location: Uruguay
• FIFA Endures Global Crisis — Jules Rimet continues leading FIFA through the Great Depression, looming war, and disagreements among members. Characters: Jules Rimet Location: FIFA headquarters
• The 1938 Tournament Is Organized — Jules Rimet organizes another World Cup in 1938 before wartime conditions halt later editions. Characters: Jules Rimet Location: International football venues
• Wartime Tournaments Cancelled — World War II prevents the planned 1942 and 1946 World Cups from taking place. Characters: Jules Rimet Location: FIFA administration
• Postwar World Cups Return — After the war, Jules Rimet organizes the 1950 and 1954 World Cups. Characters: Jules Rimet Location: International football venues
• FIFA Expands Worldwide — FIFA and the World Cup grow significantly as many new members join from different parts of the world. Characters: Sepp Blatter Location: FIFA headquarters

Power and Corruption

FIFA expands internationally and Sepp Blatter rises to the presidency after years of determined work. He inherits corruption linked to the organization's expansion and launches a controversial campaign against it.

Key Events

• FIFA Expands Worldwide — FIFA and the World Cup grow significantly as many new members join from different parts of the world. Characters: Sepp Blatter Location: FIFA headquarters
• Blatter Rises Through FIFA — Sepp Blatter impresses FIFA leadership through relentless work and eventually becomes FIFA president. Characters: Sepp Blatter Location: FIFA offices
• Corruption Crisis Intensifies — Corruption associated with FIFA's expansion era builds, leaving Sepp Blatter responsible for addressing it. Characters: Sepp Blatter Location: FIFA administration
• Anti-Corruption Campaign Begins — Sepp Blatter threatens to expose corrupt officials unless they support his anti-corruption campaign. Characters: Sepp Blatter Location: FIFA voting assembly
• Blatter Retains Presidency — In the 2006 vote, Blatter retains the presidency after pressuring corrupt members to endorse him. Characters: Sepp Blatter Location: FIFA voting assembly
• South Africa Is Announced — Sepp Blatter announces South Africa as the host nation for the 2010 World Cup. Characters: Sepp Blatter Location: FIFA announcement ceremony

Story Breakdown

• FIFA Takes Shape — The international football organization is created after an important federation rejects participation.
  • Rejected Participation — The English football federation refuses to join the proposed international governing body.
  • Obscure Beginnings — FIFA exists for years without significant public recognition.
• Rimet Seeks Visibility — Jules Rimet tries to transform FIFA from an obscure organization into a visible international institution.
  • Failed Publicity — Rimet's public mockery of Uruguay's Olympic victory is not published by the media.
  • Global Tournament — Rimet decides that a truly international tournament is the best route to public recognition.
• Buero Enables Uruguay — Enrique Buero's unexpected support resolves the financial obstacle threatening the first World Cup.
  • Unexpected Letter — Buero contacts Rimet with an offer of financial support.
  • Hosting Decision — Rimet and Buero collaborate to award the inaugural tournament to Uruguay.
• The Tournament Succeeds — The first World Cup validates the idea of an international football championship.
  • Uruguay Hosts — The inaugural World Cup takes place in Uruguay in 1930.
  • Historic Victory — Uruguay wins the first World Cup.
• FIFA Survives War — FIFA continues through economic depression, political disagreement, and the disruption of global war.
  • 1938 Tournament — Jules Rimet organizes the 1938 World Cup.
  • Postwar Return — The 1950 and 1954 World Cups are organized after the war.
• Expansion Breeds Controversy — FIFA becomes globally larger while leadership succession and corruption create a new institutional crisis.
  • Blatter Rises — Sepp Blatter advances through FIFA and eventually becomes president.
  • Anti-Corruption Vote — Blatter pressures corrupt officials to support his presidency and anti-corruption campaign.
• A Global Symbol — The final announcement presents the World Cup as a worldwide institution with South Africa selected for 2010.
  • Presidency Retained — Blatter remains FIFA president after the 2006 vote.
  • South Africa Chosen — Blatter announces South Africa as the host nation for the 2010 World Cup.

Directed by

Frédéric Auburtin

Key Cast

• Sam Neill — Joao Havelange
• Gérard Depardieu — Jules Rimet
• Tim Roth — Sepp Blatter
• Thomas Kretschmann — Horst Dassler
• Jemima West — Annette Rimet