David Beckham’s journey into documentary filmmaking
A reluctant start
David Beckham, the iconic former England soccer captain, recently shared his apprehensions about diving into the world of documentary filmmaking. His Emmy award-winning documentary, “Beckham”, which premiered last year, was a significant step for him. “It worried me and made me nervous, and it made Victoria nervous too,” Beckham admitted. The four-part series, which quickly became a hit, was a challenging endeavor for him. “I hated almost every moment of making it… it was very difficult,” he confessed.
The motivation behind the documentary
Reflecting on why he decided to create the documentary, Beckham explained, “It took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that I was going to make it, but there were a few reasons why we wanted to make it.” After retiring from football, Beckham wasn’t ready to discuss his career and experiences. However, the pandemic saw a surge in the popularity of documentaries, and with the 10-year anniversary of his retirement approaching, it felt like the right time to tell his story.
Opening up to the world
“As much as people think they know everything about us, they don’t really,” Beckham said. The documentary provided a rare glimpse into his personal life, something he and Victoria had been hesitant to share. “We don’t really let those doors open to our house, but I knew it was the right time to tell the story.”
The making of “Beckham”
Speaking at the Royal Television Society conference in London, Beckham revealed the challenges of finding the right director for the project. After much deliberation, he chose Fisher Stevens, known for his work on “The Cove” and as an actor in “Succession”. “When I met Fisher, I knew this is the man that will make me feel really uncomfortable, and I knew I had to feel uncomfortable to make the documentary we made,” Beckham said.
Despite some criticism for not addressing certain controversial aspects of his life, Beckham emphasized that Stevens had complete creative control. “From Day One, I said, ‘I don’t want to see anything until it comes out.’ I didn’t go into the edit, I didn’t see any cuts. I wanted to let Fisher have that control.”
A look into Victoria’s life
Following the success of “Beckham”, the couple is now working on a new documentary focusing on Victoria. “I’m really excited about this one because she is an amazing woman,” Beckham gushed. “She’s a strong, driven, passionate person who’s gone from being a Spice Girl to being respected in this industry. It’s very tough. She’s worked hard for 18, 19 years on her business, and suddenly she’s having the success she deserves.”
Studio 99’s growing portfolio
Beckham’s production company, Studio 99, has been busy with various projects. The company, run by longtime Beckham colleagues Nicola Howson and David Gardner, has produced several sporting documentaries, including “Fever Pitch: The Battle for the Premier League” on Paramount+ and “Ronnie O’Sullivan: The Edge of Everything”. They also created the Disney+ series “Save Our Squad”, which saw Beckham return to East London to mentor young football players.
“We’ve done so many things and made so many different shows,” Beckham said of the company. “Some are talked about more than others, but they all mean something to us.”
Reflections on the journey
Beckham’s foray into documentary filmmaking has been a journey of self-discovery and storytelling. His willingness to share his personal life and experiences has resonated with audiences worldwide. As he continues to explore new projects, both he and Victoria are set to captivate viewers with their compelling stories and unwavering dedication to their craft.
For those interested in exploring more about the documentaries mentioned, you can watch the trailers and find more information on the following links:
- Beckham
- The Cove
- Succession
- Fever Pitch: The Battle for the Premier League
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: The Edge of Everything
- Save Our Squad
Stay tuned for more updates on their upcoming projects and the fascinating stories they continue to bring to life.