Substitute

The 2006 World Cup Finals seen through the Super8 camera lens of French midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo, Substitute is the curious antithesis of Douglas Gordon's Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait. Where Gordon presented a master in action, here we see a player's inaction, as Dhorasoo is overlooked for much of the tournament whilst his team reaches the final. Alone in his hotel room, his frustrations become evident, which lead him to become more candid about his position, his relationship with coach Raymond Domenech and with the rest of the squad.

A collaboration between Dhorasoo and the singer, author and video director Fred Poulet, Substitute presents football from a different, artful and original angle, a world away from the culture of Baby Bentleys, poker playing, WAGs and fun with fire extinguishers that fans of the England side or the Premiership might have expected. Instead, Dhorasoo has dark nights of the soul and finds comfort listening to Belle and Sebastian.

Striking and honest, it's no surprise that the film caused some controversy in French sporting circles, and hastened Dhorasoo's retirement from the international game.

Michael Hayden