Madrid (EFE).- Javier Fesser gives a twist to the unique universe of “Campeones” in its second part, “CampeoneX”, thanks to the addition to the cast of disabled actors of a young star of the virtual world, Brianeitor2002, whose life nourishes the script and serves to speak “of values and sportsmanship”.
“I’m sure that, after seeing this film, no one will question what a person like Brian looks like on a track team, astronauts, or whatever, because there are people like the actors who are here who are the perfect example that nothing is impossible,” Fesser said.
Brianeitor2002, the new protagonist
Because this new protagonist is the famous “gamer” and “streamer” Brianeitor2002, who has more than three million followers on social networks, a 21-year-old with degenerative muscular atrophy from birth, which only allows him to move two fingers.
Taking advantage of the possibility of bringing together the entire cast with the producers, Álvaro Longoria (Morena Films) and Luis Manso (Películas Pendelton), Universal Pictures has organized a press conference in Madrid today to present this family comedy, which will hit theaters on August 18.
Although the film is a continuation of the extraordinary “Campeones”, the film with which Fesser won the Goya for Best Film in 2019, just like one of its actors, Jesús Vidal, as Breakthrough Actor, the change in its title from “s” to an “X” is quite a declaration of intent, since the boys will now be champions, but of the virtual space.
A field that is one of the specialties of Brianeitor2002, who -just as happens in the film- is stopped on the street to ask for photos and autographs.
“They ask me for a lot of photos, but whatever the number, they are all worth it, to be thanked, admired, respected, even told that they love you, that’s the best thing about fame,” concludes the youtuber.
functional disability
Finding Brian was complicated, Fesser confessed, who was clear about the derivation towards functional disability: “we opened the fan to this world of labels to try to erase them,” he said.
It was the son of the screenwriter Athenea Mata, who is eleven years old, who told them about this “crack”. They saw it on TicTok and within a week, Brian was working with them.
At the narrative level, “CampeoneX” has conflicts, but the emotions -explains the director- are closely related to “who is Brian”, a “great actor” who “has given a performance full of nuances, emotion and humor, and who dismantles any preconceived idea of disability”.
“I think this film can also help people see that the world of videogames is not just about taking the console and that’s it -says Brianeitor-, it can be a job, a hobby or serve as a distraction for many people with disabilities. Now it’s my job, but before it helped me have fun because I couldn’t go play ball”.
“The world of videogames associated with sport seemed like a great opportunity to talk about values and sportsmanship again,” said the director, winner of four Goyas.
“CampeoneX”, repeats the cast of the first
“CampeoneX” has practically the same cast as the first, which is joined by Brianeitor, Ángel Medina, Jelen García, Elisa Hipólito and Claudia Fesser, as well as Carolina Rubio.
The actors have agreed to be happy and proud to have done this second part, and willing to shoot a third. Some have even claimed “from now on” the attention of academics so that they give them a Goya, or an Oscar, if the case arises.
The boys from the club “Los Amigos” have not played basketball for two years due to a sanction that fell on them for an unsportsmanlike act; Old Julio gets Cecila to coach the team, but ends up signing them up for track. From there to how they manage to be ‘champions’ again are a couple of hilarious hours recommended for all audiences.