An ancient judge holds a football trophy in a football drama. (Photo/Shanghai Morning Post)
(ECNS) -- Following China's recent football reform plan and increasing passion for the sport, a number of football-themed TV series and films, some with jaw-dropping plots, are expected to delight local audiences, Shanghai Morning Post reports.
An unofficial list of TV programs about football went viral on the Internet. It showed dozens of shows that would be aired, ranging from young adult dramas, to costumed equivalents, and time-travel series.
The newspaper said five dramas have confirmed filing with the press watchdog, the State General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.
One time-travel series, originally released in 2001, has been remade. It starts by showing a golden boot found in Manchester in the 1990s dating from China's Song Dynasty (960-1279). The drama also ridicules football woes like match-fixing, crooked referees, and illegal gambling.
A TV drama, based on an online novel, tells the story of Zhang Tiehan travelling through time and playing for Manchester United in 2003. In the story, Zhang becomes a worldwide celebrity after beating superstars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Sources also said China Film Group Corporation plans to produce a motivational children's film called "Journal of Football," and hopes to invite Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona to play a role.
Director Chen Guojun said the film would be based on the real story of students at a primary school attached to Tsinghua University. Maradona has been considered to star in the film because he promotes "patriotism, love of family and love of football," it was said.
Han Qiaosheng, a famous Chinese sports reporter and commentator, also joined in the campaign to promote the film "Love of Football", which will be directed by his son and would also show off his trademark commenting style. To increase public attention, the crew also plans to invite current football stars to take part.
This summer, a 35-episode TV series will feature a broken coach leading high school students to win football matches. The story will also include quirky plots of romance at school.
However, China's TV series sector is in dire need of quality scripts according to insiders, the newspaper adds.
