CONTENT. Kicking Cultures. Background. The Team. Football in China. The Documentary. The Story. Characters. Contact

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2 CONTENT Background The Team Football in China The Documentary The Story Characters Contact 2

3 BACKGROUND Experience Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Amsterdam Eenhoorn LLC, U.S.A European Chamber of Commerce in China, Chongqing Education MSc Finance & Investments - Rotterdam School of Management 2011 Southwestern University of Finance and Economics Chengdu BSc Business Administration - Erasmus University Rotterdam Beijing Language & Culture University Suddenly Chinese football is hot all over the world. China's presence on the world political and economic stage has increased for many years. Yet, for many it remains a mysterious and opaque country. I, Michiel Ebbing, have lived and worked in China for several years and more recently I was employed by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, based in Amsterdam. Here I was exposed to the many misperceptions and misunderstandings that occur on a daily basis in the Chinese-European environment, both in business and personal life. I personally feel there is a strong disconnect between Europe's perception of China versus what China really is. I believe this is partly due to lack of initiative from individual people to learn more about China, although obviously the language barrier creates a large first hurdle. However, the lack of knowledge (or biased knowledge) of China can also be attributed to the media coverage on China, which often is somewhat limited and subjective. Having followed the development of football in China first hand, it was clear to me that football would be a great way to attract the attention of a large crowd. Eventually the goal of the project is to challenge people's opinions about China by shedding a different light on China. Subsequently, this could trigger their interest in other aspects of China and it offers an opportunity to bridge the cultural differences. 3

4 THE TEAM B.V. - Founded by Michiel Ebbing in 2016, the company will produce a documentary about Chinese football. Michiel has been a China enthusiast since his first introduction to the country in The cultural differences he has encountered throughout his time living and working in China inspired him to start the 'Kicking Cultures' project. The goal of is to improve mutual understanding between China and Europe through sports. Yiro B.V. - Neal Petersen and Joris Boerhof run a company specialised in producing online video content, with a special focus on sports. FC Afkicken is currently their most successful show, discussing everything that happens in football in multiple formats on YouTube. The founders obtained abundant experience and an extensive network while working in the Dutch TV industry for many years. They are the coproducer of the documentary. Michel Mölder Photography - Michel Mölder is an Amsterdam based cameraman, photographer and cinematographer. He started his career in 2004, working as a cameraman for Dutch television. Influenced by the geeky, technical side of filming and lighting he is still crazy about the magic of video but also became intrigued by the impact of the perfect still frame. He has never been into football, but somehow it played a dominant role throughout his career. Michel is responsible for catching the Chinese football reform on film. 4

5 FOOTBALL IN CHINA With our documentary we will shed light on the surprising developments in Chinese football. The Chinese Ministry of Education recently declared football a compulsory part of the national curriculum and pledged to build tens of thousands of football schools and football pitches. In addition, they brought over thousands of foreign soccer coaches, adopted foreign training systems, while sending Chinese PE teachers for further study overseas at the same time. The attention of the Western world was attracted by the transfers of some of the best players from Europe to play in the Chinese Super League with astronomic salaries competing even with the richest clubs in Europe. In addition, many top European leagues have seen some of their largest clubs being bought by Chinese investors. The question remains if this will have the desired impact: the academic pressure, the children s safety, the bad reputation of the game in China, and pollution are all reasons for Chinese parents to refrain their children from playing football. The answer to whether China will be successful in football lies within the capability of Chinese culture to adopt football as their own. Nevertheless President Xi Jinping is determined China can fulfil his three dreams: 1. Qualify for another World Cup 2. Host a World Cup 3. Win the World Cup 5

6 THE DOCUMENTARY After a research period of 12 months that started in 2015, we traveled to China with our film crew twice, in October 2016 and in May Our documentary project was officially approved by the Chinese government, resulting in J-2 Visa accreditation for our crew. In China we had the opportunity to follow local Chinese children and adults, visit schools, conduct interviews with professors, doctors, football trainers, government officials and other people responsible for the football reform. The documentary is shot in Beijing and Dengfeng (Shaolin Temple). As an independent production company, B.V. has fully funded the production expenses. 6

7 THE STORY Li Shitao Although Tao grew up poor, football got him into Peking University, a top university in China. Tao was a talented player and got scouted not only for being skilled, but also because of his physique characteristics; Tao had "football legs. Though graduating with a law degree, Tao only wanted one thing: become a professional football player. After using all of his connections to get a shot at a professional football club in China, he got in. Soon his football dream shattered in pieces. He realised the Chinese football environment was so rotten, he never wanted to be part of it again. His second career path didn t last longer either, quitting his desk job practising Chinese Law after just a few months. Eventually he found his true calling: teaching. He taught English to all sorts of company employees and eventually to children. One day, some of the parents of these children found out he used to be a talented football player and asked him if he could give their kids training. This made him chase a new dream, setting up his own football club: The Beijing Magpies. Since Tao started his coaching career, many opportunities presented themselves. Many business people tried to cooperate or collaborate with him. Money has never and will never be his driver, which for many is the only reason to enter the football business. However, realising his football dream in China without state support or money turns out to be close to impossible. 7

8 CHARACTERS Children - We follow Sam (7) and Peter (12) in the their daily lives. The boys play football together for the Beijing Magpies, the team that Li Shitao is coaching. Beijing has quickly developed into a modern metropolis, which means the new generation is growing up in a different society than their parents. Parents - We will talk to several parents about the football environment in China, but also about the educational system in China. How do they raise their kids to be healthy, intelligent, successful individuals. Experts In addition to the the Beijing Magpies story, experts form different fields will provide their expertise in order to explain the fast changing environment in China. Sports industry, politics, climate, economics, culture, all contribute to the challenges and opportunities that football currently entails. Among the experts are: Tom Byer - Advisor Chinese Ministry of Education Football Program Professor Sun - Peking University Social Medicine and Health Education Cai Wei - Runs largest amateur youth football club in Beijing: Guoao Yueye 8

9 CONTACT Michiel Ebbing - 艾斌 mebbing@kickingcultures.com