Our very own Maduka Okoye was a standout guest at the Venice Film Festival.
The Nigerian goalkeeper is one of the main figures in the documentary film “Il Sogno non ha colore” (the dream has no colour), produced by Wonder Cinema and Rai Cinema in collaboration with the Lega Serie A, with Seydou, already the star of the successful film “Io Capitano”, as the lead actor.
The documentary features several Serie A players and focuses on the theme of integration and the fight against racism, an area in which Udinese and everyone linked to the club have always been a symbol, with a historically multicultural squad that has been warmly welcomed across Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Maduka shared his experience of great integration in our region and the club, and was the only footballer to attend the premiere on Monday afternoon at the Sala Parini as part of the Venice Film Festival.
For Okoye, it was a red carpet experience alongside the film’s star, Seydou, and a wonderful evening that shone a light on the commitment to integration, not only by Udinese but also by the Lega Serie A and the Italian football movement.
Here’s what he had to say:
"For me, this is a new world, but I am very happy. I must thank Udinese and Serie A for this opportunity.
“This project is very important and I’m delighted to have participated in it to deliver a strong message on the theme of integration and to keep racism out of sport.
“As footballers, we must use our social media and our popularity to raise awareness on this issue, starting with children. I have never had any such problem in Udine. We are very happy here and this is a multicultural club and a welcoming city. I feel at home in Udine.
“The world of cinema fascinates me. It was wonderful to work with Seydou and his team. My favourite actor, after Seydou, is Denzel Washington.”