Netflix Unveils Doc About Spain’s World Cup Kissing Scandal, ‘It’s All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football’
Netflix Spain has unveiled its next feature documentary, “It’s All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football” (“#SeAcabó: Diario de las campeonas”), which will premiere on the platform worldwide on Nov. 1.
In the film, key figures from the Spanish National Team’s incredible run are brought together for the first time to revisit the turbulent years leading up to the 2023 World Cup, the incredible success they had at a tournament where they were consistently the best team, and the unfortunate fallout forced upon them by the very public inappropriate actions of one man.
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Players appearing in the documentary include Jenni Hermoso, Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes, 2023 Balon dór winner Aitana Bonmatí, Olga Carmona, Teresa Abelleira, Ivana Andrés, Laia Codina, Sandra Pa?os and Lola Gallardo.
After Spain beat England in the World Cup final, now-disgraced former president of the Royal Spanish Football Association, Luis Rubiales, handed out winners medals to the players. He was overly affectionate with several, and sparked outrage when he kissed Jennifer Hermoso on the lips.
During an Instagram livestream after the game, Hermoso said that the kiss was unwanted and unappreciated. Rubiales’ actions quickly dominated headlines in Spain and around the world, eventually leading to his dismissal, but not before he and his family embarked on a wildly melodramatic media tour in which he refused to resign or take accountability for his actions and his mother threatened a hunger strike from inside her local church.
In weeks and months following the final, an organic social media campaign – #SeAcabó – went viral in Spain, sparked by the furor over the unwanted kiss. The phrase “Se acabó,” which translates to “It’s over,” was introduced by Alexia Putellas, one of the greatest players the game has ever seen, when she and other players announced they would not return to the national team if there wasn’t a change in leadership. The movement quickly caught on, and the hashtag was used by athletes around the world, the UN, the Spanish government and even sewn onto the Seville men’s team shirts. #SeAcabó was also used by non-athletes who wanted to speak publicly about abuse and bullying they’ve faced in their own lives.
The film’s director, Joanna Pardos, said in a release: “The players recount the experiences they have lived over the past year from a place they’ve never spoken from before. It’s the first time they’re discussing this for many of them. It’s a privilege to have such personal testimonies of a milestone that has marked a before and after in the sports and social history of our country.”
“It’s All Over” is produced by You First Originals, a global talent, sports, and entertainment management company that has produced several original titles over the past two years, including “Ona Carbonell. Empezar de nuevo” for Rakuten TV, “11 Shots” for HBO Max and “Alexia: Labor Omnia Vincit” for Amazon Prime Video, the latter scoring an international Emmy nomination.
Executive co-producers Javier Martínez and Luis Miguel Calvo said: “This is the story of how a group of exceptional women not only transformed the sport they love but also challenged and changed social perceptions and structures, inspiring future generations to fight for equality and recognition. It is a chronicle of resilience, passion, and triumph in the face of adversity, marking a milestone in the fight for equality in sports and society.”
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