FIFA-funded film about FIFA United Passions tanks at box office

FIFA, the international governing body for soccer that organizes the World Cup, is in the midst of a ground-shaking scandal, with recent arrests of its officials, corruption charges, and the resignation of its president, Sepp Blatter. So it wasn’t exactly the perfect time for United Passions, the FIFA-funded film about itself that portrays its history and current embattled officials, including Blatter, as sympathetic heroes.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, based on reported Rentrak numbers, United Passions made only $607 on Friday and Saturday from 10 theaters. This is a movie that reportedly cost approximately $30 million to make, that premiered at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, that stars Tim Roth (as Blatter), Sam Neill, and Gérard Depardieu. At one Phoenix theater where it played, the film reportedly took in only $9—indicating only one ticket was sold. The film also debuted on VOD rental services, but numbers were not available.

United Passions, which received very little critical attention, stands at a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes with only nine reviews. Among its reviews, critics called it “a squirm-inducing heap of propaganda” and “one of the most unwatchable films in recent memory,” for the way it colors FIFA’s history.

Both John Oliver and Jon Stewart have recently discussed the actual FIFA’s troubled history, including a segment on last night’s Last Week Tonight, streaming on HBO Go and HBO Now.