Pelada

Hidden from the professional arenas, dazzling lights, and pristine fields, there’s an alternative side to soccer. In backstreets, narrow lanes, and on concrete surfaces, games are creatively assembled. Each nation has its unique term for this activity. Americans refer to it as “pick-up soccer.” In Trinidad, they call it “taking a sweat.” The English use the phrase “having a kick-about.” In Brazil, the term is “pelada,” meaning “naked”—soccer in its purest form. This is the version of the sport played by anyone, anywhere, offering insights into global lives. The documentary “Pelada” trails Luke and Gwendolyn, two ex-college soccer stars who didn’t quite go pro. Refusing to let go of their love for the game, they journey across the world, pursuing their passion. From inmates playing in Bolivia to clandestine distillers in Kenya, freestyle artists in China to women in Iran playing in hijabs, “Pelada” shares the stories of people united by soccer. **Watch Pelada now.** Find “Pelada (2010)” for free streaming on 123Movies or cineby, and enjoy this inspiring documentary online.