Nice People (korte versie)

Funny feel-good documentary about the first Somali ’Bandy’
(ice hockey) team in the world, consisting of Somali immigrants who live
in the friendly Swedish town of Börlange. While having no ice skating
experience whatsoever the boys wish to compete in the Bandy world
championships in Siberia.

Patrik Andersson, an idealistic local businessman, further develops
the project as a fun way for his somewhat xenophobic fellow countrymen
to become acquainted with the numerous Somali refugees in his hometown.
Together with a former Bandy champion he sets out to prepare the boys
for the ultimate game. This apparently leads to great stress, as he
spends lots of his time ‘relaxing’ in swimming pools, at the barber shop
and in his bathtub. He also puts in a great deal of effort to generate
media attention for his project, despite lacking money and some players
not even having appropriate training gear. It seems virtually impossible
to prepare a group of amateurs in just eight months for a performance
on a world stage, against all odds and with limited financial means. Yet
miracles only happen if you believe in them… A dry-comical and
heart-warming footage of Somalis stumbling on skates, prejudiced locals,
annoying sponsors and enthusiastic supporters from unexpected places.

Nice People is the Swedish documentary version of Cool
Runnings, the hilarious 1993 movie about a Jamaican bobsleigh team
participating in the Olympic Games.