A sport escapes the imagination of JK Rowling to be played on the fields of college campuses across the world.
Few recent literary series have achieved the global popularity that met HARRY POTTER. Thanks in large part to the successful film adaptations, Rowling’s tales came to life for younger and older readers alike, allowing a glimpse into a secret world of wizards with their own schools of witchcraft, battles with dark forces, and even a popular competitive contact sport – Quidditch, a chaotic team game played on flying broomsticks. First-time feature director Farzad Nikbakht Sangari explores the Muggle (non-magic, for those unfamiliar with the series) version of the sport, which has quickly spread to hundreds of other campuses in just the past eight years. Sangari follows UCLA’s quidditch team as they make a run for the Quidditch World Cup against reigning champions Middlebury College, where the real-world version of the game was first developed by fans in 2005.
Sangari’s Kickstarter campaign for finishing funds is heading into its final two weeks. With nearly 60% of his goal left to go, he can use the help of interested readers. To learn more, check out the project’s Facebook page.
Films like Josh Koury’s WE ARE WIZARDS have already demonstrated the impact of the HARRY POTTER series on fans. Sangari’s film, while featuring a fair number of the series’ fans, goes beyond fandom to show how Rowling’s ideas have permeated into pop culture and taken on a life of their own. Muggles Quidditch isn’t simply the domain of fans acting out a beloved series of books and films, but instead the transformation of one of its concepts into a real-world, stand-alone activity. Featuring likeable, underdog protagonists, and a welcome message of inclusion and community, the film promises to engage both fans and non-fans of Rowling’s world alike.
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