IL CONFORMISTA directed by Bernardo Bertolucci (Italy, 1970)
In the 1970s, as I teenager, I conformed to my family expectations by supporting Walsall Football Club (which, for the benefit of American readers, is a ‘soccer’ team!).
Their stadium, Fellow’s Park, was walking distance from my grandmother’s home and the routine was that, every other Saturday afternoon, my mom and dad would drop me off outside the stadium. I would go to the match and then have egg and chips at Gran’s. My two elder brothers had done the same at my age.
For about three seasons I only missed a handful of home games despite the fact that Walsall were not, and still aren’t, a prestigious team. They survive in the lower divisions with moments of glory confined to the occasional good run in the FA Cup.My support was not dependant on them winning trophies but based on a loyalty that meant I stuck by them through thick and thin (mostly the latter!).
Most of my school friends claimed to be supporters of big teams like Manchester United or Arsenal but only ever watched their heroes on Match of the Day. They almost never went to actual games and I always told them that what they were doing was ‘following’ the team, not supporting them.
It’s very easy to cheer for a winning side and pledging allegiance to a soccer team can be broadly likened to maintaining a steadfast belief in a political cause.This is by way of a tenuous link to Bertolucci’s movie which is set in the 1930s. Continue reading
