Soccer legend David Beckham opens up about his Emmy award-winning Netflix documentary, "Beckham," revealing that despite its critical acclaim, he "hated almost every moment of making it." The four-part documentary delves into Beckham's personal life and legendary soccer career, but the process proved to be emotionally challenging for both Beckham and his family.
David Beckham's Netflix documentary, "Beckham," has garnered widespread recognition for its intimate portrayal of the soccer legend's life and career. However, behind the scenes, Beckham himself reveals that the making of the documentary was a far from enjoyable experience.
David Beckham's Documentary: A Love-Hate Relationship
In an interview with Variety, Beckham confessed, "I hated almost every moment of making it." The documentary, which was broken down into four parts last year, took an in-depth look at Beckham's personal life with his wife and children, as well as his extraordinary soccer journey, from his early days at Manchester United to his retirement with Paris Saint-Germain in 2013.
Beckham's initial reluctance to participate in the documentary was rooted in a deep-seated nervousness about reliving both the triumphs and tribulations of his career. "It worried me and it made me nervous and it made Victoria nervous," Beckham said. However, he eventually agreed, recognizing the value of capturing his story for posterity, particularly in light of the explosion of documentary popularity during the pandemic.
David Beckham's Documentary: A Love-Hate Relationship
The documentary, produced by Beckham's own Studio 99, delves into the highs and lows of Beckham's personal and professional life, exploring both his close family relationships and the controversies that have plagued his career. Beckham credits director Fisher Stevens with capturing the raw and honest nature of his experiences.
"When I met Fisher, I knew this is the man that will make me feel really uncomfortable and I knew I had to feel uncomfortable to make the documentary we made," Beckham explained. "I didn't want someone to sugarcoat my life's journey up to that point."
David Beckham's Documentary: A Love-Hate Relationship
While Beckham ultimately "loved the results" of the documentary, the process of making it was a deeply challenging one. The documentary forced him to confront and relive traumatic moments on and off the field, causing both him and his family significant emotional distress.
Some critics have pointed out the lack of coverage in the documentary regarding Beckham's rumored affair with his former assistant Rebecca Loos, who alleged in 2004 that they had a four-month affair during Beckham's time at Real Madrid. Beckham maintains that the rumors were "ludicrous," but some doubts linger.
Despite these criticisms, the documentary's critical acclaim is a testament to its quality and impact. Beckham outsourced the entire editing process to Stevens, trusting him to convey his story with authenticity and sensitivity.
Beckham's Studio 99 is currently working on another untitled documentary with Netflix, this time focusing on his wife Victoria's life and journey. Beckham's openness in sharing his own story has set the stage for a similarly revealing and compelling documentary about his wife's extraordinary life and career.
