Jean van de Velde’s 1997 film All Stars went on to become a successful television series, spawned remakes in Belgium, Spain and the UK, and with a sequel on the way is well established in the popular canon of Dutch films.

The All Stars are an amateur soccer team who have played together since elementary school and are now approaching their commemorative 500th match. However, numbers for the team have started to dwindle as each member’s life has pulled him away from their childhood friends. Mark’s girlfriend is expecting a baby. Willem sneaks out of the house to play evading the accusing looks of his wife and children. Johnny must look after his elderly father who was once coach of the team, and captain Bram has a secret he can’t share even with his closets friends.

All Stars was originally selected as The Netherlands’ 1997 entrant to the American Academy Awards but the makers voluntarily ceded their place to the film Karakter, which went on to win.