Viva Los Bears

In Bournemouth on England’s south coast, a baseball team brings together people with different histories and backgrounds. Directed by Mike Coggan, Viva Los Bears follows the club founded by Jose Lopez and Wendoly Gonzalez and asks what it means to build a community around a familiar sport far from home.

The team faces an unexpected challenge: entering the national league at a higher level than anticipated. Training, away games and the difficulties of the season are woven together with players’ jobs and daily commitments. A match result also involves the time, resources and relationships needed to keep the group together.

Alongside club life, individual journeys come into view. Jose speaks about his own baseball experience and the interruption of his professional career after a health emergency; teammates discuss migration, family and returning to sport. Their voices give the field a meaning beyond the league table.

A day dedicated to the Venezuelan community brings families, players and children together on the field. Activities with younger people appear alongside the games: baseball is both a practice to pass on and a way to meet.

The British documentary follows the Bears both as a team and as a meeting place for different generations. The version submitted to the Festival runs for approximately one hour and nine minutes.