Media graduate's 'brilliant' film of Liverpool football icon

If you thought interviews with footballers were dull and predictable, think again.

A “thoroughly brilliant” profile of Liverpool FC’s Trent Alexander-Arnold by an LJMU student looks at the young hero’s life in a fresh manner, at once intimate and personal.

The video interview ‘Behind the Dream’ which gives fans a rare glimpse of the makings of a star, was filmed before lockdown and has already been viewed more than 250,000 times on YouTube.

It was written and created by Media, Culture, Communication BA student Rubi Deschamps, who gained exclusive access to LFC Academy, Trent’s family and friends and is described as a must-watch for all fans of the English champions by This is Anfield website and “a magnificent look at one of Liverpool Football Club’s modern-day heroes.”

Exclusive access

Rubi, a Liverpudlian, who hopes to become a broadcaster or media presenter after graduating this month, produced the 20-minute film for her final-year project.

She says: “In ‘Behind the Dream’, I wanted to create a sense of nostalgia and relatability between the player and the viewers. No-one else really sees the real Alexander-Arnold which is why I wanted to show how his friends and family know him.”

She starts in the park he grew up playing in, across the road from his childhood home, interviews the man who scouted him, his old academy teachers and coaches and, whilst driving around his neighbourhood, chats about music, life, fame and social pressure. Her film ends at the Alexander-Arnold house where she speak to his friends and family, and his cousin Bianca Gill who describes him as just a ‘normal lad’.

Media contacts

Rubi didn’t just write the script, she enabled the film by hiring a production team, which included professional contacts who worked for free.

“We shot the film in one day, a 16-hour shoot but we knew it was worth it. YouTube was always the designated launch platform because it has free global accessibility and the film has gained significant views and promotion on Alexander-Arnold’s social media.”

Rubi says she has always had an artistic background, moving between art, media and modelling, and comes from a sports driven family – her mum was a PE teacher and brother an international gymnast. A decent footballer herself for Liverpool and Everton schoolgirls, she quit after a serious injury.

Not enough women

Now she is determined as a woman of colour to add her voice to the industry: “This film has shaken up some people within the media and sports journalism.

“I respect anyone for what they have achieved and like Trent said in the film, ‘we’re all born the same’. But there are not enough women in control of productions, or creative direction, especially women of colour.

“I hope to be the change and who knows, maybe this is the start."