David Beckham graciously greeted his fans as he strolled down the verdant carpet at the Earthshot Prize Awards in Boston last Friday.
The release of the documentary "Beckham" has sparked a frenzy of stories about the lives of David and Victoria Beckham, dominating online conversations.
The four-part docuseries delves into the soccer star's meteoric career, offering glimpses into intimate family moments. It also candidly unveils Posh Spice's revelations about the challenges faced during her 24-year marriage to David.
Director Fisher Stevens, reflecting on David's character in the documentary, quipped, "I don't think he ever sat down for more than 20 minutes in his life and talked about himself."
One standout moment that sent the internet into a frenzy was when David Beckham spontaneously called out his wife for claiming she had a "working-class" upbringing during an unscripted segment. Surprisingly, David was not initially intended to be present during this candid exchange.
Stevens humorously recounted the incident: "It was our initial interview with Victoria — and, honestly, I had no inkling that David was eavesdropping. He was supposed to be taking his daughter Harper to school. I guess he returned and decided to eavesdrop on the interview."
He further elaborated, "My excellent cameraman quickly shifted his focus to David's reaction as he entered the room unexpectedly. I knew we had something special on our hands.
However, I had to gently nudge David and request he exit the scene. I said, 'Come on, buddy, you've got to step out and let me have a chat with your wife.' Nonetheless, I'm extremely pleased with the outcome."
Stevens, a distinguished documentarian and actor, revealed that it was David Beckham's enthusiasm for the project that sealed the deal: "When Beckham approached me, saying, 'I want to do this,' I was sold."
However, crafting the documentary was not without its challenges. Stevens emphasized the need for a unique approach to the project, tailored to make David feel comfortable. He devoted considerable time to build a rapport with the soccer icon.
In contrast, Stevens noted that Victoria, known as Posh Spice, approached the interviews differently, displaying more ease in expressing herself. "Victoria is much more adept at articulating her thoughts, emotions, and feelings," he observed.
Reflecting on David's personality, Stevens explained that the soccer legend often keeps his emotions under wraps, a common trait among British individuals. "David has a tendency to be reserved when it comes to discussing his life and emotions, which differs from the more expressive American approach," Stevens continued.
Notably, Beckham's production company, Studio 99, played an integral role in the documentary. Despite David's involvement as the subject and a producer, Stevens had the final say on the content that made it to the final cut. This presented a challenging situation for Beckham.
In the filmmaker's words, "I insisted that if we were going to do this, we had to explore every aspect of his life, both the highs and the lows. Certain segments, particularly those related to his time in Madrid in 2003 and tabloid controversies, proved to be emotionally taxing for him."
One noteworthy exclusion from the documentary was footage related to David recounting his involvement with the Qatar World Cup. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Beckham faced criticism from the LGBTQ community for his role as an ambassador to the event, considering the host nation's human rights record.
Stevens also expressed his astonishment at the level of abuse directed at the Beckhams, particularly David, following the infamous red card incident during the 1998 World Cup. Even in Los Angeles, where they relocated, they faced a barrage of criticism. However, Stevens commended David for his resilience and ability to navigate these challenges.
"The abuse they endured was beyond belief," Stevens noted. "David had explained to me his experiences before we embarked on this project, but I was astounded by the extent of the vitriol directed at him wherever he went. But what's truly remarkable is his ability to turn the situation around. Not many individuals possess the resilience David displayed."
Stevens concluded by shedding light on Beckham's compulsive behavior and his unwavering commitment to giving his all to everything he takes on. Whether it's mastering the art of beekeeping, culinary excellence, or his obsession with cleanliness and order, David's determination is evident in every facet of his life.
"I had to persuade him to allow us to capture some of these aspects, as he was initially hesitant," Stevens added.