Muchachos: La película de la gente, the documentary on Argentina’s 2022 World Cup win, has hit the milestone of 1 million viewers just a month after its release on December 7, distribution company Star Distribution Latinoamérica announced on its X account.

The film, directed by Jesús Braceras and narrated by Argentine actor Guillermo Francella, tells the story of the historic win from the viewpoint of fans. Inspired by a short story by Argentine writer Hernán Casciari, Muchachos quickly became the most popular release of December 2023. 

Despite being released just three weeks before the end of the year, it quickly became the most watched Argentine production of 2023, making good on its strapline, which translates as “the people’s movie.”

A Pampa Films production, it showcases previously unseen material filmed by FIFA, as well as footage of Argentina fans in the streets and in Qatar, and influencers who were at the Lusail Stadium when the Albiceleste lifted the trophy. 

It is one of the first Argentine movies to be available in 4D, recreating sensations in the cinema that are shown in the movie, like vibration, rain, wind, and lighting.

“I was very excited when they contacted me,” said narrator Francella. “They wanted a voice football fans could identify. They told me the idea and the story is brilliant.”

Muchachos was one of two Qatar 2022 films released in Argentina, the other being Elijo Creer, the official Argentine Football Federation film. Release on the same day, the documentary co-produced by GM, Tronito, Grupo Octubre, and the AFA is an insider account of the country’s footballing triumph as told by the players, narrated by actor Ricardo Darín.

However, it has struggled to capture the public, with 450,000 moviegoers at the time of publication.

— with information from Télam