Astoria Film Screening Will Relive Greek Soccer 'Miracle'

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Soccer fans looking to relive the shocking triumph of the Greek national soccer team in the 2004 European Championships can get that chance later this month, with a film screening of a new documentary about the victory.

"King Otto," a film about the coach of that now-legendary squad, will be screened 3 p.m. March 27 (a Sunday) at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria.

In a tantalizing twist for Astorians who cheered on that team, several members of the team will be there in-person, for a panel discussion and audience Q&A that will follow the screening. Tickets are available online.

Directed by Christopher Andre Marks, "King Otto" focuses on Otto Rehhagel, the esteemed German coach who took over the less-than-esteemed Greek team in 2001. Three years later, the squad shocked Europe by knocking out heavyweights like France and the Czech Republic en route to a victory over Portugal in that year's UEFA European Football Championship.

"An inspirational human story, King Otto celebrates the value of recognizing each other’s differences and working together to achieve greatness," the museum wrote on its event page.

The team members will already be in New York for the official premiere of "King Otto," happening March 25 at the Museum of Modern Art. (A spokesperson could not say which players would be in attendance, saying more information would be released next week.)

First released in Europe last year, "King Otto" has received strong reviews from critics thus far, boasting a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

"We are thrilled to be showing King Otto, which is a very exciting, well-crafted film," said Jimmy DeMetro, president of the Hellenic Film Society, in a statement. "Coach Otto and the modern-day underdog Greek heroes in this moving film are almost a page out of Greek mythology."

The Astoria screening was organized by the Hellenic Film Society USA, which is based in the neighborhood.

Find more information at the Hellenic Film Society website.