Ange & The Boss: Celebrating Puskas and Postecoglou at the Greek Film Festival

Over the past week, the new sports documentary Ange & The Boss premiered to sold-out audiences in Sydney and Melbourne as part of the Greek Film Festival. Management at Melbourne’s Astor Cinema noted that it was the first sell-out event at the venue in years.

Ange & The Boss focuses on the legendary Hungarian striker Ferenc Puskas, known for his remarkable career with Real Madrid and the Hungarian national team, where he scored 83 goals in 84 international matches. As current Tottenham Manager Ange Postecoglou states at the film's outset, “If you’re conducting a poll of 100 journalists…90% would include him in the top ten players of the last century.”

However, this documentary shifts the spotlight from Puskas's illustrious career to the later years of his life. In the late 1980s, he settled in Melbourne, where he began coaching clinics and a junior team in Keysborough. Eventually, he found his way to South Melbourne Hellas, where Postecoglou captained the team to a dramatic championship win in 1991.

Director-producer Tony Wilson shared, “When I learned about this story ten years ago, I was shocked that I hadn’t heard of it before. Puskas living in Australia should have been front-page news! I figured if I didn’t know, many others wouldn’t, making it a compelling subject for a documentary.”

Co-director Cam Fink added, “Interviewing the players was a joy; the love for Puskas and that magical era remains strong.”

The audience at the Astor certainly shared that sentiment. Ange & The Boss is filled with amusing anecdotes about food, training philosophies, and the unique experiences of driving the legendary Puskas around in his 200B. The documentary also addresses significant historical events, such as the 1956 Hungarian revolution and the Greek migration of the 1950s and 60s. Attendees, including many from the Greek and other migrant communities, felt emotional as they watched archival footage of their ancestors seeking new lives in Australia. A poignant moment featured a young Postecoglou with his immigration number card.

Melbourne Greek Community President Bill Papastergiadis, also chairman of South Melbourne Hellas, emphasized the film’s broader message about community. He remarked, “This story transcends football. It highlights the migrant experience—the challenges and successes—and showcases how migrants from Greece transformed the Australian landscape. This reflects the strength of our multicultural society.”

Following the screening, a large group participated in a “Hi Ange” selfie, sending greetings to Postecoglou in London.

Socceroos and South Melbourne legends Paul Trimboli and Miki Petersen joined the Q&A session, keeping the audience engaged. Petersen described the Puskas era as “magical,” a sentiment echoed by Trimboli, who recounted Puskas's relaxed demeanour and encouraging pre-game advice: “Don’t make it any nervous. Don’t need it!”

As the event wrapped up, former Puskas-era South players, including Peter Tsolakis and Kimon Taliadoris, gathered on stage to celebrate their shared memories. The foyer was excited as attendees sought autographs and expressed their hopes for future screenings, asking, “How can we show this to our parents? When will it be on again?”

While the filmmakers face challenges with licensing fees for broader distribution, the enthusiastic response to the premiere suggests that Ange & The Boss is set to resonate with audiences worldwide. The documentary will have one final screening at the Greek Film Festival on Saturday at 4 PM at Palace Balwyn.