Mercenary (2016 film)

Mercenary is a 2016 French drama film directed by Sacha Wolff. The film explores themes of identity, exploitation, and cultural displacement through the story of Soane, a young Wallisian rugby player from New Caledonia. Lacking opportunities on his native island, Soane is lured to mainland France with the promise of a professional rugby career. He is effectively sold by his father to a struggling club in France.

The narrative follows Soane as he navigates the challenges of professional sports in a foreign land, confronting racism, cultural differences, and the pressures to succeed. He struggles to adapt to the harsh realities of his new environment and the expectations placed upon him, both by the club and by his own family back home. Soane's journey highlights the exploitation inherent in the recruitment of young athletes from underprivileged communities and the personal cost of pursuing athletic dreams in a competitive and often unforgiving industry. The film portrays the complex dynamics between family obligation, personal ambition, and the realities of a globalized sport.