Football and women in Iran

The UEFA European Women’s Championship is upon us, but there is not much to choose from in terms of women’s football films: Bend it Like Beckham (2002), Gregory’s Girl (1983), and a few others and that’s about it. So let’s rewind to Iran in 2006.

The (Men’s) World Cup qualifier with Bahrain is eagerly awaited by football fans all over the country — the problem, however, is that if you are a woman you cannot attend the match. In Jafar Panahi’sOffside a young woman (played by Shima Mobarak-Shahi), disguises herself as a man and attempts to gain entry to the stadium. She buys a ticket on the black market, but is apprehended by a security guard and locked up with a number of other women all attempting the same ruse.

Iran wins the game one-nil, and while being taken to the police HQ, the vehicle transporting the women is surrounded by noisy, jubilant fans. The military escort are sympathetic and they open the van’s doors and, along with the women, they join the jubilant crowds waving sparklers. Despite much critical acclaim and winning the Silver Bear at the 2006 Berlin Film Festival, the film is banned in Iran.

• Offside is not available to watch online.