This Thursday, 20th June at 6.30 p.m. the Cinephile Film Club will be screening the Iranian film, Offside (90 mins, with English subtitles), directed by Jafar Panahi. It won the Jury Grand Prix at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2006. Even though the entire film happens during a football match, it has less to do with the game and more about a group of women trying to get into the stadium to watch football.
One of the most important filmmakers of the generation, Jafar Panahi’s lightweight comedy is also a powerful social commentary about women. They are barred from entering a stadium to watch any sport involving men, but some insist on finding their way in, even if they have to disguise themselves as male.
Once they get there, it leads to more tragic-comic situations – for instance, a lady wants to use the rest room but there are no restrooms for ladies since they are not meant to be there in the first place. The film was shot on location back then, during the World Cup qualifier in Iran. The Euro Cup fever is just picking up but this is a remarkable film for all seasons.
