A must see documentary: Football Undercover

Today, Jalila (another WPS Intern) and I took a break from the day to head to a movie theater in San Francisco's Castro district. The film, Football Undercover, was part of the Berlin and Beyond Film Festival. We attended to watch the film and rep WPS to the movie goers.

I felt compelled to see this film for one reason, it incorporated two major aspects of who I am, Soccer and Social Activism. The movie itself you can say was a movement in social activism, and a film that made you proud through the rough truth.

Football undercover is the story of women's soccer. A German women's team goes on an adventure to play the Iranian National Team, but only after some setbacks, speed bumps and determination. The event is real and made history, as it was the first time the Iranian women's national team was able to play a home game. The first time ever. In a country where women are not allowed into soccer stadiums and where they must play with head scarves on and their bodies completely covered, they don't budge. They continue to play. This film shows how the German team travels to Iran but must follow the Iranian tradition, also wearing head scarves. The soccer match itself comes together and it undoubtedly will crack a smile on your face. The small stadium is filled with women, and ONLY women. For the first time, men could not get in. The women in the stands cheered, danced and made you feel like you were missing out because you were not standing beside them as Iran played their first home match. I wanted to be there as it looked like a lot of fun.
The women cheering did get reprimanded though, for dancing and cheering. They yelled back claiming men can do it so it is also their "human right" to be in that stadium cheering.


It's a touching movie and made me proud to be a woman, to be a soccer player and to be continuously fighting in my feminist ways. This movie is about soccer but its bigger than that. Soccer, around the world is NOT just a sport and never has been. For many cultures soccer is life. Simply put. It is the way a community connects, a common bond or a future aspiration. In many countries I am sure young kids would say they want to be Soccer Players more than anything else when they grow up. In Iran, women's soccer is not just a past time as a result of god given skill. It is an aspiration, an escape and a hope for equality.


As this new league is launching in America, it forced me to rethink what I have here in this country. I have been playing soccer for years, free. I have watched soccer games in stadiums around the world, as a woman. I take for granted the freedom and ease that comes with this country. I can scream all I want at a soccer game and I can wear my hair as I please on the field. Although women's sports may not be equal to that of men in this country, we have come a long way. We have made women's sports do-able, as they should be. Those girls in Iran are in love with the game of soccer, but may never have a chance to play for a living or play at all. We have that chance. I realize as time goes on and we pass the word on....they may get that chance. WPS may be host to the first Iranian National team player.


If you are a fan of women's soccer, try and get a hold of this film. It's worth it. And more so, it's vital.

More info:

Official Site: Football Undercover


Movie Trailer
Movie Trailer 2

NPR Blog: Football Undercover

Full Summary: Football Undercover

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