Year: 2006

Director: Jafar Panahi

Certificate: PG

Screening date: Thursday, 20th March, 2008

Summary: In Iran, women are not allowed entry into football grounds. This film follows a clutch of disguised female fans who are corralled into a pen for trying to get into the men only World Cup qualifier against Bahrain. Offside recalls the work of Ken Loach, in that the humour and social critique emerge from the predicaments of the characters. Filmed at the actual stadium on the day of the actual match, the action subtly ridicules gender cliches while exploring town-and-country rivalries and the unifying power of sport.
A quietly intelligent and humorous alternative look at football, pop culture and the position of women.

Reviews: This is one of those very rare films that, with no very obvious and coercive narrative structure, simply goes with its own self-created flow, and never looks pointless or directionless... a quietly intelligent and humorous alternative look at football, pop culture and the position of women."
The Guardian - Peter Bradshaw