Offside

Year: 2006

Director: Jafar Panahi

Country: Iran

The year is 2005. 10,000 men wait outside a stadium in Iran to watch the football match between Iran and Bahrain; the match that can send Iran to the World Cup in Germany. Well, not quite 10,000 men. A few among them are women. Dressed as young boys or even soldiers. Waiting with bated breaths; waiting to get inside. Some have come with parents, some with friends. Some have come to pay tribute to friends who died in that stadium, others for the sole love of the beautiful game. The only problem: no women are allowed in the stadium and the cops are looking for them. Six of them get caught. Six women, who are strangers to one another, prisoners to the young cops who keep them inside a makeshift barricade; six women who share the same passion. Football. Iran. As the match progresses, the six women and the cops guarding them develop an inexplicable bond. At the end as Iran wins, the women and the cops get out on the streets together, dance hand in hand, light sparklers and sing. In a society tainted with inequality, football brings harmony. National pride wins.

Panahi actually shot this film entirely during the match mentioned above. And he used non-professional actors to make things look more natural. They sure do a commendable job. The extremely funny and witty script makes sure that there isn't one single dull moment in this film. True this is no "Talaye Sorkh" or "Dayereh"(which btw are excellent films). But this sure is one delightful piece of cinema. If you are looking for a light on your brains yet meaningful comedy, rent this. Its worth all of it. More so if your'e a football fanatic like me.

Jogo Bonito!Beautiful game. Beautiful cinema.