OFFSIDE

OFFSIDE - 2006

RATED - PG for relatively mild language throughout.

RATINGS - 8 Amazon (4/5), 24,109 Netflix (3/5), 2,254 IMDB (7.1/10).

THEMES - Justice, discrimination, religion.

AWARDS - 4 wins and 3 nominations at various international film festivals.

STORY - It's 2005 in Tehran and Iran is playing Bahrain for the chance to advance to the World Cup. There are 100,000 spectators cheering on the Iranian team.  What's wrong with that picture?  They're all men - or supposed to be.  Iran doesn't allow women to attend sporting events.  The official reason is they will be exposed to foul language and men's legs (the players presumably). The real reason, of course, is women are discriminated against in Iran.  However, not all the fans are men at the game - they just all look like men.  Some are young girls (who are allowed to play soccer) who want to see the game so badly they try to disguise themselves as men and buy a ticket. Some make it but the 'gender police' are out in full force and some are caught.  This is  a film (banned in Iran by the way) about those who are arrested.  They are taken to a holding pen right outside the stadium where they can hear but not see the game. The film is mostly about the interaction between these young female fans and the young male guards who are assigned to make sure they are 'tortured' by hearing but not seeing. While making the point well about discrimination, the film is also a light hearted story about how young men and women in Iran see their roles and the lengths some young women will go to see a forbidden soccer match.  Don't expect soccer action (actual game footage is measured in seconds) but a good story about culture and another opportunity to learn about a country we hear so much about but really don't know much about. Much of the film was shot at the stadium the actual day of the big match so it has an authentic feel - a kind of docudrama feel. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews.

LINKS - IMDB & TRAILER

INVICTUS

INVICTUS - 2009

RATED - PG-13 for brief strong language in lockerroom/athletic setting. Some sports violence as rugby is a very physical sport.

RATINGS - 74 Amazon (4/5), 102,561 Netflix (3.8/5), 22,310 IMDB (7.5/10).

STARRING - Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. Directed by Clint Eastwood.

THEMES - Justice, relationships.

AWARDS - ACADEMY & GOLDEN GLOBE nominations for Best Actor (Freeman) and Best Supporting Actor (Damon) as well as GG nominee for Best Director (Eastwood).

STORY - It's 1995 and Nelson Mandela (Freeman) has just been elected the first democratically elected black president of South Africa.  Not surprisingly, his supporters see this as the ultimate opportunity for pay back to the white community for all the years of oppression.  But Mandela is a different kind of leader.  He believes in working hard to unite all the people and forgiving those who have harmed him and his people. Everyone assumes Mandela will replace the white leadership of the struggling national rugby team with his own.  However, Mandela sees this as an opportunity to unify the country through sports.  He commits himself to working with the existing white leadership and particularly the captain of the rugby team played by Matt Damon. He challenges Damon to rise to the occasion and capture the World Cup which they are hosting. He is taking a great risk with the future of his leadership.  Based on the true story of Nelson Mandela and South Africa, it is part history, part leadership lesson and a moving sports drama.  Highly recommend.  Lu G. for Lu's Reviews.

LINKS - IMDB & TRAILER