Copa 71, directed by the talented Rachel Ramsay and James Erskine, tells the story of the first Women’s World Cup in August 1971, which FIFA still refuses to recognize. It gathered women’s teams from England, Argentina, France, Denmark, and Italy to face off in Mexico. For these teams that often faced heinous sexism, it was a huge event. As a women’s event outside FIFA’s control, it is forcibly erased from football history – until Copa 71: The Documentary.
In their towns, the players were met with skeptics undermining their dreams. For the first time, sponsorship was lavish. 110,000 roaring fans filled the stadium with noise, and the players were treated like rock stars. The pure existence of such an event was a slap to the face of naysayers. It was not only about women in sports, but it was a tale of understanding female power, liberation, and self-fulfillment.
The Emotional Journey:
In the captivating documentary, the pioneers of women’s football tell their entire story. The journey begins from life before Copa 71, the ups and downs of the momentous event itself, and the events that transpired after. Ramsay and Erskine blend the archival footage and new interviews to tell the stories of the unsung heroes. The film starts with the iconic female football players. They are asked about the first official FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991. They are shocked to learn about the women who lit the way for them.
The co-directors track down women from different parts of the world like Argentina, England, the USA, and many more. These women open their hearts and let in the audience with their wit and their engaging storytelling. In fact, these women are eager to tell their stories because for years they were silenced.
Through telling the stories of these women, it empowers, uplifts, and engages. It is an emotional roller coaster that offers a window into sexism through sports.