“Football Under Cover” is a 2008 German documentary film directed by Ayat Najafi and David Assmann. The film revolves around a unique and historic football match between the Berlin-based women’s football team BSV Al-Dersimspor and the Iranian national women’s team, held in Tehran, Iran. Until that point, the Iranian female team was never alowed to play against a foreign team.
When Marlene Assmann from the Berlin team learns about the Iranian women’s team from her friend Ayat, she decides to help organize this groundbreaking game in Tehran. After a year of hard work and despite facing numerous challenges—such as navigating bureaucratic hurdles, securing sponsorship, obtaining visas, and finding suitable uniforms—the Berlin team travels to Iran, where they play under strict regulations. The match is historic not only because it is one of the first international games for the Iranian women’s team but also because it is attended exclusively by women, who are normally forbidden from entering stadiums in Iran. Despite the political and cultural obstacles, the event marks a significant moment in Iranian history, breaking societal taboos and uniting the two teams through their shared passion for football.
Visual Impact:
The film is exciting, funny, and sad at the same time. It uses visual storytelling to convey a strong message of collective solidarity, desire of self determination and female empowerment. It also highlights cultural exchange, challenges, and social barriers of women in Iran, particularly in sports. Contrasting the realities of the two teams, the documentary highlights differences in freedom and social norms. Through the detailed portrayal of the participants’ personal stories, the audience can connect emotionally with the situation. The football match serves as a microcosm of the broader struggle for women’s rights and and gender equality. The game is an act of symbolic resistance to societal norms, demonstrating how women push boundaries simply by participating in sports. With various scenes, but especially by showing a cheering crowd of more than 1000 women in the stadium, the film inspires for hope and change.
Text by Luka Ahrens