Told by the pioneering women who participated in it and built from archive unseen for fifty years, this is the extraordinary story of the 1971 Women’s Soccer World Cup, a tournament witnessed by record crowds that has been written out of sporting history — until now.
It is August 1971. Football teams from England, Argentina, Mexico, France, Denmark and Italy are gathering at Mexico City’s sun-drenched Azteca Stadium. The scale of the tournament is monumental: lavish sponsorship, extensive TV coverage, merchandise on every street corner and crowds of over 100,000 hollering fans turn this historic stadium into ‘a cauldron of noise and heat’ match after match. A fawning media treat the players like rock stars. The atmosphere is reminiscent of the greatest moments in international footballing history.
But this is a tournament unlike anything that’s happened before. The players on the pitch are all women. And it’s likely you’ve never even heard of it. This is Copa 71, the unofficial Women’s World Cup. Dismissed by both FIFA and domestic football associations around the world, this event has been entirely written out of history. Until now.
Event/ The 13:15 screening on Sat 16 Mar will be followed by a recorded Q&A hosted by Jill Scott MBE, and featuring co-directors Rachel Ramsey and James Erskine, plus 7 players from the 1971 England squad. This screening starts at the advertised time, and does not include ads or trailers.
"Copa 71 is a revolutionary political parable that goes beyond football."The Guardian
"Copa 71 exposes an obscured chapter in history and thrusts its heroes into a well-deserved spotlight"The Hollywood Reporter
"Copa 71 restores these pioneers to their rightful place in history"Total Film
HOME Film Pass
Experience every new release at HOME, any time, as many times as you like for just £18 a month.
Read more