Copa 71 is the latest documentary film, directed by Rachel Ramsay and James Erskine, following the history behind the Women’s World Cup. In a series of interviews, video clips, and pictures, the film brings the tale of the forgotten World Cup to our screens.
The Courier were invited to Tyneside Cinema on 13 March to view the film and panel discussion, as part of a belated International Women’s Day event. The panel was hosted by Charlotte Robson (True Faith Podcast) and featured Newcastle United (NUFC) captain, Amber Keegan-Stobbs; NUFC manager, Becky Langley; Sunderland (SAFC) head coach, Melanie Reay; SAFC captain, Brianna Westrup; and the ‘token man’, Sports Journalist George Caulkin.
Inevitably, there is anger and sadness in the women’s stories, due to the discrimination they faced during their careers
The beginning of the film shows Brandi Chastain, 2x winner of the Women’s World Cup. She believes that her team were champions of the inaugural Women’s World Cup in 1991. But a video clip is played, and we see her realisation that she didn’t compete in the first tournament – there were women who had come before her in 1971. This isn’t ignorance on Chastain’s part though, as Copa 71 was hidden from the world for 50 years.
The film includes interview clips with players from each team. We meet Carol Wilson (England Captain and Geordie!), Elena Schiavo (Italy), Elba Selva (Argentina), Ann Stengard & Birte Kjems (Denmark), and Silvia Zaragoza (Mexico). These women trace their experience in football: from their own backgrounds, to being picked to compete in the World Cup, and the action of the games. We see the highs, the lows, and the drama. The interviews do not hold back in comedic value.
Inevitably, there is anger and sadness in the women’s stories, due to the discrimination they faced during their careers. However, the film ultimately encapsulates pure joy, as they recount some of the greatest moments in their lives. Nothing brings people together like shared experience, and even through the camera, the women tease and laugh with one another.
For Copa 71 to come to fruition, Martini & Rossi sponsored each team with kits, travel, and a place to stay during their visit to Mexico (the host city). This was the first time most of the women had ever been on a plane. They were greeted by an overwhelming public reception – the public were throwing gifts into the team buses and paparazzi greeted them off the plane. The reception was so huge that some of the women assumed royalty were on the plane with them! It is clear how grateful the women were (and still are) for the opportunity to play football in a recognised capacity.
The film captures the pride of the forgotten team members, in being the pioneers of women’s football. They are finally given a voice, to tell their stories, and reveal how they risked their reputations to play the game they truly loved
In 1921, the Football Association banned women from playing in grounds it controlled, which meant they could not play in most stadiums. However, in Mexico, mass media company, Televisa owned the Azteca Stadium. This meant that Televisa could allow anyone they wanted to play there – the only challenge would be filling the seats. Yet, this proved to be no problem, as over 100,000 people bought tickets to watch the opening and final matches of the tournament. The noise coming from the film alone was electrifying.
Despite this enormous, encouraging reception, the final match was close to being cancelled, due to objections from FIFA. Throughout the whole film, FIFA were on the periphery, attempting to ban women from playing football. After the tournament, media outlets in the women’s home countries framed them as figures of insolence. Some of the women stated they were so ashamed that they didn’t speak to each other for years afterwards.
Copa 71 recovers the footage of the Women’s World Cup, which was purposefully concealed by FIFA for 50 years. The film captures the pride of the forgotten team members, in being the pioneers of women’s football. They are finally given a voice, to tell their stories, and reveal how they risked their reputations to play the game they truly loved.
Copa 71 is showing at Tyneside Cinema now. Watch the film and support women’s football!
