Inspired by the World Cup in Qatar, we wanted to bring you a list of films from the Arab world all about football – some of which you may recognise from past editions of our SAFAR Film Festival!
There’s plenty to stream online, and one you might want to save for future watching.
Let us know if there’s anything we’ve missed that you’d recommend!
CAPTAINS OF ZAATARI (Hulu)
Two best friends living in the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan have an undying dream of becoming professional soccer players. When a world-renowned sports academy visits, both have a chance to make this dream come true.
MARADONA’S LEGS (Netflix)
During the 1990 World Cup, two young Palestinian football fans set out to find the last missing piece of their sticker album and win an Atari.
FREEDOM FIELDS (Mubi)
Freedom Fields follows three women and their football team over five years in post-revolution Libya. As the country descends into war, “Determination, Will, Strength” is their motto. Community is key in this intimate story of hope, struggle, joy, and sisterhood.
KHARTOUM OFFSIDE
A group of young ladies in Khartoum are determined to play football professionally. They are prepared to defy the ban imposed by Sudan’s Islamic Military government. Their battle to get officially recognized as Sudan’s National Woman’s team is fearless, courageous and often laughable. Through the intimate portrait of these women over a number of years we follow their moments of hope and deception. There is a new spark of hope when the elections within the federation could mean real change of the entire system.