A new documentary titled ‘The Beautiful Game’ puts its intentions clearly in front of the film industry as Dollena S. Campbell (producer for the going-to-release El Sistema USA) calls it “a film about soccer in South Africa which challenges gender norms, heal rape and homophobia.” The film is directed and produced by Danny Turken, with Sam Pollard (edited Spike Lee’s documentaries, ‘When the Levees Broke and Four Little Girls’, and ‘Venus and Serena’. He also directed the documentary ‘Slavery By Another Name’) as Executive Producer. Campbell became involved with ‘The Beautiful Game’ when she found out that “men were using violence/rape/ murder on female soccer players in South Africa of the stigma of homosexuality.”
As a result, ‘The Beautiful Game’ deals with “the impact of soccer on South African women whose love for the sport is used to challenge gender-based violence, gender discrimination and deep-seated and narrow-minded cultural stereotyping. This would show soccer’s ability to transcend all boundaries and borders. It will definitely help make us think and realise the perception of women, people have throughout the world.”
The film has also obtained support from famous organizations in the world such as ‘No More, National Alliance To End Sexual Violence’, and famous former soccer player like Q iana Martin and Joanna Lohman.
Martin has insisted that the importance of the film lies in the fact that the challenges of so many female soccer players have difficulty in playing the sport they love. It is necessary that such women pursue their desire and the society should help them. This would not only pave way for equality but would also demand respect and equal treatment for other international sportswomen across the globe.
The film currently needs financial support to complete post-production and the filmmakers have started a ‘Kickstarter campaign’. This is done to raise funds for this wonderful, inspiring and worthwhile film.