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Pedagogical Film Review: Copa 71

1. Introduction

Film title: Copa 71 Release date: 2023 (world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival) / wider release in June 21, 2024 Directors: Rachel Ramsay and James Erskine Executive producers: Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Alex Morgan Distribution company: Dogwoof Copa 71 tells the story of the unofficial 1971 Women’s World Cup in Mexico, an event that drew massive crowds but was erased from official sporting history.

2. Short Description of the Film

The film follows six national teams (Mexico, England, Denmark, France, Argentina, Italy) competing in a tournament that attracted more than 112,500 spectators, despite FIFA’s refusal to sanction it. Former players such as Carol Wilson and Silvia Zaragoza share personal stories of triumph and resilience. The documentary uses vibrant archival footage, emotional interviews, and a powerful narrative of resistance and hope. The tournament was, in fact, the second event of its kind organized by the independent Women’s Football Association of Europe,  the first had taken place a year earlier in Italy. Wilkinson, (2024) However, these details are less important than the broader context.

At the time, football (or “soccer,” as most participants in the film naturally call it) was still widely considered a men’s sport, and women who played it were subjected to a wide range of mocking and suspicious commentary. Beyond the cultural pressures, FIFA—the governing body for what was then exclusively men’s football—was actively working to prevent women from participating in international football in any form. From the film’s perspective, FIFA’s actions were aimed at preserving its power, rather than supporting the growth of the sport itself.

3. Substantive Pedagogical Analysis

The documentary Copa 71 imparts critical lessons about the intersections of power, politics, and culture. It vividly illustrates how powerful institutions, such as FIFA, systematically erased women’s sporting accomplishments, depriving them of the recognition they deserved. the authorities had an almost pathological suspicion of women’s football, despite or because of the evidence that it could attract large crowds; they promoted the fatuous theories that football was bad for women’s health and (in spite of the evidence) that it was bad box office, Bradshaw. (2024) The film serves as a clear example of gender discrimination not only within the realm of sports but across broader societal structures as well. Furthermore, it emphasizes the persistent struggle of women athletes to gain visibility and respect in the absence of institutional support, highlighting their resilience and determination to break through barriers that sought to marginalize them.

For educational purposes, Copa 71 is particularly suitable for college courses focusing on cultural studies, media studies, sports history, or gender studies. It is also appropriate for high school social studies classes to engage students in discussions around media representation, sexism, and the ongoing fight for gender equality. The film is most suitable for audiences aged fifteen and older, given the maturity of its themes. Through studying Copa 71, students can acquire key concepts such as recognizing the selective and political nature of “official history,” understanding the critical role of public memory and activism in reclaiming marginalized narratives, and investigating the emotional and social influence of sports in broader movements for equality and justice.

4. Conclusion

Copa 71 is a powerful reminder that women's achievements in sports and elsewhere have often been overlooked, not because they were unimportant, but because they disrupted dominant power structures. Using this film, students can explore how popular culture and sports intersect with gender politics and activism, making it an invaluable teaching tool for reimagining sports history.

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