The new documentary Copa 71 begins with co-director Rachel Ramsay talking with soccer legend Brandi Chastain about the first Women’s World Cup.
“Which was when?” Ramsay asks.
“1991,” Chastain says with confidence. She was, after all, there.
Following recent documentary convention, Ramsay hands Chastain an iPad and presses play. Chastain sees grainy footage of a packed stadium.
“It’s a men’s football match?” Chastain asks. Players come out on the pitch. They’re women.
“What?” Chastain says with a smile. Incredulous, she asks Ramsay what year the footage was from. It’s 1971.
Chastain ponders, “Why didn’t I know about this? It makes me very happy and quite infuriated, to be honest with you.”
It’s a great moment. It’s also a contrived moment, one of the few in Ramsay and James Erskine’s terrifically satisfying documentary, which thrives not on “Gotcha!” surprises or affected reenactments, but on a wonderful simplicity.
“Which was when?” Ramsay asks.
“1991,” Chastain says with confidence. She was, after all, there.
Following recent documentary convention, Ramsay hands Chastain an iPad and presses play. Chastain sees grainy footage of a packed stadium.
“It’s a men’s football match?” Chastain asks. Players come out on the pitch. They’re women.
“What?” Chastain says with a smile. Incredulous, she asks Ramsay what year the footage was from. It’s 1971.
Chastain ponders, “Why didn’t I know about this? It makes me very happy and quite infuriated, to be honest with you.”
It’s a great moment. It’s also a contrived moment, one of the few in Ramsay and James Erskine’s terrifically satisfying documentary, which thrives not on “Gotcha!” surprises or affected reenactments, but on a wonderful simplicity.
- 9/7/2023
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.