Synopsis & Trailer
  
 
 


Women's passion for soccer transcends gender boundaries and challenges the traditional image of women in Zanzibar, a predominantly Muslim society. The film presents a provocative and timely portrait of WOMEN FIGHTERS, a team of strong-willed women determined to better their lives and define new identities through playing football. Despite opposition and limited facilities, the women succeed to play the game they love, and their challenging viewpoints are signs of changing times on this exotic Island in East Africa.

ZANZIBAR SOCCER QUEENS presents personal stories of aspirations, shattered dreams, self-determination, friendship and confidence gained from playing football. Their stories present unique insights into the lives and experiences of women in modern Africa.

The women’s passion for football is a desire for freedom and a passion for life! Playing soccer is a catalyst for personal change and a gateway to new experiences.


More about the Film

Through individual stories, we uncover the tensions between the women's passion for football and some strongly held traditional and cultural viewpoints about how women’s dress code; “When women play football, they should cover their bodies. They shouldn’t wear shorts…when men are watching, they can be tempted,” says a Koran schoolteacher. NASSRA, 43, coach and founder of the team challenges this attitude; “…we’re there to do exercises…we’re not there to tempt any man…whoever says this…has personal problems.”

Playing football provides opportunities for new experiences as LIGHTNESS, 18, affirms, “before playing football I had no opportunities to travel as I have now... without football I’d be at home doing things I shouldn’t be doing...” For ZUWENA, 28, playing football helps to heal the pain of being rejected by her husband because she couldn’t have children; “Football has helped me to forget the pain I experienced.” AMINA, 32, feels suffocated and unhappy because her husband stopped her from playing football soon after they got married; “…I felt so unhappy…I wanted to burn my football shirts and socks…” WARDA, 20, wants to travel and meet other international players such as Ronaldo. She believes that “when I play football there are things I won’t be doing, for example, prostitution...drugs.”

Unveiling their soccer dreams is evidence of social change and personal development, emancipation and empowerment through sports.


  
 


Filmography: Please click on the links below.
 
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Copyright © 2008 Florence Ayisi.