When football creates communities

The two films screened at the Thinking Football Film Festival on Thursday reminded us of football's role in building communities.

A recurring theme at the festival, where football is often nothing more than an excuse to tell stories that have more to do with life than with the ball.

At the 18:00 screening, the film 'Kickoff' was shown. It tells the story of a small village in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, where conservative traditions confine women to domestic tasks.

However, Gazi, the film's protagonist, challenges the status quo by organising a women's football tournament. As she strives to empower women and break social taboos, Gazi overcomes cultural resistance, revealing a compelling story of resilience and social change in this unique setting.

Several Athletic Club Women first team players attended the session, including: Irene Oguiza, Adriana Nanclares, Ane Elexpuru, Maite Valero, Clara Pinedo, Alejandra Estefanía “Estefa” and Marta 'Sanadri' San Adrián.

At 20:00. we screened 'The Home Game', a charming and endearing Icelandic film that has won numerous international awards.

Surne Bilbao Basket's Icelandic captain Tryggvi Hlinason joined his compatriots, director Smari Gunn and footballer Freydís Bjarnadóttir, for the post-screening Q&A.

They had an entertaining conversation about Iceland, community, family and beautiful stories of personal triumph. 

It was a film that resonated with the audience, to the point that Freydís' goal was celebrated as if it had been scored by Athletic player.
 

'Muy Lejos' (Away), starring Mario Casas. At 20:00 CEST

On Friday, the day begins with the second special screening for educational centres. To mark World Mental Health Day, we'll be putting on Tigrar, winner of the Thinking Football 2022 audience award.

At 20:00 CEST, 'Away', directed by Gerard Oms and starring Mario Casas, will be screened at Sala BBK – tickets are sold out.

The film follows Sergio, who travels to Utrecht with his family to attend a football match. Before catching his flight back to Barcelona, he suffers an anxiety attack and decides to stay in the Netherlands. Unable to give his family a coherent explanation, he cuts off all contact with his past.