Cinema Iran Arzoo

The setting of the film Offside is Azadi football Stadium in Tehran, Iran, on June 8, 2005, where there’s a football match—in real life as well as in the film—being played between Bahrain and Iran. Whoever won the game would head to the World Cup.

But beginning in 1979, all women in Iran were banned from attending live sporting matches. What’s a woman soccer-crazed fan to do? Dress up as a man. This dramedy explores gender politics in witty, humorous, and poignant ways.

Host Arzoo shares some of her favorite cinematic moments and behind-the-scenes, real-world stories of Jafar Panahi’s film, Offside.

Heads-up, this episode contains spoilers!