(North Mankato, MN): Movie Night — Bend It Like Beckham
Chadha, G. (Director). (2003). Bend It Like Beckham. [Motion Picture]. Los Angeles, CA: Kintop Pictures.
Bend it like Beckham (also known as “Sognando Beckham” and “Kick It Like Beckham”) is about football, race, gender and culture. Jesminder (Jess) is an 18-year-old British Indian girl from a family with traditional ideas. Jess loves football and her favorite football star, David Beckham. But her parents are unhappy that their daughter runs around in shorts chasing a ball. They want her to study to become a lawyer, learn to cook Indian food and marry a nice Indian boy. Will Jess follow her dream of becoming a professional footballer? [Keep in mind that what is considered ‘soccer’ in the United States is called ‘football’ throughout the world.] See the full film on youtube at http://youtu.be/617Ah1e2quQ. See a short discussion guide at http://curriculumproject.org/wp-content/uploads/Bend it like Beckham.pdf.
Sometimes, to follow your dreams… you’ve got to bend the rules!