In her debut article for Impetus, Emily Brown details eight docuseries or films to stream in order to cure the post-World Cup blues (9/9/23).
Above: England come together at the World Cup – there are plenty of opportunities to delve into the inside story of the Lionesses within Emily’s choices. Photo: Lionesses.
Now that the Women’s World Cup (WWC) has concluded, if like me and many other football fans, you need a remedy to cure the post-World Cup blues whilst in anticipation for the next season to start, here is a list of all the things you should watch to keep you entertained while you wait.
The list below is compiled of all things women’s football including many a nations journey to this year’s World Cup including a docuseries focusing on one of the two host nations of this year; Australia, insider access to the Women’s Super League (WSL) teams, the journey of the Lionesses and their successful Euro’s 2022, some history behind women’s football as a movement and in which direction it’s heading, as well as some feel-good ways to enjoy the magnificent game.
‘Matildas: The World at Our Feet’
Disney+
Up first is a six-part docuseries by Disney observing the semi-finalist Australian team, the Matildas, through their journey to becoming hosts of the tournament and the battles they faced in preparation leading up to the tournament’s opening.
This series not only explores the difficulties needed to be overcome on the pitch but off the pitch also. It explores wider significant issues such as the remaining sexism and inequality women footballers and women in general face, as well as commenting on important topics such as the normalisation of motherhood as an elite athlete for example.
Overall, the series does a great job of connecting fans from around the world to the Matildas. It will make you both laugh and cry and want to stay connected to each player, rooting for them as individuals as well as the team (possibly even secretly when they’re the opposition to your own national team).
‘All Roads Lead Down Under’
FIFA+
Following on, we have yet another impressive docuseries that follows multiple national teams desperate to qualify for their World Cup spot, including those who narrowly made it to qualification and those who missed out entirely.
At times the series becomes quite emotional as you see how much qualification for the World Cup means to players after following their personal stories including where they came from, their journey up to now, and the troubles they faced along the way.
Countries included are Argentina, India, Thailand, England, Chile, Nigeria, Denmark, Trinidad, Tobago, Wales, and Tahiti. From the range of nations alone it is apparent that there will be many important comparisons to be made between developed and underdeveloped countries and how this affects their accessibility to football.
Again, this is another documentary exploring how women’s football is inevitably entwined with wider issues outside of just football including battles involving race, sexuality, social inequality, and other adversity.
‘Inside The Pride’ Collection and ‘Lionesses: Champions of Europe’ Documentary
YouTube and BBC iPlayer
The ‘Inside the Pride’ collection documents the different stages the Lionesses have gone through in the past couple of years, allowing England’s journey to victory to be seen from the inside. Watching this you’ll appreciate even more the strength the team have to pave the legacy they are leaving for future generations.
The collection consists of the Lionesses’ journey to the Euros to victory in bringing home the trophy, the journey leading up to the beginning of the World Cup and I would not be surprised if another documentary is added to this list now that England reached the 2023 World Cup final for the first time.
The BBC documentary ‘Lionesses: Champions of Europe’ specifically, relives England’s 2022 success, interviewing the people who made it all happen including manager Sarina Wiegman and captain Leah Williamson. This is one of many England documentaries to feast your eyes on if you are already missing seeing the Lionesses perform on the international stage and in their domestic clubs.
‘Alex Scott: The Future of Women’s Football
YouTube – The Women’s Football Archive
Alex Scott, ex-Arsenal and England defender turned pundit, who would have become a very familiar face (if not already) to those watching the BBC’s coverage of the World Cup, partners with the BBC again here to form this informative documentary.
Scott follows the growing popularity of women’s football pre-home Euros in England and discovers what this growth means for the future of women’s football and the younger generation. Scott does not just look at the impact stemming from the rise of women’s football in the UK but travels to places around the world observing the expansion of the game globally.
Interviews include a multitude of WSL players including many a Lioness, managers including Chelsea’s Emma Hayes, journalists, agents, former players, and many more integral figures involved in and outside the women’s game.
Overall, the documentary focusses on how the women’s game has grown with its record attendances and viewing figures as a result of its increased visibility, but even more so on how to sustain the current intense momentum of this growth and to make it ever lasting, ensuring a long-lasting impact.
However, it is important to note that the documentary does not neglect to look at the issues and negativity that have accompanied such positive change such as the disparity between top profile players and players who fall under the radar despite how hard-working and successful, they are just because they do not feature internationally for example.
Additionally, among many other issues, Scott addresses the unfortunate fact that, as it stands in the UK currently, young people belonging to the black community and young adults of other ethnic minorities are currently not getting the same opportunities as other adolescents in the UK due to various issues surrounding race and background. Scott opens eyes to why this is the case, addressing the problem of opportunities to become involved in football being taken away or restricted from certain groups of young people because of where they live. The documentary delves into the impact of this adversity, exploring the subsequent absence of a diverse pipeline to football in this country due to a lack of diversity in talent pathways at youth level.
‘EQUALS’
UEFA.tv
A lot of the stars you would have seen take the international stage during the World Cup feature in this six-part documentary series from UEFA. The series interviews many sports stars from across the globe discussing a multitude of topics surrounding women’s football including the growth of the game and how to improve and sustain this growth (like that in Alex Scott’s documentary).
Many topics feature in these episodes with a different focus each episode. Overall though there is a very important message and makes an example of the direct impact of the growth of women’s football on not only young female footballers but for women in general (especially those in underdeveloped countries).
The series identifies the importance of what this growth means and how important it is for this growth to be sustained whilst women’s football is still connected to issues away from just football. A great one to watch after watching Alex Scott’s documentary to understand just why growth needs to be sustained and not just how.
‘One team, One Dream: This is Chelsea’
YouTube – DAZN UEFA Women’s Champions League
If, whilst watching the World Cup, you found yourself wanting to know more about the Woman’s Super League (WSL) in England, then this docuseries would be a good place to start.
The series follows Chelsea Women through their 2020-2021 season where you will witness country captains Sam Kerr and newly appointed England captain Millie Bright, as well as many other star international players that graced this year’s World Cup stage, in their domestic club environment. This could make it clearer to people of perhaps what a lot of international players have had to overcome in their footballing career to be able to be as successful as they are now.
As well as being enticed by the players you loved from this team whilst watching the World Cup, another reason to watch this docuseries is to learn more about the team’s manager, Emma Hayes. She is another person who you would possibly have started to recognise when watching ITV’s broadcast of the World Cup. Chelsea’s manager was awarded an OBE last year and the title of The Best FIFA Football Coach in 2021 as well as many only managerial-related honours.
‘Togetherness – An AWFC Documentary Series’
YouTube, Arsenal.com
The most recent addition to have included in this list is the newly released five-part documentary series following Arsenal Women’s Football Club’s (AWFC) 2022-23 season. After all the club endured this past season, it wasn’t uncommon for fans to believe that a film could have indeed been made following the ups and downs the club survived. This docuseries does the equivalent, taking us behind the scenes and giving exactly what fans have been asking for.
Hot topics that the docuseries explores includes the many tumultuous moments surrounding the ACL crisis that struck many of Arsenal’s key, high-profile players including Lioness’ captain and Arsenal’s defender Leah Williamson, fellow Lioness Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, and Laura Weinroither. All of whom were all set to play for their country in the World Cup just gone but unfortunately had to miss out due to their injury.
Additionally, fans will get insider access to the emotional exit of Jordan Nobbs from the club she grew up in, Champions League nights, and the unfortunate end to their narrowly missed run as well as the club’s first-ever sell-out of the Emirates Stadium hosting 60,000.
‘Bend it Like Beckham’
Disney Plus
If you fancy more of a calm and light-hearted way to enjoy women’s football, then this film could be for you. For most people it would probably be the case of re-watching this timeless classic whilst basking in the glory of a (hopefully) successful WWC.
This film perfectly demonstrates different people from a variety of backgrounds coming together and how as women the protagonists create new opportunities that may not have been accessible before, paving the way by themselves and for themselves, much like the footballers in real life. Hence why so many young girls and boys from marginalised communities are inspired by this classic, finding the representation of those like them displayed here.
Overall, this film will speak to your inner child, making you believe that realising the dreams you once thought were impossible to retain are not all that far off.
(To add to your viewing experience and to provoke thoughts on the significance of this film you could follow up by watching the BBC documentary ‘Bend it Like Beckham: 20 years On’ where Miriam Walker-Khan looks at the film’s impact on its audiences.)
Honourable Mentions:
- ‘Dare to Dream’ – a three parted documentary on YouTube exploring the history of the U.S Women’s Soccer Team.
- ‘This is Football’ – Episode 2: BELIEF’ – an episode on Prime Video
- ‘Wrighty’s Diary – FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 – 13 episodes on FIFA’s YouTube
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