Marta Díaz de Lope Díaz’s ‘Another League’ chronicles the defiant birth of women’s soccer in the waning years of Francisco Franco’s arcane dictatorship in early 1970s Spain – today the reigning world champions after winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.
Sold internationally by Filmax, “Another League” premieres in competition at the Málaga Film Festival.
The fact-based film follows an ambitious sports promoter, played by Daniel Ibáñez (“Saturn Return”) and a group of young, fancy-footed girls who team up to establish a national women’s soccer league, breaking barriers in the face of massive social and political opposition to what was then largely deemed to be “unladylike behavior.”
It was a tale that immediately inspired Díaz and co-writer Zebina Guerra.
“My co-writer, Zebina Guerra and I first learned about the true story of the pioneers through producer Jesús Ulled,” Díaz recalls. “From the very beginning, I found the story of these very young women fascinating – girls who stood up to the Franco regime through something as innocent, yet as iconically masculine, as playing soccer. It felt inspiring because it allowed us to represent and reflect on the long journey women have had to take to achieve the rights we have today. In a way, we wanted to pay tribute to them and bring their story to a wider audience.”
While Díaz came across interviews and reports about the pioneering women, the story was not widely known in Spain, she adds. “That was one of the main motivations for making this film: to ensure their story is told. It’s important to know where we come from, especially now that Spanish women’s soccer is experiencing such an extraordinary moment.”
In developing the film, Díaz could relate with the girls’ struggle, recalling her own passion for soccer as a kid.
“When I was a child, I loved playing soccer at school. Interestingly, while writing this film, I revisited many memories that were somewhat conflictive, because I was the only girl playing with the boys. though I was very young, I always had the feeling that I was doing something I ‘shouldn’t,’ something that ‘wasn’t meant for me.’
“When I read interviews with the real pioneers, I realized that many of the insults they had received were the same ones I had heard in the school playground. That’s how I found my personal connection to the story. There are many years between those women and me, but emotionally I felt very close to their experience.”
The political backdrop of the story and the repressive Franco era became indispensable parts of the story to explore.
“From the moment we began contextualizing the film, it felt essential to portray the historical context: The role of women during the Franco dictatorship, the existence of the Sección Femenina, a regime institution that dictated what a woman should be, and the Servicio Social, which was essentially a kind of military-style service for women where they were trained to become good housewives,” Díaz explains. “Including this context was crucial to highlight just how remarkable the pioneers’ achievements were, as well as the courage of those who supported them.”
even with its historic setting, the story remains very relevant today, she adds.
“‘Another League’ is a film that looks at the past while being very aware of the present. In times like the ones we are living through, when some people look back nostalgically at darker periods of history, it is important to remember everything that had to be fought for to secure the rights we enjoy today. Knowing where we come from is essential if we want to value what we have and continue moving forward. That awareness was very present throughout the making of ‘Another League.’”
While based on a true story, Díaz and Guerra’s script fictionalized real people and events for the film, including the role of sports promoter Javier Poga (played by Ibáñez), who is based on the real-life Rafael Muga, Spain’s first women’s national soccer team manager.
“The film is rooted in real events that frame the story and provide its historical foundation,” Díaz notes. “During our research while writing the script, we had the opportunity to speak with Rafael Muga himself, which helped us enormously. His experience inspired us to create a fictional narrative that captures, as faithfully as possible, the emotional truth of what he lived through alongside the pioneers.”
While casting the film wasn’t easy, the director ultimately put together an impressive ensemble that includes Sofía de Iznájar, Bruna Lucadamo, Nora Otxoteko, Aixa Villagrán (“The Red Virgin”), José Troncoso, Leire Aguiar, Lorea Carballo, Miriam Rubio, Elena Irureta (“Patria”) and Jordi Sánchez.
“It was a long and complex process. I was very determined to find actresses who had at least some basic knowledge of football. They didn’t need to be expert players — we did a specific training process before filming, but it felt important that they already had some familiarity with the game.”
Casting directors Florencia Inés González and Txabe Atxa “did an incredible job,” Díaz stresses. “We saw many young actresses before finding our protagonists, and in the end we assembled an amazing cast, passionate and very talented performers.”
She also praises her crew in creating the film’s 1970s vintage look.
“I was very fortunate to work with an incredibly talented team. The look of the film is the result of the collaboration between director of photography Maria Codina, production designer Claudia González, and costume designer Cristina Rodríguez. Together we created a visual identity that transports audiences to the early 1970s while still feeling alive and relevant for contemporary viewers.”
Going forward, Díaz is currently writing a script for what she hopes will be her next film. “It’s still early so I can’t say much yet, but it explores the complex relationship between a mother and her son.”
For Filmax, Díaz’s work looks set to be a major crowd pleaser. “‘Another League’ is a story about having the courage to dream, even when everything seems to be against you,” said Ivan Diaz, Filmax’s head of international. “At a time when women are rewriting history in all fields, at a time when Spain is the current world champion and has the most talented players on its team, this feel-good film celebrates those who paved the way with their passion, courage and freedom.”
“Another League” is produced by Cine365 Films, Nadie es Perfecto, Ciudadano Ciskul and Portuguese shingle Bando À Parte.
Source: variety.com
