Madrid, 1970. In the working-class neighbourhood of Villaverde, a young coach dares to do what Franco’s Spain considers unthinkable: organise a football match between young girls. It is the the country’s very first women’s football match, and that is the story it tells «Forever the first» (Pioneras: they just wanted to play), the film by Marta Díaz de Lope Díaz, screened in preview at the CinéParadis, Fontainebleau the Tuesday 10 November at 8.00 pm, the day before its nationwide release.
The evening takes on a special significance: it is being held in the presence of the Fontainebleau Aiglonnes team and their manager, David Levine. Half a century separates the pioneering women of Madrid from today’s players in Bellifontaine, and that is precisely what makes this discussion session so fascinating: seeing on screen those who paved the way, then talking with those who are keeping the tradition alive here.
Originally from Ronda, in Andalusia, the director made a name for herself with My dear brotherhood, a comedy that won the Audience Award at the Málaga Film Festival. This is something she has carried within her since childhood: at break time, she was the only girl playing ball with the boys. She draws strength from this a drama-comedy lasting 1 hour 46 minutes, co-written with Zebina Guerra, starring Aixa Villagrán and Daniel Ibáñez.
Beyond the sporting achievement, the film serves as a reminder of just how slow recognition has been: in Europe, official women’s competitions only really began to take off in the 1980s and 1990s. And in 2023, more than Fifty years on from those first female players, Spain won the Women’s World Cup.
CinéParadis recommends buying your ticket in advance, either at the box office or online: Book tickets for the preview screening of ’À jamais les premières« at CinéParadis. A wonderful evening for film lovers and football fans alike, to be enjoyed with family, friends or teammates.
A few words are enough, I reply personally.