Iran - Football, Iranian Style
Iran is obsessed with football. In a country governed by strict Islamic law, football and its heroes are a source of national identity and pride. Even women, who are not allowed into stadiums to watch matches, are crazy about the game.
This documentary examines Iranian football histeria and its impact on the society as a whole. It includes remarkable footage of street party scenes in Tehran after Iran's qualifying match for the World Cup, France 1998.
00.01.21 - Keepy uppy with football
00.01.56 - Man blowing football horn
00.02.07 - Supporters at Azadi football stadium, Tehran
00.03.29 - Brawl on the football pitch
00.03.50 - Crowds in the stands
00.04.13 - Iranian women on bus
00.04.35 - Interview with Iranian woman outside gates of stadium
00.06.02 - Iranian woman practicing football on her rooftop
00.08.18 - Fans meet players at training ground
00.18.28 - Footage of an Iranian league match
00.19.22 - 'Betrayed' fans, angry at a player switching teams, speak to the camera
00.19.56 - Office of an Iranian football team's newspaper
00.21.59 - The traitorous player talks to fans on the phone
00.23.43 - A fan breaks down whilst talking to the player
00.27.58 - Iran scoring to qualify for World Cup France 1998
00.28.17 - Jubilant fans on the Iranian streets
00.28.42 - Iranian woman talking of the unprecedented celebrations
00.29.21 - More celebrations on the streets
00.31.00 - Fans greet the national team as they return from the World Cup
00.32.55 - An Iranian player who now plays in Germany
00.34.15 - Iranians living in Berlin going to a match
00.34.52 - A German song about an Iranian player
00.36.40 - The Iranian Berliners talk about football
00.39.44 - Fans watch a match
00.40.27 - Iranian fans talk about an upcoming match against Iraq
00.44.23 - People disabled during the Iraq-Iran war talk of what the match means to them
00.47.06 - Iran score against Iraq
00.47.21 - Iranian player gets banned following a brawl in a league match
00.47.49 - Player talks of the Iranian passion for football
00.48.25 - Iranian talks of supporting football being a waste of time
00.49.25 - Credits, reprise of German song
FULL SYNOPSIS