22.05.25, 20:30, Bend it Like Beckham (2002)

Radiant in the iconic three stripes of an Adidas tracksuit, our wild hair tamed by the must-have sapphic accessory of the noughties: the bandana, we at F*Q are ready to embrace summer with the ultimate ‘not gay enough but very gay’ sports classic: Bend It Like Beckham. Jessminder ‘Jess’ (Parminder Nagra) is an Indian-British football-obsessed tomboy with a bedroom altar dedicated to David Beckham. Her natural talent is spotted by Jules (Keira Knightley), a push-up bra-hating striker with an equally passionate love for the beautiful game. Together, they hatch a plan to fool Jess' strict Punjabi parents and make their wildest football dreams come true.

Gurinder Chadha's 2002 film is pure nostalgia, with phenomenal nineties fashion and football montages set to the beats of pop classics such as Basement Jaxx's “Do Your Thing” and “Inner Smile” by Texas. Less dated is the way the film both challenges and celebrates cultural norms and traditions, and subverts gender expectations. Although we feel the banning could have gone a little further... so we'll just do that ourselves with a queer reading by Joke D'Heer.

The film will be preceded by the perfect opportunity to show off your dribbling skills on the grass of the Bijlokesite: a queer football match!

More information and registration form for the football match can be found here. The tournament starts at 17:00 and ends at 20:00.