This is the hidden gem of this years NYICFF. This is sort of film that I go to the festival to find- an off the radar delight that moves into my heart.
The film is the story of Mona, a Kurdish girl who fled the war in Syria and ended up in Germany at a new school. She doesn't fit in with the other kids. But her love of soccer wins her friends and a place on the indorr soccer team.
This is not what you expect. Yes it's a trip to the championships-the title is WINNERS after all- but the film has a great deal more going on including a look at friendship, the creation of a team, being a refugee, being a kid, families, war and a few other things. It's a film that has a lot going on but never loses it's way.
Actually this film is so packed with stuff that there was a point when I thought the film was done because there was a moment that waould have been the climax for any other film. Instead WINNERS just blew past it and kept going for another hour. I'm not complaining, rather I'm amazed that it never lagged. I was exhausted by the end but I was also misty because this film earns every emotion it squeezes out of us.
This film is glorious.
An absolute must see when it plays at NYICFF this weekend- or where ever you can track it down.
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