While fans around the world get to cheer their team on (and argue with strangers) during the FIFA World Cup, people in Venezuela get a chance to reminisce about one of the most epic teams in the history of fútbol in the country: a group of young women who defied hardships and poverty to seek glory.
Directed by Jennifer Socorro, Edwin Corona and the late David Alonso, who unfortunately passed away before the film was completed, the documentary Nos Llaman Guerreras follows Venezuela’s women’s under-17 national team that competed in the 2016 South American Under-17 Women’s Football Championship, where they finished in the top spot, and in the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan, where they were among the final four teams.
However, before the victories and acclaim, the girls had to make great sacrifices and persevere against the difficult circumstances of their young lives. One of them, Yerliane Moreno, was affected by a major flood in her hometown of Guasdualito, and had to be taken to games and practices in a boat. Her community spent 20 days without electricity, yet she had to remain focused on continuing her career in soccer.
Like her, many of the girls that would eventually become iconic symbols of hope for the country, endured harsh difficulties, sometimes just for being women in a sport that, especially Latin American, is typically only associated with males.
The documentary also shines for its beautiful cinematography that presents the talented players showcasing their abilities against beautiful landscapes, as we hear the reasons behind their love for fútbol and what keeps them motivated. The film’s sharp editing style blends these poetic sequences with footage from the games at major sporting events and quotidian moments.
Nos Llaman Guerreras opened in Venezuelan theaters on February 16 and will screen in the United States at the Atlanta Film Festival in April.