Who wants to cook aloo gobi when you can bend a ball like Beckham?
Bend It Like Beckham, a 2002 sports comedy-drama, follows Jesminder Bhamra and Jules Paxton as they pursue professional football careers against their parents' wishes, earning strong reviews and lasting cultural impact.
A comedy about bending the rules to reach your goal, Bend It Like Beckham explores the world of women's football, from kick-abouts in the park to freekicks in the Final. Set in Hounslow, West London and Hamburg, the film follows two 18 year olds with their hearts set on a future in professional soccer. Heart-stopping talent doesn't seem to be enough when your parents want you to hang up your football boots, find a nice boyfriend and learn to cook the perfect chapatti.
The film is FREE for young people under 18 wearing LOCAL football kit! (Children must be accompanied by a paying adult)
This is a disability-relaxed screening and all are welcome. This means we dim the lights but don't turn them off, we lower the sound, you are welcome to talk and move around, subtitles are on (when available), and we offer free tickets to carers. And of course our bar is open with hot and cold drinks and snacks. The auditorium is fully accessible, with wheelchair spaces and an accessible toilet.
Running time 1 hr 48 mins
Cert 12A
The 2026 BFI FAN UK-wide season, Rip It Up, explores and celebrates the changing face of youth rebellion, culture and expression – from joy to heartbreak – on screen in the UK.
Youth culture in the UK has a wide and varied history, from the defiant rebellion of Teddy Boys, mods and rockers and the many activist movements that have shaped our society, to hedonistic self-expression in the music and fashion scenes and the emotional rollercoaster that simply is being a teenager – all of which have been portrayed on screen in a multitude of ways. Films in this programme at the Dragon are: Pride (11 June), Bend It Like Beckham (16 + 24 July), Young Soul Rebels + This Is England (30 July) and Quadrophenia (6 August)
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