Watch 17 | Goals for Girls

17 | Goals for Girls is a German coming-of-age film that focuses on the story of a 17-year-old soccer player, Mira. Directed by Julia Peters and released in 2018, the movie runs for approximately 90 minutes. Mira, the protagonist, is a talented soccer player who dreams of playing professionally for her home team in Berlin. She plays for a local team, where she is the only girl, and always feels out of place with her male teammates. When her team is disqualified from a local tournament, Mira seeks out a girls' team to join, but she is turned down because the team is full.

Undeterred, Mira decides to create her own team, recruiting a diverse group of girls from different backgrounds, including refugees and immigrants. Despite facing initial resistance from some of the girls and even their families, Mira manages to inspire them with her passion and determination, and they soon become a close-knit team on and off the field.

The movie captures the challenges that the girls face both personally and as a team: they must overcome cultural and language barriers, as well as the inherent sexism in the sport, in order to succeed. Along the way, they also face personal hardships: one team member, for example, struggles with her family's disapproval of her playing soccer, while another has to deal with the financial burden of traveling to games.

Despite these challenges, Mira and her team persevere, and their hard work pays off in unexpected ways. They start to win games and gain the respect of other teams and their families. Most importantly, they develop a deep sense of camaraderie and friendship that transcends their differences.

Throughout the movie, the viewer is taken on a journey of self-discovery with Mira and her teammates. We see their struggles, their fears, and their triumphs, but also their immense joy in playing the game they love.

One of the most impactful elements of the movie is its portrayal of the girls' backgrounds and the obstacles they must overcome. By reflecting the realities of life for young women in a diverse and multicultural city like Berlin, the movie offers a message of hope and inclusion: that no matter where you come from, and no matter what your background, you can always find a place to belong.

Overall, 17 | Goals for Girls is a relatable and inspiring movie that not only highlights the challenges that young women face in pursuing their passions, but also celebrates the power of teamwork and the strength of friendship.