Watch Lucha: Playing the Impossible

Lucha: Playing the Impossible is a 2016 sports documentary film that showcases the heroic journey of the Argentinean women's hockey team, Las Leonas. The movie is directed by Ana Quiroga, who does an excellent job highlighting the profound struggles that the team faced to achieve greatness. The movie revolves around Las Leonas and their attempt to win the gold medal in the 2014 Hockey World Cup in The Hague, Netherlands. The team is captained by legendary hockey player Luciana Aymar, who's known as the Messi of hockey. The film features interviews with key players and their coaches, including Magui Aicega, who is a former player and now a mentor to the team, and Maartje Paumen, who is Dutch senior national hockey player. The documentary takes a holistic approach and tells the story of each player, their journeys, and what motivates them.

From the beginning, we see the team struggling with injuries, lack of funds, and time constraints to prepare for the World Cup. They have to train harder and smarter than ever before, pushing themselves to the limit. Through the interviews, we learn about the immense pressure on the players, how they have to juggle their professional and personal lives, and how each one of them has to give everything to the tournament to succeed.

Lucha: Playing the Impossible does an excellent job of portraying the dynamics of the team. From the captain to the rookies, every player has their story which is beautifully portrayed. The film highlights how Las Leonas went from being underdogs to garnering attention from the whole world. We see the players evolve from self-doubt to confidence, from being individually-minded to team players, and from being modest to winners.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the movie is how it highlights the importance of teamwork, and how one player's mistake can impact the entire team. The movie portrays the pressure of competing at an international level, the difficulty in maintaining concentration and focus, and how the players need to be emotionally and mentally strong to endure.

Lucha: Playing the Impossible is not just about the hockey team's story, but about the larger societal issues they face. The film shows how gender inequality, patriarchal norms, and financial constraints have impacted the team's journey. We see how the team has to fight to get the same level of recognition, support, and respect that the men's teams receive.

Ultimately, Lucha: Playing the Impossible is a tribute to the power of determination, resilience, and perseverance. It highlights the strength and sheer will of the players to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges to succeed. The movie is not just for sports fans, but for everyone who is interested in seeing an inspiring story about triumph over adversity.

In conclusion, Lucha: Playing the Impossible is a brilliant documentary that showcases the struggles and triumphs of an Argentinean women's hockey team. The movie is beautifully directed, and the storytelling is compelling, emotional, and engaging. The movie highlights not just the fierceness of the team's hockey skills, but their spirit and perseverance to fight against all odds. A must-watch for anyone looking for inspiration and hope.