Greenwich Ent. Acquires ‘Copa 71,’ Doc On Groundbreaking Global Women’s Soccer Tournament, Executive Produced By Serena & Venus Williams
EXCLUSIVE: Greenwich Entertainment has acquired U.S. rights to Copa 71, a documentary about the pioneering “Unofficial Women’s World Cup” that created a sensation in 1971 but has since been virtually erased from history. Rachel Ramsay and James Erskine (Billie) directed the film, which is executive produced by tennis greats Serena and Venus Williams and soccer star Alex Morgan.
Greenwich plans a summer theatrical release of the documentary, a co-production of New Black Films, Dogwoof, and Westbrook Studios.
“In August 1971, soccer teams from England, Argentina, Mexico, France, Denmark, and Italy gathered at Mexico City’s sun-drenched Azteca Stadium,” notes a synopsis of the film. “The scale of the tournament was monumental: lavish sponsorship, extensive TV coverage, merchandise on every street corner, and crowds of over 100,000 roaring fans turn this historic stadium into a cauldron of noise match after match.”
The synopsis continues, “A fawning media treat the players like rock stars. The atmosphere is reminiscent of the greatest moments in international soccer history. However, this is a tournament unlike anything that’s happened before. The players on the pitch are all women, and you’ve likely never even heard of it. This is Copa 71, the pioneering and unofficial Women’s World Cup. Dismissed by both the leading governing body and domestic soccer associations around the world, this extraordinary event had been sidelined in history, until now.”
In a statement, co-director James Erskine said, “We’re thrilled to be working with Greenwich to bring this truly remarkable story to the big screen.” Co-director Rachel Ramsey added, “Telling the story of these remarkable female sporting pioneers has been an incredibly
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