Film about football icon Marinette Pichon: pioneer of world sport

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She came, saw and shot. French Marinette Pichon (47) is a pioneer in her field – a football icon from the 1980s. The film “Marinette”, which premieres this week in Switzerland, tells the tragic story of the footballer.

“Unfortunately you can’t because I’m a girl.” Those were the words of then-five-year-old Pichon on the sidelines when encouraged to play by a coach. Formed by a father with macho behavior, she initially thought she was not allowed to play football. “Well, that’s no reason,” said Marinette’s first patron, who was ahead of his time. In no time she proved she had more talent with the ball than most guys.

Seven years later, Marinette Pichon was the only girl to reach the junior final. She constantly felt the sexism: phrases like “Hey kitty, get off the field and play with your dolls” were everyday insults she had to live with. But that didn’t stop her from surpassing all the boys as a striker and easily silencing doubters with her talent.

Bend it like Pichon

Director Virginie Verrier’s stunning biopic pays homage to Pichon’s successful football career while also telling a family drama. Pichon found refuge and a means of emancipation in football while living with an alcoholic and abusive father was a nightmare for her and her family. While talent alone was not enough in the male-dominated sport, Pichon’s willpower and ambition were admired. From the age of 16 she was no longer allowed to play with the boys. As a player she earned so little money that she had to make ends meet with odd jobs. She shares this fate with many female footballers to this day.

Pichon became a football icon: she scored 81 goals in 112 international matches with the French national team and became French champion with Juvisy FCF. In addition, she was the top scorer in France.

Happy with a wife and two sons

At the age of 26, she became the first French woman to become famous in the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States. From that moment on, no one could stop her. She also found happiness in her private life and now lives in Canada with her wife and two sons. She was general manager of her former club FCF Juvisy and main presenter for women’s football on French television. “I don’t think I know what impact I had,” said Marinette Pichon.

Pichon laid the foundation for many other female soccer players.
“Marinette” can be seen in selected Swiss cinemas.

Source : Blick