Den andra sporten

Saw this title without any information about its content beforehand and must say it was a true delight to be able to see the struggle that women in Sweden (of all places) had to encounter in order to play football/soccer. Strangely enough they won, which obviously isn't always the case when it comes to women and competitive sports, and also managed to create a niche for themselves that seems to groove constantly. The filmmaker(s) did a great job on accessing the characters and theme. I recommend this series to everyone interested and not interested in women's football/soccer. You won't be disappointed, trust me!

The director have managed to get an extreme and impressive closeness to the participants. The episodes in this TV-series give a great insight to a world few know about and that has rarely been shown. Great storytelling and structure despite not following the history in a chronological way. Interesting multifaceted characters that speak like real people not like the usual athlete. Very beautiful TV-series and well edited. Overall one of the best, if not THE best TV-series I have seen on Swedish Television. I look forward to more of these types of stories, maybe one day even men's football in Sweden will "deserve" a portrait like this...

I saw the three episodes of Den andra sporten (The Other Sport) just before the the UEFA 2013 Women's Euro and must say that it was among the best TV-series I have ever seen. It caught me from the first minute to the last. The interviews, the archival footage, the rhythm, pace and music, everything was of excellent standard. The audience get closer and closer to the source of women's football in Sweden (the world?) since the 1960's. We meet the most important women and men and they let us know what resistance they have met on the road. It is very, very much recommended to watch this series for anyone interested in seeing what it could be like to to do sports being a woman. Even in 2013.

A documentary series in three episodes released by public access Swedish TV-channel SVT that shows the story of how the movement of women's football (or for Americans; soccer) came about in Sweden from the late 1960's. A very nice and stylish tale of fight and injustice that does not aim at telling everything in detail and instead focuses on particular characters that has been important for the overall forward-movement of this the other sport (Den Andra Sporten) that not necessarily refer to a less good version of football rather a different one that may, or may not, be as good if not better than the first one being men's football. The director have managed to reach each character with brilliant sensibility and respect and this warm and generous contact really communicates through the screen. For people interested in what women have to go through to do what they want, like and believe in this is an invaluable documentary TV-series, and not just telling the story of football.

From the great lines of qualitative entertainment coming out of Swedish Television I believe this year's best effort is by far Den andra sporten (The Other Sport in Swedish), a three episode series on the history, conditions and development of women's football in Sweden since the 1960's. The filmmakers have close-up and truly insightful access to all the main people of the movement and this in connection with a beautiful visual language and editing makes for a great, great experience watching the fight and struggle these women have had to endure for over 45 years. The story is told in a way even a not-so-sport-interested person can follow and enjoy. It always feels like a luxury living in a country where this type of public access TV is produced and shown without commercials or advertisement.