Bend It Like Beckham

Curated by Shanzeh Usman, supported by Schayan Riaz

Eighteen-year-old Jess Bhamra dreams of playing football like her idol David Beckham, but her traditional Punjabi family has other plans. When she is recruited by a local women's team, Jess must balance secret training sessions, family expectations and the pressures of growing up between two cultures. With warmth, humour and infectious energy, Gurinder Chadha's beloved coming-of-age comedy explores identity, ambition and belonging, celebrating the courage it takes to pursue your own path while remaining connected to family and community.

“I choseBend It Like Beckham for its warmth, cultural resonance, and enduring relevance. Both a touchstone of early-2000s cinema and a timeless coming-of-age story, it invites laughter, nostalgia, and a sense of shared recognition; making it an especially heartwarming film to revisit collectively.” Shanzeh Usman

Shanzeh Usman is a self-taught chef and content creator from the South Asian diaspora. Rooted in traditional cooking practices, her work unfolds through nostalgia, memory, and creative expression. Through her initiative Mehfil, she shapes intimate, artful spaces grounded in collective experience.