Allihopa: The Dalkurd Story – Hot Docs 2023

April 27 to May 7, 2023

Film Info

FILM FESTIVAL
Hot Docs Hot Docs 2023

PROGRAMME
World Showcase

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The Dalkurd Football Club strives to be the first Kurdish team to play at the highest level in Europe in Allihopa: The Dalkurd Story. The Kurdish people are the largest state without a country, with Kurdistan being comprised of regions of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. Formed by Kurdish refugees living in Sweden, the Dalkurd Football Club is only one win away from moving to the elite Allsvenskan division. The team is followed through their final three games of the season as they fight to make history for the Kurdish people.

Allihopa: The Dalkurd Story Synopsis

Allihopa: The Dalkurd Story is an inspirational sports documentary by director Kordo Doski. Using the century-long plight of the Kurdish people as a backdrop, the film focuses on the Dalkurd Football Club, founded by Kurdish refugee Ramazan Kizil in Dalarna County, Sweden. Dalkurd has become viewed as the de facto National Team for the Kurdish people, and they cheer on as the team becomes on the verge of moving up to the elite Allsvenskan division of Swedish football.

My Thoughts on Allihopa: The Dalkurd Story

When Allihopa: The Dalkurd Story starts off by saying that the team needs one more win in their final three games, it becomes quite easy to assume that the team’s journey to the Allsvenskan division would come down to the final game; otherwise, this would be a pretty short and boring documentary. However, the film ends up being anything but, as the story of Dalkurd ends up being much more about the sport of football, with many of the players also engaged in the fight for Kurdistan to be declared an independent state. Altogether, Allihopa: The Dalkurd Story ends up being a very feel-good sports story with an important political message.

Trailer for Allihopa: The Dalkurd Story – Hot Docs 2023