Bend It Like Beckham + Short Film

ROE-BELLIOUS YOUTH! BFI FAN Rip It Up Season  

Youth, rebellion and the films that shaped us...  

What does rebellion look like today? And how much has really changed for young people across generations?  

As part of BFI FAN’s Rip It Up season, this youth-led programme brings landmark British films together with original shorts made by BA Film students from the University of Roehampton. Exploring identity, belonging, rebellion and self-expression, the programme looks at how young people have challenged expectations, questioned authority and found their place in a changing world.  

Each screening pairs a classic British feature with a student-made short responding to its themes from a present-day perspective. From political disillusionment and social division to digital dependence, gender expectations and uncertainty about the future, these pairings create a conversation between the young people represented on screen and those making films today- exploring how rebellion and ambition have changed, and what remains surprisingly familiar.  

The students have selected the feature films, created the accompanying shorts and will introduce each screening, bringing a fresh perspective to the films and their themes.  

Come and experience how youth rebellion has evolved through iconic British cinema, alongside the fresh perspectives of filmmaking today!  

Short Film: I Am Not Your Myth

In this short film, directed by Cerys Bain, I Am Not Your Myth is a 4-minute experimental film combining poetic narration, visual symbolism and mythological references. Inspired by Maya Angelou’s Phenomenal Woman and the Myth of Medusa, the film reimagines themes of female identity, protection and power, particularly in relation to women’s experiences of sexual violence. A recent graduate of Film Production at the University of Roehampton, the filmmaker draws on a background in performance and an interest in the power of human expression to engage and move audiences.  

Written and developed by: Cerys Bain & Jessica Owen

Produced by: Jessica Owen

Cinematography: Pablo Serebrisky

Featuring: Elena Noto, Zoe Cherrington, Harshita Negri, Jessica Owen & Cerys Bain

Dir/Run Time: TBD  

Main Feature: Bend It Like Beckham 

Jess, a talented young footballer, dreams of playing professionally but faces pressure from her traditional Sikh family. A joyful coming-of-age comedy about identity, ambition, friendship and challenging expectations starring Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley.