Chicago thrives as a mosaic of neighborhoods, each one constantly evolving with fresh arrivals and farewells.
Brighton Park embodies this pattern perfectly. Its streets and buildings have witnessed successive waves of communities. Today, the neighborhood pulses with Latino culture, and nowhere is this more evident than on the Kelly High School girls' soccer team.
These young women dream big—envisioning futures brighter than their parents', hoping to move forward and upward. Yet their aspirations unfold against difficult realities: limited resources, scarce support systems, and profound inequalities that challenge even the most determined dreamers.
Their remarkable journey comes alive in In the Game, a documentary following the Kelly High School girls over four years. This isn't just a film about soccer—it's an intimate portrait of a school, a neighborhood, families, and the predominantly Latino South Side community they call home. Created by Kartemquin Films, the acclaimed documentary collective behind Hoop Dreams and The Interrupters, this project was directed by Peabody Award winner Maria Finitzo.
We watch these young women confront harsh obstacles head-on. And yet, they persist, building meaningful connections and absorbing lessons that fuel their forward motion. Their coach, Stan Mietus—himself a Kelly graduate—emerges as an embodiment of resilience, self-respect, and determination that refuses to quit.
The documentary carries powerful messages for Chicago's expanding Latino community. But it also speaks to countless others who recognize similar threads in their own narratives—stories of shared identity forging bonds as people pursue their dreams. This universal resonance explains why the film has found audiences at Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Public Libraries, Illinois Soccer Association events, and various community gatherings.
View the film trailer: In the Game on Remezcla
This represents the kind of conversation Chicago needs—focusing on a high school girls' soccer team striving for their goals. These are the stories that unite us across our diverse city. These narratives strengthen our communities and reveal our shared humanity.
