The Young Girls of "Sogdiana"

The Young Girls of "Sogdiana" (1988) is a gentle romantic comedy by Mukadas Makhmudov, available to watch online on iFILM. Malika, a student in Dushanbe, plays center forward for the women's field hockey side and cares far more about the game than about suitors.

Then Said turns up. Back from university in Bombay, he brought home more than a degree — a hockey method, kung fu moves, and even the tricks of Indian dancers. He falls for Malika at first sight and signs on as Sogdiana's coach. Stung by his constant corrections, the proud athlete defects to the synchronized swimming squad out of spite, leaving Said to sneak poolside disguised as a reporter. Olga Shakhparonova and Andrei Gradov lead the cast. Warm late-Soviet cinema from Tajikistan, where sport, comedy and southern color blend more smoothly than you'd expect. Stream The Young Girls of "Sogdiana" online on iFILM.