Front Lawn Film Nights: 'Bend It Like Beckham'

Get a bit of fun and fresh air with Asia Society this spring as we screen a collection of Asian and Asian American films outdoors on our front lawn! Spanning decades, genres, and cultures, our Front Lawn Film Nights series showcases groundbreaking filmmakers and artists who have made their mark in popular cinema.

Growing up in Hounslow, West London, Jess is a young woman trying to reconcile the culture of her conservative Sikh family with her goal of becoming an international soccer superstar. A sports comedy that is lighthearted even while addressing issues of race, gender, and family dynamics, Bend It Like Beckham was a critical and commercial success. Topping box-office charts across the world, it was nominated for a Golden Globe, BAFTA, and more — and was even made into a musical.

View the film socially distanced from your own lawn pod — we've outlined a series of eight-foot circles across our festival lawn, each of which can accommodate up to four people, giving you and your friends or family space to cozy up in. Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks to enjoy during the film!

We're also offering a Popcorn and Candy Package, which includes a candy box sampling some of our favorite Asian sweet treats, plus popcorn made fresh onsite. Each box serves two people; purchase your box online along with your tickets.

Please note we'll strictly adhere to protocols to keep our guests and staff safe throughout each event. Learn more about our health and safety protocols and procedures.

Front Lawn Film Nights at a Glance

March 5・Crazy Rich Asians
March 19・Bend It Like Beckham
April 9・Enter the Dragon
May 7・Searching
June 11・To Be Takei
June 25・Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Film screenings begin at 8 p.m. each evening.

Lawn Seating Pod (seats four): $30 Asia Society Members, $40 Nonmembers
Popcorn and Candy Package (serves two): $10

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About Bend It Like Beckham

A kaleidoscope of color and culture clash humorously as an Indian family in London tries to raise their soccer-playing daughter in a traditional way. Unlike tarty elder sister Pinky, who is preparing for an Indian wedding and a lifetime of cooking the perfect chapatti, Jess' dream is to play soccer professionally like her hero David Beckham. Wholeheartedly against Jess' unorthodox ambition, her parents eventually reveal that their reservations have more to do with protecting her than with holding her back. When Jess is forced to make a choice between tradition and her beloved sport, her family must decide whether to let her chase her dream... and a soccer ball.

Major support for Performing Arts programs comes from Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, Ellen Gritz and Milton Rosenau, the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, Houston Endowment, The Hearst Foundation Inc., The Brown Foundation Inc., Mary Lawrence Porter, and the Anchorage Foundation of Texas. Generous funding also provided by AARP, The Clayton Fund, The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts, Miller Theatre Advisory Board.Additional support provided by the Wortham Foundation, Texas Commission on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts,United Airlines, The Southmore, and through contributions from the Friends of Asia Society, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing exceptional programming and exhibitions to Asia Society Texas Center.

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