Football (or soccer, to us North Americans) is one of the most popular sports worldwide. As such, it tends to attract a dedicated breed of fans, the sort who serve as a reminder that “fan” is short for “fanatic.” These fans, known as ultras are a fairly extreme group and a natural subject for a documentary. In Ultras, director Ragnhild Ekner takes a deep dive into the culture and psychology of this subculture, seeking to gain more insight into why they go to such extremes.
Interestingly, Ekner chooses not to show the faces of any of the individuals speaking throughout the film, focusing less on the individuals and more on the collective identity of these ultras and what brings them together. To this end, Ekner speaks with fans from around the world, making it clear that, regardless of where they may be, there is a certain common thread that binds them.
While ultras are known for their rough and rowdy ways and often associated with violence, interestingly, we don’t see too much of that onscreen (aside from a little light arson here and there), though as one fan attests onscreen, “Subcultures have always been associated with violence as a form of opposition to the prevailing social order.”
There are a few such comments through the film and at first, it seemed to be laying it on a bit thick – you’re going to a football match, not fighting in a war – but as the ultras share their testimonies and the film continues to show us scenes from around the world, Ekner makes it evident that, in a way, some of these fans kind of are going to war. They’re not just overromanticizing things – in countries where the citizens truly do face oppressive regimes, this is about more than just fandom and can actually lead to real political action and resistance.
Ultimately, whether it leads to getting involved in political movements or simply getting together to work on creating a massive banner to display at the match, what these fans get out of this is a chance to express themselves and a strong sense of community.
