New documentary explores football ultras culture around the world
- Text by Isaac Muk
- Photography by ULTRAS (courtesy of)
ULTRAS — Directed by Swedish filmmaker Ragnhild Ekner, the film takes an insider’s view of the terrace subculture, and the unifying power of fandom.
A new feature documentary, ULTRAS, dives into the world of football ultras around the globe.
It’s directed by Swedish filmmaker Ragnhild Ekner, who as an IFK Götenborg ultra herself, and will be released in UK cinemas from April 24, distributed by Bulldog Films.
Throughout ULTRAS, the crew travel to Bari in Italy, where they explore the birth of fanatic culture in the ’70s and ’80s, before travelling to meet ultras in Argentina, Poland, Indonesia, Morocco and the UK.
The film explores their oft-misunderstood public image, as well as their political sway in differing social contexts. In Sleman, Indonesia, the terraces are a space for Muslim women to be present, expressive and visible, while in Egypt, ultras played a key role in the Arab Spring uprising. Tifo creation is also highlighted, where fans craft huge banners to display at matches.
Football ultras are a subculture of fanatically devoted football fans. While the culture has faced scrutiny for violent clashes between supporter groups and authorities, as well as some groups’ leanings towards racist, sexist and homophobic ideologies, Ekner aimed to shine a light on the more unifying sides of ultras fandom.
Explaining why she wanted to make the film, the director said: “With my film I want to make the broad spectra of people on the terraces proud of what they are a part of. Give all those who see the stands as their second home a confirmation that they are part of something big and powerful, something worldwide and society-changing, something interesting and meaningful.
“In a polarised time, the football stand offers an unprecedented meeting place. It sounds as a cliché, but there we unite for our club despite differences in the other arenas of life. A joint invention that breaks boundaries and blows up barriers,” she continued.
“There is also a balancing act between the constructive and the destructive, the balancing act where many of us feel most alive. Where else would we go, without this chance to ventilate? There, a small world of its own is created within the big one, a world where it is the ultras who set the agenda and have the power.
“It’s about the force of the collective, and finding power and meaning in one’s life through a subcultural context.”
- Read next: Bohemian FC is more than a football club
Isaac Muk is Huck’s digital editor. Follow him on Bluesky.
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