Ultras Documentary Celebrates Football's Most Dedicated Global Fan Culture
Ragnhild Ekner's documentary Ultras serves as a visually epic and surprisingly positive exploration of a frequently maligned subculture: football ultras. As an IFK Göteborg fanatic herself, Ekner demonstrates an even greater passion for ultras overall, traversing impressive geographical ground from Sweden to Morocco, Italy to Indonesia to underscore the universal nature of this phenomenon.
A Global Tapestry of Fandom and Rebellion
While acknowledging the collective force of ultras—what author Martin Amis once poetically termed "the Jupiter of the crowd"—Ekner's central argument posits that becoming a super-fan represents an act of individualistic rebellion against a suffocating political and economic status quo. The film weaves together breathtaking collective displays from around the world, showcasing the sheer scale and dedication of these supporter groups.
Ekner also passionately insists that, beyond mere opposition, this hardcore fandom is fundamentally about family and belonging. She and other interviewees testify to the profound strength of this solidarity, where the football match itself can almost become incidental. This sense of community gives rise to a fervent creativity, exemplified through elaborate tifos—giant banners unfurled by crowds featuring club insignia or fantastical tableaux.
Stunning Visuals and Creative Endeavours
A particularly memorable sequence follows the creation of a tifo for IFK Göteborg, which required an estimated 2,200 man hours and €30,000 worth of labour, with all work and materials donated purely out of love for the club. Another jaw-dropping moment captures the synchronised performance by supporters of Java's PSS Sleman, who transformed a terrace into a quasi-pixelated display by brandishing sheets of paper in perfect coordination.
Ekner's philosophical voiceover leads the narrative, but her clear partisanship means she does not deeply interrogate the many contradictions inherent in ultra culture. For instance, while fandom may be empowering for young Muslim women in some contexts, how does this align with the conformity ruling Argentinian stadiums, where female supporters must often abide by rigid macho codes?
Navigating Controversy and Political Dimensions
The documentary also skates euphemistically over issues of hooliganism, which feels particularly remiss given the current global political climate where many ultras groups have documented far-right and paramilitary affiliations. Even the aesthetics showcased—billowing flags and coordinated masses—carry a latent fascistic quality that Ekner prefers to largely ignore.
However, the film intriguingly positions ultraism as a lifegiving, elemental force through evocative imagery: the sound of crashing ocean waves beneath cascading chants, or a slow fade to a tree canopy as a Nueva Chicago follower discusses how fandom helped her overcome the grief of losing her son.
Progressive Potential and Partial Perspectives
Other segments highlight Ekner's view that ultras can be politically progressive, such as British non-league faithful reclaiming the sport from the Premiership's hyper-capitalism, or the role played by al-Ahly diehards during the Tahrir Square protests in Egypt. While this may present a partial perspective, the film's sheer visual power and emotional resonance make it difficult not to be swept along by its narrative.
Ultras offers a compelling, if somewhat one-sided, love letter to football's most dedicated supporters. It celebrates their artistry and community while gently acknowledging the darker aspects of this global subculture. The documentary is scheduled for release in UK cinemas from 24 April.
