Ultras – Hot Docs 2025
April 24 to May 4, 2025
FILM FESTIVAL
Hot Docs
Hot Docs 2025
PROGRAMME
Nightvision
The subcultures surrounding the world’s most dedicated soccer fans are explored in Ultras. The dedicated fans who crowd into Football stadiums are considered to be the world’s most popular subculture. Ultras are responsible for creating the atmosphere at soccer matches, with their flag-carrying, singing, and elaborate tifo banners. Ultras from Italy, Argentina, Sweden, England, Egypt, and more talk about about the importance of this subculture.
Ultras Synopsis
Ultras is a documentary by Swedish filmmaker Ragnhild Ekner about the titular subculture that dominates football stadiums across the world. The film features voiceover interviews with Ultras from around the world, who explain the importance of this subculture to the sport of soccer. This includes elaborate, choreographed tifos in Sweden, a small group of Ultras that cheer non-league games in England, and the Ultras who participated in the revolution in Egypt, with very tragic results.
My Thoughts on Ultras
One of the goals of Ultras seems to be educating non-soccer fans about this subculture, which has often been associated solely with violence and hooliganism. The film keeps the interviewees off camera and allows the images to speak for themselves. While Ultras tries to be a positive documentation of this subculture, the film decides to climax on a tragic note by discussing the 2012 Port Said Stadium Massacre, where a group of Al Ahly supporters were trapped and killed, in apparent repercussion for participating in the Egyptian revolution. Despite this, Ultras ends up ultimately being a celebration of the most passionate soccer fans in the world.
Trailer for Ultras – Hot Docs 2025
