Russia's Hooligan Army
Sociopolitical Documentary hosted by Alex Stockley von Statzer, published by BBC broadcasted as part of BBC This World series in 2017 - English narration
Information
This World: Russia's Hooligan Army
At the 2016 European Championships, violent clashes between Russian and English supporters in Marseille put the spotlight on Russian hooliganism. Russian hooligans injured over 100 English supporters, beating two into a coma, and it raised serious concerns ahead of Russia hosting the 2018 World Cup. Filmmaker Alex Stockley von Statzer travels to Russia to experience the country's football fan culture first hand. Featuring footage filmed in Marseille in 2016, rare interviews with members of some of the most feared firms like the Spartak Gladiators and Orel Butchers, and new footage of an organised fight for wannabe recruits, this show uncovers a world where brutal violence has become a mark of honour and a symbol of newly resurgent Russian masculinity.
Most Russian hooligans have moved away from the English movement that inspired them in the 70s and 80s. Today they are organised in firms that are teetotal, physically fit and trained in mixed martial arts. Police have enacted new laws promising bans and jail for any fans that cause trouble and are heavily policing stadiums. Alex travels to Oryol to speak to the Orel Butchers who violently attacked English fans in Marseille. We hear one hooligan taking relish in describing a merciless attack by a number of Russians who kicked an England fan in the head - an attack that was also caught on camera.
Alex also travels to Rostov, which will host five games at the World Cup, to film an organised fight in the woods. Here he meets with a local firm getting ready to audition for new members. Young men fight in a no-holds-barred brawl against young fighters from another local firm. It's a vicious clash similar to what was witnessed in Marseille and is one of the hundreds of fights that firms arrange all across Russia.
Screenshots
Technical Specs
* Video Codec: x264 CABAC
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* Video: Bitrate: CRF-22 (~3322 kb/s)
* Video Aspect Ratio: 1280 x 720
* Video Resolution: 1.778 (16:9)
* Audio Codec: AAC LC
* Audio: English
* Audio Bitrate: 160 kb/s VBR 48 KHz
* Audio Channels: Stereo 2
* Run-Time: 59 mins
* Framerate: 25 fps
* Number of Parts: 1
* Container Mp4
* Part Size: 1.42 GB
* Source: HDTV
* Encoded by: Harry65
Release Notes
Merged English Subtitles
Links
1) Further Information
* www.bbc.co.uk
2) Related Documentaries
* Communism and Football
* Football Hooligans and Proud 
