Istanbul United (2014), Directed by Farid Eslam, Oliver Waldhauer, Journeyman Pictures

United we stand

Farid Eslam and Oliver Waldhauer’s often mesmerising documentary from 2014, Istanbul United plunges us straight onto the terraces of Istanbul’s top three football grounds so we are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the most passionate football fans on the planet.

Instantly we are engulfed by a cacophony of songs, cheers, jeers, insults, gasps and celebrations. Each set of fans is led by their ultras: Beşiktaş by Çarşı, Fenerbahçe by Vamos Bien and Galatasaray by ultrAslan.

We are introduced to some of the faces behind these groups – each as fervent as the next – and are offered a glimpse at how these fans behave on and off the terraces. On match days they are wide-eyed, manic, tribal warriors. But away from the terraces they are thoughtful and articulate - fiercely committed to their club but aware of their role in wider society.

One supporter even uses the word “ultra“ in the form of being, “ultra-careful - even as one fan I represent [my club]”. Another says, “our biggest weapons are still our pens and our words.”

Come together

Cinematographer, Paul Rossaint captures the action on the terraces with terrific flair. The camera is always on the shoulder of the fans giving the viewer a real sense of being part of the crowd – you feel a part of every chant, every near miss, every goal celebration.

But Istanbul United has a wider purpose than simply revealing Turkey’s ultras at their most vociferous. It seeks to tell the remarkable story that emerged from the peaceful protests against the urban development of Istanbul's Taksim Gezi Park.

Gezi Park has long been used by the public to gather, to celebrate and to protest. The government’s plans to replace it with a shopping mall sparked protests which were brutally suppressed by the police authorities. As the police moved in with tear gas and water hoses, the protest movement began to grow and widen its scope to protest against the ruling AK Party and fight for the rights of freedom of assembly and expression.

The scenes of police suppression are expertly captured as we are again thrust deep into the crowd. The camera swirls amidst a cloud of tear gas as the police violently break up the protests as children cower in fear. It serves to illustrate that in this multi-media age perhaps the greatest weapon is the camera.

The footage is harrowing to watch and expertly captures the fear, confusion and anger of these violent confrontations. What happens next is truly remarkable.

Who’s boss?

Armed with gas masks and goggles, the various ultras set aside their tribal divisions and come together to join the protests. And if anyone is schooled in the art of protest it is these ultras - they have been in training for years.

In a fearless display they chant: “Come and shoot us with your tear gas! Take off your helmet, put your baton away and we’ll see who’s boss!”

In the aftermath of the protests the film contemplates what has been achieved and what the legacy will be of ‘Istanbul United’. Istanbul United masterfully succeeds in revealing the curious make up of the modern ultra - misty-eyed romanticism one minute, prejudice and frothing venom the next.

This spirited documentary also captures the raw energy of both the football terraces and the protests. In many scenes the film almost plays out like an action movie and you are left with a real sense of what it is like to rub shoulders with some of the most complex and intense ultras in world football.

For more information:

http://www.istanbulunitedthemovie.com

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/istanbulunited