British Film on Football Violence

Exclusive Look

Based on the bestselling novel by John King, The Football Factory is a gripping look at the phenomenon known as football hooliganism, set in the United Kingdom. A growing problem globally, football hooliganism is exposed for its effect on the hooligans, their firm and those around them. The star studded cast features Danny Dyer as Tommy Johnson, a long term hooligan who starts to question the sanity of firm meets, an organised gang fight between bands of hooligans from opposing groups.

The film follows Dyer, a member of the Headhunter's firm, who lives for the regular 'bust ups' organized at secret locations to prevent police intervention. Violent and vulgar, Football Factory provides the viewer with insight into this barbaric obsession of football hooligans with little focus on the game itself. Dyer portrays an aging hooligan brilliantly, capturing the conflict raging within, as he lives for the next meet where he and his firm will once again participate in senseless violence. Unlike other films focussing on football hooliganism, Football Factory does not glorify the violent acts and brotherhood of the firms. Instead it dissects the mind and life of the hooligans, the rise of member's within the ranks of the firm and insane attacks among firms, fighting a battle on the lines of club loyalty while having very little to do with the game itself.

Dyer is the central character who narrates the life, thoughts and goings on of the firm, individual members and his own change as he questions the sensibility of it all. Having been portrayed as a beer guzzling, drug using and violent character, Dyer's character evolves during the course of the film from a brutal firm member who is unable to relate to a 'normal life' to an aging hooligan who's attitude towards firm meets changes after an attack which leaves him physically and emotionally traumatised. Alongside Dyer's character is those of other members in the firms, the changes they are experiencing and the progression of violence as they sink deeper into thug life. Set against a backdrop of dingy bars and working class suburbs, Football Factory gives the viewer a rare insight into the life, mind and activities of football hooligans.

Buy Football Factory from HMV for £3.99