Israeli Drama Series 'Hooligans' Debuts in Germany Amid Mixed Reviews
The Israeli drama series "Hooligans," produced by Ertzah Productions and created by Lee Gilat, Yizhar Har-Lev, Yuval Bronstein, and Esther Namdar-Tamam, has recently premiered in Germany on the public broadcaster ARD and its streaming platform ARD Mediathek. The show follows Meni (Ben Sultan), a young man who becomes an undercover agent infiltrating a violent extremist football fan group. Beyond football, the series explores themes of identity, belonging, and the intersection of violence, society, and politics.
German media have highlighted the show's unique approach to combining football with social and national reflection. Publications such as nd praised its social commentary, Weser Kurier focused on its exploration of identity and belonging, and PRISMA noted its depiction of the collision between violence and politics. However, the German dubbing of the series has drawn criticism from outlets including Jüdische Allgemeine, Stern, Süddeutsche Zeitung, and Der Standard, which argue that the dubbing diminishes the authenticity of the original Hebrew performances.
Lee Gilat, the series director, expressed her appreciation for the German reception, emphasizing that "Hooligans" is fundamentally about the human need for belonging and identity, and how personal anger intersects with broader social and political divides. She noted that the warm response in Germany underscores the universal nature of the story, despite its Israeli roots.
Meanwhile, production on the second season of "Hooligans" is already underway in Israel, continuing the narrative for its domestic audience as the German viewers engage with the first season.
