Masculinity and the Identity of Football Fan Communities in The Hooligan Factory (2014) Film

Abstract

This study aims to examine the negotiation of masculinity and the construction of social identity within a football fan community as represented in the film The Hooligan Factory (2014). The phenomenon of sports fan communities is not only related to shared interests but also involves the construction of identity and masculine values developed through social interaction. This study employs a qualitative approach using film text analysis as its method. The data consist of scenes, dialogues, and characters’ actions that reflect practices of masculinity and the dynamics of social identity. The analysis is conducted using Butler’s concept of gender performativity to examine how masculinity is negotiated, as well as Social Identity Theory by Tajfel and Turner to understand the process of group identity formation. The findings indicate that masculinity within the Factory community is not static but is negotiated through various practices such as courage, aggression, solidarity, and emotional expressions that deviate from traditional masculine norms. In addition, the community’s social identity is constructed through processes of identification, comparison, and categorization, emphasizing loyalty and courage as key requirements for group acceptance. Thus, this study confirms that masculinity and social identity are interconnected in shaping the collective identity of football fan communities within popular culture.