Lexi Alexander’s Green Street Hooligans is not your typical feel-good movie. It’s an immersive, intense exploration of loyalty, trust, and standing your ground within the fervent world of football hooliganism. Far removed from lighter fare, the film delves into the tribal instincts of young men and their gravitation towards gangs and violence, posing profound questions about belonging and identity. In a conversation, director Lexi Alexander sheds light on the story behind Green Street Hooligans, the complexities of its characters, and the often misunderstood subculture it portrays.
Green Street Hooligans, featuring Elijah Wood, Charlie Hunnam, and Claire Forlani, is currently showing in select cities, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago, and is expanding to more locations soon.
IGNFF: Having gone in without prior knowledge, the intensity of Green Street Hooligans was striking, evoking a Fight Club vibe. Do you see that connection?
Lexi Alexander: I personally dislike that comparison. Fight Club, to me, lacked a meaningful message beyond criticizing materialism. My film aims for a deeper exploration of why young men form tribes and exhibit tribal behaviors. Why do they seek out gangs and violence? It carries a more substantial moral and message than Fight Club.
IGNFF: For American audiences, and perhaps the general public, the perception of football hooligans often leans towards them being simply mindless thugs. Was challenging this stereotype part of your intention?
Lexi Alexander: Absolutely, perhaps that was the central point. I was aware of the distorted public view of hooligans and football violence. They’re often dismissed as low-class, unemployed, drunken thugs. But the reality is much more nuanced. Many come from stable backgrounds and hold respectable jobs. There’s a hidden depth to this subculture, and they aren’t inherently bad people. I aimed to depict my characters with their complexities, revealing a surprisingly human and even admirable side.
Lexi Alexander and Elijah WoodLexi Alexander and Elijah Wood.
IGNFF: The intriguing aspect is the duality – these seemingly ordinary individuals leading double lives with a violent undercurrent.
Lexi Alexander: That inherent contradiction is what fascinated me. It’s a form of schizophrenia, and my personal experiences within this world compelled me to tell this story.
IGNFF: Casting Elijah Wood brings a certain perceived vulnerability to his character. Was this fragility intentional, making him an unlikely entrant into this violent world?
Lexi Alexander: Yes, that was intentional. But more importantly, the story needed a relatable viewpoint, an observer. In narratives that unveil hidden worlds, you need a character to serve as the audience’s eyes and ears. Elijah was perfect for this. While other well-known actors with perhaps greater celebrity sought the role, Elijah possessed the essential quality of being observant, a “fish-out-of-water,” allowing the hooligan world to take center stage.
IGNFF: He excels at portraying that observant quality.
Lexi Alexander: He truly does. He’s an exceptional observer, and also remarkably adept at appearing caught off guard, wide-eyed in new situations.
IGNFF: Exactly, that’s his essence – that sense of being taken aback.
Lexi Alexander: Precisely. He’s genuinely present in the moment. When confronted with something new, his fascination is palpable, his eyes widening with curiosity about the unfamiliar.
IGNFF: During an interview with him for The Two Towers years ago, I sensed that same quality. He becomes genuinely enthusiastic about subjects he’s passionate about, like Christopher Guest’s films.
Lexi Alexander: That’s right! Absolutely.
IGNFF: The characters’ lengths to protect their secret world are also compelling, especially against perceived outside influences.
Lexi Alexander: The animosity towards journalists isn’t arbitrary. Back in the 80s, hooligan firms cautiously engaged with documentary filmmakers and journalists, trusting them to tell their story without exploitation or revealing identities. These promises were broken. Betrayal is the ultimate offense to these men, who, despite their distorted world, value honor, promises, and loyalty above all. This shared betrayal fostered a united front, even among rival firms, against journalists and documentary filmmakers.
**IGNFF: Pete’s line in the movie, “F* journalists the lying bastards,” resonated, especially as a journalist myself. It raises questions about trust and trustworthiness, which are intertwined.
Lexi Alexander: Yes, and it surprised me. Promoting this film, especially in the UK, and facing press conferences was eye-opening. Every journalist asked, “What’s with the journalist hate?” Some were clearly offended by it. That line definitely bruised some egos.
IGNFF: Ego is certainly a factor, and ideally, it should be absent. Self-awareness and conscience are crucial.
Lexi Alexander: Exactly. Interestingly, some UK journalists reacted quite harshly to the film, seemingly disproportionately so. It felt like I had touched a nerve, perhaps because, as a German director with an American production, I was perceived as exposing a sensitive “English disease.” I was intruding on their territory and bringing uncomfortable truths to light. A PR agent pointed out that the line about journalists being “scum” likely contributed to the negative reactions. I hadn’t fully grasped how personally some journalists would take that fictional portrayal.
IGNFF: Rawness is often preferable to second-guessing. You can’t please everyone, especially journalists. You have to make your film.
Lexi Alexander: Indeed. Interestingly, American media, from what I’ve seen in reviews, has been incredibly kind. Critics I admire and have followed throughout my career have praised it. I was apprehensive about their reception, but thankfully, the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive.
IGNFF: Did Ebert and Roeper review it?
Lexi Alexander: Yes, “Two Thumbs Up.” And the following week, they surprised me again by making it “Pick of the Week,” which was unexpected and incredibly rewarding. They had high praise for the film.
IGNFF: That’s fantastic! Roger Ebert is a legend, especially for those from Chicago.
Lexi Alexander: Absolutely. I was worried about his potential critique. (Laughs) But his Sun-Times review was also excellent.
IGNFF: What’s your response when asked, “How does a woman direct a movie like this?”
Lexi Alexander: It often surprises people. But this wasn’t a hired gig; it’s a personal story. I co-wrote it and developed the concept. My film style, even in my shorts, centers around male worlds but aims to resonate with female audiences as well.
IGNFF: Looking at your filmography, that perspective is intriguing. Perhaps an outsider’s viewpoint combined with personal insight provides a unique lens.
Lexi Alexander: That’s often my approach. One short film was about boxing, this one about young men and violence. A male director might have made a different film, not necessarily better or worse, but different. My perspective brings authenticity and also captures the fear and vulnerability that hooligans themselves recognize.
IGNFF: Are there real-life individuals portrayed in the film who might take offense?
Lexi Alexander: Interestingly, active hooligan groups largely rejected the film, which I see as positive. It wasn’t intended as a glorification of hooliganism. The underlying message is that it’s a destructive path with severe consequences. So, their rejection aligns with the film’s message.
IGNFF: Did any hooligan groups assist in the film’s making?
Lexi Alexander: I received help from reformed hooligans, now authors on the subject, and they appreciated the film.
Lexi Alexander
IGNFF: Are there any books you’d recommend on the subject?
Lexi Alexander: Yes, Cass Pennant was incredibly helpful and has written several books. Congratulations, You Have Just Met the I.C.F. comes to mind, about the Inner City Firm, whose members were extras in the film. Dougie Brimson, my co-writer, has also written extensively, including Everywhere We Go and England, My England, among his twelve bestsellers on the subject.
IGNFF: Why do you think people find it unusual that a woman would be drawn to this subject matter?
Lexi Alexander: It reflects societal stereotypes. People see the intensity, blood, and violence in the film, and then see me – someone who seems the antithesis of that world.
IGNFF: It’s a visual irony.
Lexi Alexander: (Laughs) But it highlights our tendency to stereotype. I do it too. I often assume certain films are made by certain types of people. I recently read the script for The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing and was amazed by the writer’s insight, assuming it was a woman, only to find out it was a straight man. (Laughs)
IGNFF: Do you have a favorite film?
Lexi Alexander: Yes, The Insider by Michael Mann. Have you seen it?
IGNFF: Surprisingly, no.
Lexi Alexander: You must see it! It’s about the world of journalism and portrays journalists with such integrity and strength. It truly elevates my respect for the profession. Please promise me you’ll watch it.
IGNFF: I promise.
Lexi Alexander: I think you’ll connect with it. It’s about loyalty and the importance of trustworthiness, especially for journalists. If journalists can’t be trusted, we’re in serious trouble.
IGNFF: I agree wholeheartedly.
Lexi Alexander: Their integrity is crucial in a free world.
IGNFF: Just a fun question: what makes you happy about filmmaking?
Lexi Alexander: It’s the stories themselves. They resonate deeply within me, almost demanding to be told. They consume me until I can bring them to life. I’ve always seen myself as a modern-day storyteller, like those from old German films who traveled village to village, sharing stories that could touch and change lives. I want to be that storyteller.
IGNFF: From theater to theater.
Lexi Alexander: Yes! That ability to share stories and connect with audiences makes me incredibly happy.
