Heysel '85 Film Reassesses the 1985 Stadium Disaster
New drama shifts focus from football hooliganism to systemic institutional failure.
1Challenging the Hooliganism Narrative
For forty years, the 1985 European Cup final disaster was primarily framed as a result of football hooliganism. Director Teodora Mihai’s film, Heysel ’85, rejects this simplistic trope. Instead, it presents the tragedy as a consequence of systemic institutional breakdown, focusing on the callous, self-preserving instincts of those in political power.
2Dual Perspectives on Crisis
The narrative follows two parallel viewpoints to ground the tragedy. Marie Dumont, a fictional press attaché and daughter of the Brussels Mayor, witnesses the crumbling of civic competence. Simultaneously, Italian journalist Luca Rossi reports from the ground while searching for his family members who were present among the Juventus supporters.
3Visualizing Structural Decay
Mihai utilizes fluid tracking shots through an empty hospital in Antwerp to simulate the oppressive, run-down atmosphere of the 1930-built Heysel Stadium. These disorienting sequences establish a sense of foreboding, reflecting the reality that the venue was widely considered unfit for a match of such massive international magnitude by the mid-eighties.
4Administrative Failure and Negligence
The film avoids blaming individual fans, instead casting a forensic eye on UEFA executives and local municipal government officials. It highlights the territorial friction between the municipal police and the Belgian Gendarmerie. Their inability to coordinate intelligence or establish a clear chain-of-command turned a combustible situation into an entirely avoidable tragedy.
5The Mayor's Grotesque Indifference
Josse De Pauw portrays the Mayor of Brussels as a cowardly, alcohol-dependent figure rooted in historical reality. A poignant scene depicts Marie fetching keys to a liquor cabinet for dignitaries just hours before 39 people died. This irony underscores the misplaced priorities of local leadership during the unfolding crisis.
6Integrating Archive and Fiction
Mihai leverages her documentary background to seamlessly integrate unaltered archive footage into the fictional narrative. This technique anchors the performances of Violet Braeckman and Matteo Simoni in historical reality. By avoiding sensationalism, the film ensures the genuine anguish of the victims remains the central focus throughout the cinematic experience.
7Corporate Damage Control Tactics
As the catastrophe unfolds, the film depicts UEFA and local authorities retreating into corporate damage control. Their primary concern remains liability and protocol, even insisting the match proceed despite the loss of life. This cold reaction serves as a sharp contrast to the grace and anguish shown by the Italian delegation.
8Legacy of Systemic Cowardice
Heysel ’85 serves as a harsh indictment of an establishment that abdicated responsibility long before kick-off. The film highlights that none of the responsible officials resigned in the aftermath. Following its premiere at the 70th BFI London Film Festival, the film will be released in UK cinemas on 20 November 2026.
Original article: FourFourTwo — Heysel '85 Film Reassesses the 1985 Stadium Disaster