A Huge Achievement for Kan 11: The Israeli Series Conquers Europe
The successful thriller drama from Kan 11 has aired on the public network in Germany and is stirring a debate among critics, some of whom are discussing the surprising changes made for the local audience.
The Israeli success of "Hooligans" is now receiving a stamp of approval overseas. The drama series from Kan 11 recently aired on the German public broadcasting network ARD and on the ARD Mediathek platform, sparking significant interest among media outlets and critics in the country.
The series, produced by "Artza Productions", was created by Lee Gilat, Izhar Har-Lev, Yuval Bronstein, and Ester Namdar Tamam, and directed by Gilat. The plot follows Mani, played by Ben Sultan, a young man forced to serve as an undercover agent within a radical and violent football fan organization.
In Israel, "Hooligans" recorded significant success, with more than 13.5 million views across digital and television platforms. It was the first drama series whose final episode was broadcast exclusively on Kan BOX, even before its premiere on Kan 11. Now, the Israeli production is reaching the German audience and receiving increasing attention.
The newspaper nd defined the series as "exceptionally interesting," noting the combination of the football world with social and national research. According to the newspaper, this is a production that may join other Israeli series that have gained international recognition.
Other media outlets in Germany also referred to the series positively. In Weser Kurier, it was described as a gripping drama dealing with identity and belonging, while in PRISMA, critics noted that it provides insights into a world of violence and politics.
Alongside the compliments, some critics referred to the way the series was adapted for the German audience. Critics in media outlets such as Jüdische Allgemeine, Stern, Süddeutsche Zeitung, and Der Standard noted that the German dubbing somewhat diminishes the authenticity of the Hebrew and the original acting. However, even in these reviews, it was emphasized that the series manages to offer a unique and intriguing look at Israeli society, especially through its political and social layers.
The success in Germany comes at a time when work is already underway in Israel on the second season of "Hooligans." For the creators of the series, international exposure gives additional meaning to a story born out of Israeli reality.
Lee Gilat, the series director, commented on the reception in Germany:
"It is especially exciting to see the way 'Hooligans' is being received in Germany."
According to her, the series was never intended to be just a story about football or radical fans, but also dealt with the human need for belonging and the search for family and identity.
Gilat added that the series deals with the point where "personal anger meets social and political rifts," and that the fact that critics and the audience in Germany identify these layers and respond to them warmly proves that a story born out of Israeli reality can address universal questions that cross borders and languages.
