I kinda grew up with the mistaken impression that skinheads are, by definition, neo-Nazis, or at the very least racist. Well, I learned something last night. Sitting late at night, flicking throught the channels, i came across a film on Channel Four – THIS IS ENGLAND.
 Only half of skinheads (a completely arbitrary estimate that will not hold up to any statistical evidence, so don’t bother) are racist. The other half are some pretty relaxed guys who just want to listen to Toots and the Maytals and wear Doc Martens.

This Is England, based on some of director and writer Shane Meadows’s experiences, follows a turbulent school holiday of 12-year-old Shaun. Set in 1983, Shaun’s father has recently died in the Falklands War. In addition, the young lad is picked on by his peers (and, in my opinion, understandably so) for wearing bell-bottoms and generally looking like a hippie. After a chance meeting with a group of amiable skinheads, he starts dressing like them, shaving his head, and getting into the variety of light-hearted mischief that makes little gits such lovable scallywags.

Unfortunately, the mixed group of friends is put to the test when former convict and raging maniac Combo (Stephen Graham) shows up and tries to coerce the errant lads into hate and “Paki”-bashing. His arguments stem from chestnuts—still fresh with the increase in popularity of parties like the BNP—on the importance of national identity and accusations of job-theft by immigrants. Paper tigers like the Falklands War and unemployment are presented and torn up, naturally, without clear logical pretext for the vandalism and intimidation that follows. From then on the threat of violence raises the tension on the otherwise capricious goings. If a horrible act of mindless violence offends, one probably shouldn’t seek out this film.

Thematically, the film touches on all sorts of theoretical touchstones. The idea of nationhood, spiritual fatherhood, coming of age tropes, politics, prejudice and class status are all packed so densely into the context of the pleasantly divergent narrative that this film could easily function as a subject for any number of undergrad theses.
If you are interested in social commentary, or want to understand what life is often like for young people in working-class area, and the influences on them – get this film ASAP. It a real eye-opener and comes highly recommended from this RandomArdsLad.