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Shane Meadows returns with 'This is England'

The 'Dead Man's Shoes' director will draw on his own experiences to examine the rise of the National Front's y

May 13 2005

UPDATE - 'This is England' feature here.

After last year's brilliant, unforgettable 'Dead Man's Shoes', Shane Meadows has announced his next film, a hard-hitting drama that will deal with homegrown racism in the UK.

'Oi! This is England' will be set in the Midlands in the summer of 1983, and tell the tale of an 11-year-old boy who loses his father, shaves his head and falls in with the local division of the National Front.

The uncompromising story will revolve around the race riots that were tearing Thatcher's Britain apart at the time, and Meadows admits that much of it is inspired by his own experiences growing up in Uttoxeter in the early 1980s.

'The pulsing music and the skin-tight fashion, the "fuck the state" attitude and the primal violence left an enormous emotional print on me,' he told Variety. 'I believe this period of my life is the reason I became a filmmaker.'

The 'TwentyFourSeven' director is also calling the project his most overtly political film to date.

Filming is due to start soon, although there's no word yet as to whether Paddy Considine, Meadows' longtime collaborator and sometime writing partner, will play any part in proceedings.

User comments on this story

PEJ88 said...

This film is one of the best films I have seen in a long time. Stuff Hollywood this is what the Brits are about. Posted on Dec 19 2007 19:24

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Mel said...

One of the best films I have seen in years (just released in Oz). I think it portrayed the human side of the whole culture very well, the acting was brilliant, the historical/ political backdrop well portrayed, enough humour to lighten the subject, well-paced... A good film! Posted on Aug 18 2007 10:04

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kami said...

hate racists hate shane meadows hate NF and BNP they are lossers Posted on Aug 08 2007 17:43

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flipbot said...

Just saw this film last Friday in L.A. ...as one who'd been a (traditional) skinhead in the late '80s, I'd say that although this isn't the best film, it *is* the best film I've seen about skinheads by far. It's about freakin' time that someone portrayed them as sophisticated and fun-loving human beings with heart rather than a mindless lot of racist, ignorant buffoons. Even "Combo" (the racist character in this film) gives credit to the Jamaican population for inspiring him with their music in '69. You would *never*, and I mean NEVER hear any association with skins and black music, much less reggae, here in the USA. If there's anyone who needs to see this film, it's the American mainstream public who's always been fed the totally wrong image of skinhead subculture. Vet skins like myself, meanwhile, will probably wonder why films like this didn't come out in the '80s when they should have. Good job Mr. Meadows. Posted on Aug 07 2007 08:25

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lisa .. bootle said...

i love the film dnt no any1 init tho .. can any1 tell me if its craig charles who plays the 1 whos been in jail .. cant rember wat e gets cald init .. Thanxz .. its a great film . x Posted on Jul 30 2007 00:14

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dylan said...

just watched the film and it was absolutely fucking great! no matter what race or age you are i think you can really get something out of it- like the nature of humanity
the kid who played shaun was fucking great too Posted on Jul 15 2007 19:52

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daniel cowell said...

ive seen the film of this is englandand it is great! whens its release date?and will you make another shane.i thought thomas turgoose was exceptional in this film all praise to him he has a great future ahead of him well done thomas!daniel Posted on Jun 09 2007 21:58

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Lex Angel said...

He has won an award, you'll be pleased to hear. He has won a Best Newcomer award. Posted on Jun 01 2007 11:05

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bec said...

probably one of my favourite films. cant believe the lad you played shaun wasnt even an actor! he should get some award for that, especially as his mum died shortly before the filming of it. "classic!!" Posted on May 23 2007 13:56

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michael luxton said...

it gave me deep emotional thoughts , how hard it is to survive and to shout out that your british!! cause government has changed the way we are !! PLEASE release more of these films , to show what we are made of !! and how really proud we can be when we mention that we are british !! Posted on May 23 2007 07:23

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aden said...

no offence but the film is shit Posted on May 21 2007 21:25

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Lex Angel said...

I would urge anyone who thinks that this film shows all Skinheads as racist to watch it again. Properly! Posted on May 18 2007 13:37

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natalie said...

This film was utterly amazing even if its to do with violence and strong language! This was truely compelling from start to finish!!! Posted on May 18 2007 10:56

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das said...

Got the film not watched it yet but judgin from of the comments of sum of the ignorant people im gona watch it. by the way i sell d.v.ds so if any wants a copy give me a shout. Posted on May 12 2007 23:12

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russ billington said...

The end is bullsh*t how dare he throw the st.georges flag in the sea, a sign of pure disrespect. Posted on May 12 2007 19:41

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