THIS IS ENGLAND

The film:

Shaun is one of the main characters in 'this is england.' His father was killed in the Falklands war. He gets bullied daily at school and growing up a loner in a desolate town, he needs to 'find someone or something to believe in' which leads him to adulthood.

I watched the a small clip of Thomas Turgoose, the boy playing Shaun, being interviewed.

He seemed very similar to the character he played. He missed school, attending one hour a week, and whilst everyone queued up for the audition, he demanded that he get paid for attending. He'd also been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder.

In this clip, Thomas said he wasn't keen on acting, however the producer only wanted a child that would be himself, not an actor.

THE CAST:

(Thomas Turgoose) Shaun: Isolated 12 year old, who doesn't really get on with anyone at school. He then runs into the skinhead gang, and a friendship begins. Woody being the father figure he might have been searching for.

(Rosamund Hanson) Smell: She has a punk style fashion, similar to Boy George. She warms to Shaun and gives him his first kiss.

(Vicky McClure) Lol: Is Woody's girlfriend. She's friendly but a good leader to the girls, and isn't afraid of stepping in when the guys are out of line.

(Andrew Ellis) Gadget: Isn't the brightest of characters. He gets picked on by the others, as a bit of fun, about his weight and his lack of common sense.

(Andrew Shim) Milky: Is the only black member in the group. He is happy and has a warm home, but he becomes the focus of Combo's racial hatred.

(Joe Gilgun) Woody: Was the unofficial leader of the skinheads and takes shaun under his wing. He is a hard man image, but is very friendly and has a high moral sense, and he becomes uncomfortable with Combo and the direction he starts to take the gang.

(Stephen Graham) Combo: Was in prison for three and a half years, he is older than the other gang members, and welcomed back as leader when he was released. A very aggressive, seductive and dangerous character, his racial views forces the gang members choose sides.

SKINHEADS: 

Today, skinheads have the stereotypical character of being racist, thuggish and other forms of anti-social behaviours. It was never like that before. (In the sixties) It began with Mods that were welcomed into reggae clubs in London.

Here, they discovered Ska music and the components to define the skinhead look.

Black and white working class kids got involved with the skinhead culture. They bonded with the music and  forging a particular kind of English identity. (Boots, Braces, Suits, Shaved heads and Military style)

(In the eighties) Kids from council estates found their place by being different together. At the same time as Ska music, Punk also came about. Kids were dressed in Doc Martens and shaved heads would give the v to anyone that caught their eye.

QUOTES AND REVIEWS:

The Observer: "The directors best film yet. This is brilliant."

Total Film: "An electric, stunning and powerful movie, crammed with extraordinary performances. This Is ... The Best British Film of the Year. You'll be floored."

FHM: "Honest, vivid, funny and, at times, head-buttingly brutal."

ROMPER STOMPER:

Quite similar to 'This is England'. but set in autralia