This Is England Close-Up (“Racist Bother Montage” Sequence)

Overview

The ‘Racist Bother Montage’ sequence is a pivotal moment in This is England (Shane Meadows, 2007). The sequence takes place after one of the members of the group, Combo, returns from prison with newfound racist beliefs. The scene depicts the group’s descent into racism, as they begin to target immigrants and other minority groups. The scene is significant as it highlights the danger of groupthink and indoctrination, and its impact on impressionable young people.

Ideological Analysis: Anti-Nationalist

The sequence primary serves as the ultimate indictment of nationalism, racism, and the toxic ideology that is often associated with it. The sequence is a critique of the rise of far-right movements, the dangers of groupthink and the indoctrination of young people into extremist ideologies. Meadows uses a variety of techniques to convey this message.

The camera work is gliding, graceful and carefully framed, as seen in previous montages earlier in the film. This creates a sense of unease and discomfort for the audience, as they forced to confront to the racism head-on. The film highlights the absurdity of racism, by portraying the skinheads as a group of pathetic losers. The group initially seems intimidating especially when in a large groups, most evidently when they bully the women in an underpass. However, they are individually pathetic and dim witted, as evidenced by their misspelled graffiti. This technique serves to undermine the group’s power and authority.

Meadows also depicts the indoctrination of Shaun, as he is taught racist phrases and is trained in the ways of racist hate crime. The grown men’s threats and bullying of children is also a powerful critique of their racist ideology. The overlay of racist graffiti imagery, symbolically conveying Shaun’s gradual descent into the racist culture. This technique serves to further highlight the dangers of racism and its potential for destruction.

Meadows provides an apt critique of nationalism and racism, highlighting their dangers and their potential to harm individuals and society. In effect, this creates a sense of unease and discomfort, as the audience is forced witness the repugnance of racism and the danger of extremist ideologies.

Narrative Analysis

The ‘Racist Bother’ sequence is also crucial moment in the film’s narrative structure. The scene serves as a turning point for Shaun’s character, as he is exposed to the dark side of the skinhead movement. The sequence is shot in a way that creates a sense of tension and unease, as the audience becomes aware of the group’s descent into racism.

The use of a manipulative non-diegetic score serves to heighten the tension and create a sense of foreboding. The music is used to underscore the dangers of extremist ideologies and their potential for destruction. The scene is shot in a way that highlights the danger of groupthink and indoctrination.