Think of England
- Episode aired Apr 27, 1999
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6.9/10
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Martin Parr is a unique photographer in that he captures images that most of us simply wouldn't even register. He's worked all over the world but his special interest is two aspects of Englishness - working class fortitude and middle class aspiration. This documentary is an extension of Parr's photographic work. He seems to have been given a free hand to travel the UK filming moving picture versions of his stills and asking people what it means to be English. He appears to have been incredibly lucky to film in so much bad weather (which he loves). At one point passers-by walk almost horizontally against gale-force winds. He also likes rubbish cluttering the streets, and there's plenty of that too. Nobody says anything particularly scintillating, but it's not that kind of a film. The most notable moment is when an old bloke says that the blacks should be sent home, something we rarely hear today. At this point - again with astonishingly good timing - a black woman wanders into shot and says how much she loves living here. Did Parr get clearances from all the people who wandered into vision - I'm thinking particularly of the woman who lifts up her top several times - or wasn't it necessary back in 1999? I doubt if there will ever be another documentary quite like "Think of England", which makes it a must see. But I fully appreciate that it may not be your cup of tea. It was revived on BBC4 in the UK on 1.9.25 to tie in with a new Parr doco "I Am Martin Parr." That's a French production, which gives some idea of how highly Parr is regarded throughout the world.
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