‘The things that connect us are fraying’: James Graham short film explores what it means to be English

The film draws on early contributions to the National Conversation initiative where people share their views on supporting the England team and what it means to belong. Photograph: James Graham View image in fullscreen The film draws on early contributions to the National Conversation initiative where people share their views on supporting the England team and what it means to belong. Photograph: James Graham ‘The things that connect us are fraying’: James Graham short film explores what it means to be English Ahead of England’s first knockout game of the World Cup, Love Letter to England celebrates what English people have in common What does it mean to be English? Ahead of England’s first knockout game of the World Cup, Ian McKellen and the award-winning playwright James Graham have released a short film that attempts to answer that deceptively simple question. The film, Love Letter to England, explores and celebrates what people across the country have in common. It draws on early contributions to the National Conversation, a UK-wide initiative that began last month . Members of the public are invited to take part by leaving a 60-second voice note sharing their views on not only supporting the England team, but also on what it means to belong and the kind of country they want to live in. View image in fullscreen As part of the National Conversation, members of the public can leave a 60-second voice note sharing what kind of country they want to live in. Photograph: James Graham The project forms part of the work of the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, co-chaired by the former Conservative minister Sajid Javid and the former Labour MP and policy chief Jon Cruddas. Graham said: “This is one of the most urgent areas of focus that we should be looking at, on a government and a local level. “We all know it. We all feel it in our hearts that the social bonds and the things that connect us, or traditionally have connected us, are fraying and breaking. That’s been going on for a very long time. It’s political, but it’s also social, cultural and emotional.” 1:40 Love Letter to England celebrates what English people have in common – video Graham, who wrote the play Dear England about Gareth Southgate’s time managing the England men’s team, said this was particularly true of areas such as north Nottinghamshire, where he grew up, and believed anger at the fraying of the social fabric has driven the political backlash across many areas of the country. He framed much of this around the loss of the physical public realm. “There’s no high street, the collapse of town centres and actual places to gather and be together as a community. But it goes beyond place as well,” he said. “The rhythm of our lives has changed. We are lonelier, more isolated and more alienated. That’s true of older people, but, upsettingly, true for young people too. They’re the loneliest generation we’ve ever had. How can that be when we have all these ways to connect us?