Brexit the Uncivil War

« Explore how the film comments on British identity and nationalism in the context of the Brexit movement ? The film "Brexit: The Uncivil War", directed by Toby Haynes and starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Dominic Cummings, delves into the strategies and chaos behind the Brexit campaign.

Beyond its focus on political strategy, the film also offers a subtle commentary on British identity and nationalism, reflecting the complex emotions and divisions stirred by the Brexit movement. 1.

Fragmentation of British Identity The film highlights how Brexit exposed fractures within the British identity.

It shows Britain as a nation divided by class, geography, and culture.

The "Leave" campaign tapped into these divisions, portraying a Britain that had been "left behind" by globalization and modern politics.

This sense of alienation resonates strongly in areas outside London, where the idea of reclaiming sovereignty and control had a deep emotional appeal.

The narrative underscores how the concept of Britishness itself became contested, with one side yearning for a return to a perceived golden age and the other advocating for a modern, cosmopolitan identity. 2.

The Role of Nostalgia in Nationalism The film portrays the "Leave" campaign as leveraging nostalgia—a longing for an imagined past when Britain was a global power, unencumbered by external influences.

This nostalgiafueled nationalism is woven throughout the campaign’s rhetoric and visuals, from slogans like "Take Back Control" to imagery evoking World War II's "Blitz spirit." It suggests that nationalism, in this context, was less about specific policies and more about an emotional connection to an idealized version of Britain..... »