Racist, patriotic, and imperialistic, the subjects of Broomfield’s second film - in which citizens from across the class spectrum are asked for their views about being British and Britain in general - manage to hang th...展开emselves, without the need of any commentary, with their own arrogant, complacent views.
Gathering numerous face-to-face interviews with residents of the conservative stronghold of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, Broomfield paints an ironic portrait of racist parochial views. Spread throughout the community, from the working class patriot Mr Feltham, to the local MP Ronald Bell and even the vicar, we see a cast of regressive, hypocritical creatures.
Comes across as very much a transitional film, containing neither the visual lyricism of Who Cares nor the engaging narrative drive of Behind the Rent Strike.
Broomfield intended for Proud to be British and Behind the Rent Strike to be shown together in a stirring clash of class-consciousness. This certainly makes sense and would add emotional vigour, as Proud is rather flat and one-dimensional viewed on its own.