Acting Hard
This collection explores representations of working-class masculinity in British cinema from the Thatcher era to the present day.
I’m the daddy now, next time, I’ll f****** kill ya!’– Carlin (Ray Winstone) in ScumThe 1980s were a thrilling time for film and television in Britain, with investment creating a new kind of industry that aimed to reflect modern society. Thatcherism promised social mobility, and working-class men became defined by how easily they could climb the ranks, so long as they mirrored the respectability that, until then, was associated with the upper classes. But not everyone played along and a new kind of working-class man emerged – one that seeped into popular culture, where he has remained. He enjoys drinking, breaking the law and engaging in violence. He’s a petty criminal (Scum), a gangster (Face) or a DJ (Young Soul Rebels). This collection invites you to take a closer look at these frequently misunderstood characters and to ask what they’re really about. - Nia Childs, curator
