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

The Guardian UK Tuesday 30 June 2026, 23:01 UTC By Aamna Mohdin Community affairs correspondent 1 min read

Key Points

Ahead of England’s first knockout game of the World Cup, Love Letter to England celebrates what English people have in commonWhat 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.

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.

James Graham (PERSON) England (LOCATION) the World Cup (EVENT) English (ORG) Ian McKellen (PERSON) the National Conversation (ORG) UK (LOCATION)

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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

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