Brexit: A Very British Civil War film-maker reveals the biggest surprise from revisiting the referendum

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As a long-time film critic, I’ve always admired Norma Percy’s work – she’s won awards for documentaries covering huge events like Watergate and the Iraq War, and she even had incredible access to Putin and Obama’s White House. Her latest film tackles the Brexit referendum, and she approaches it the way she always does: by getting the story directly from the people who were actually in the room when the key decisions were made. It’s a fascinating and direct approach, and it really gives you a sense of the intense atmosphere surrounding that time.

As a total cinema fan, I recently watched ‘Brexit: a Very British Civil War,’ and it really struck me how deeply divided things became during that whole period. The documentary covers thirteen months of intense conflict, and honestly, it felt incredibly raw. The director, Max Stern, mentioned some of the people they interviewed said the process was almost therapeutic, which gives you a sense of how much emotion was involved. I learned that the series came about because of a desire to really explore what inspired that time, and how it all unfolded. It’s a fascinating look behind the scenes.

It’s 10 years since the UK voted to leave the EU – is that what prompted you to revisit Brexit?

It felt like the right moment to share this story, as many of the key people involved are still with us and have clear memories of what happened. We didn’t anticipate how timely it would become, but the issue of EU membership is now back in the political spotlight. The series begins with the 2015 general election – a victory for David Cameron and a resignation for Nigel Farage after failing to win a seat. By the end, the roles are reversed: Cameron has resigned, and Farage has achieved success. You could view it as the beginning of Farage’s path to his current position.

Some of your interviewees arouse strong feelings on all sides. How do you manage yours?

We don’t focus on presenting only likeable people, and we acknowledge that viewers will have their own reactions to them. We remain neutral and avoid taking sides. We present interviews as they happen, letting guests speak for themselves. While different people may offer different perspectives, we often find common threads in their stories. Issues like Brexit and the EU are deeply personal, so we aim to present all sides of the story. This approach is what allows us to secure compelling interviews.

Boris Johnson’s former top adviser Dominic Cummings is the only major figure you didn’t talk to…

It seems like there’s always a challenge with this person. I’m known for not giving up easily, and we really gave it our best shot. He was adamant about saying no, and it’s clear he feels a need to be in control of everything and doesn’t trust others to tell the truth. It’s his issue, and he’s chosen to have other people speak on his behalf.

Were you hesitant about inviting Peter Mandelson to participate, considering he had been dismissed from his position as US ambassador?

We interviewed him before his arrest. He previously served as an EU commissioner and was a prominent figure in the Labour party. He also masterminded the Remain campaign and was a very persuasive advocate – that’s the key information we present in the program. What happened to him after the events covered isn’t relevant to the story.

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You’ve interviewed many of these politicians previously. How have they changed?

David Cameron seemed comfortable discussing his interactions with Putin, though it was clearly a sensitive topic for him – understandably so. Boris Johnson remained true to form, recognizing the significance of these events in his own life. I particularly appreciated George Osborne’s focus on the economic consequences of Brexit, rather than immigration. His description of presenting a hypothetical budget illustrating the financial impact on families, and realizing it meant the end of his leadership hopes, was a powerful moment. He likely wouldn’t have shared that admission even recently.

What, for you, was the biggest revelation from the series?

It seemed to many, myself included, that Michael Gove and Boris Johnson’s decision regarding Brexit was purely political. While their reasons could be debated, it became clear that Boris, especially, genuinely struggled with the choice. He even asked his press advisor for guidance before speaking to the media. During the interview, we on the production team were surprised when he said, “I didn’t support leaving the EU to become prime minister; I believe I would have reached that position regardless.”

What subjects would you still like to cover?

Many people seem interested in following the approach to foreign policy that Donald Trump took, but the right time to discuss that hasn’t arrived yet. I hope I’ll still be working on documentaries when that moment comes.

Authors

Gabriel Tate

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2026-06-01 19:41