Ben Stokes – “I said if we make the film I want everything in there

Ahead of the film’s premiere, Stokes talks about how the film came about, how he hopes it will be received, and what it’s like to present the rough and smooth in your life on its terms.

What were your thoughts when you first saw the film?
When I woke up in the morning, knowing that I was going to see the first cut of the film, I was a little worried, a little nervous. Because obviously I knew I did it, but I didn’t know what it would all look like when it was put together. All the movie parts, all these things that they would do to make it look like an hour and a half long interview or whatever.

I remember when it was over me and Claire [his wife], we just sat there for 15 seconds in silence. I was like “Wow”. I was blown away by it. It was very strange watching something that was all about me, but as I’ve said to a few people, it was like I was watching something about someone I didn’t know, even though it was me.

Did the film feel cathartic in any way? The things you’re talking about, I think this will be the first time the rest of us will have an idea of ​​it all. Those moments when you and Sam Mendes talk – from the outside it seems a little like therapy.
I wouldn’t say it was. Before we even started shooting this whole thing, we had a few meetings with Sam and the Whisper team [the production company]. I said if we do this, I want to make sure it’s very authentic, almost like realistic. I don’t want it to be a PR thing like, “Okay, let’s just do everything good and first and right and all for the good stuff.” I said if we do, I want it all there. I want it to be seen as an account of all the good things, but also the not-so-good things that happen – obviously publicly known, but with more detail. They were very happy after I explained that, because that was exactly the direction they wanted it to be and the direction they saw it going.

Coming back to these things about sun, you think how long ago this happened, then it reappears. These things will always have some effect on people’s lives, no matter how long the journey. It will always have a lasting effect on situations to people.

Even Bristol, again, was a long time ago for me, but there will still be lingering effects from it. My kids are grown now, I’m going to have to sit down with them one day and explain the whole situation because what we don’t want to happen is other people asking them about this and them being like, “What are you talking about? I don’t know what do you mean.”

“What people don’t get to see is me being me, where I’m growing up in Cockermouth with my friends, or when I’m at home with my kids, or when I’m not ‘Ben Stokes the cricketer'”

You are one of the most talked about and written about cricketers in the world right now. Did you feel in any way that you were directing the story on your terms?
yes Let’s just say that if other people get the opportunity to do something like this, I would really encourage them to be as open and honest as possible because it’s a real opportunity for you to be yourself and show people that you don’t you are exactly what you do. People will have an idea of ​​what I am like because of how I am on the cricket field or what I am like in a press conference. But that’s a very small part of me that you see. What people don’t get to see is me, where I’m growing up in Cockermouth with my friends, or when I’m at home with my kids, or when I’m not ‘Ben Stokes the cricketer’.

That was a really nice thing for me to be able to do. I wasn’t scripted, I wasn’t told to be more optimistic or “We actually didn’t like the way we came across, can we do this again but play it differently?” It was just “No, you just be yourself, that’s what we want.” It was something I really enjoyed when I was given the freedom to do.

It was fascinating to hear stories about your father. On the outside, he looked like a superhero in himself. The “My dad is harder than your dad” schoolyard argument – I feel like you win this conversation ten out of ten. Your understanding really shows in the film. It must have been special to be able to give people a snapshot of the kind of person he was and the impact he had on you.
Yes, I guess. I’m sure people will look at this, even people who have known me for a very long time, and understand better who I am because of how I am with my dad. They moved back to New Zealand when I was 21, so it’s not really a case where other people can go, “Ah, I totally understand why he’s like that” when you meet their parents. It will be interesting to see if, after watching this, people might say to themselves, “I can actually totally relate to why Ben is the way he is because of how he talks about his dad or what his dad was like when he was playing sports.”

When I first saw the movie – and I’ve only seen the first part – I really liked how the family stuff at home with mom and dad collided. It was quite real. You get a good understanding of maybe why I am the way I am.

When you were talking about Bristol, you said you were disappointed with the “suits”. There’s an anonymous suit that asked you for a selfie after the World Cup final. Is it supposed to remain anonymous?
Yes

The only thing I would say about the way cricket is at the moment with the schedule is that it needs to be watched a bit more sensibly. The three forms must remain. I’m not one to say that we have to get rid of one in order for the other two to be sustainable or successful. I’m saying that the schedule needs to be addressed so that all three formats are sustainable for people who want to play all three. This is currently not sustainable.

Every series, every match you play for your country is as important as the others when you think about it. Obviously this is not the true case because some series are bigger than others ie. Ashes over New Zealand game. But you still want to play because you are playing for your country. Unfortunately, the way things are now, you have to look at the schedule and go where can I take a break because I can’t keep doing this over and over because I want to play as long as I can.

Is administration something you might consider at the end of your playing career, not least because it needs people who sympathize with the players?
No.

Not at all?
You won’t see me there unless they change the dress code to smart casual.

You don’t have to wear a suit if you don’t want to…
No, I don’t see myself doing that in the future. You never know, I might be eating those words in a few years. But honestly, no, I have no desire to do that.

Ben Stokes: Phoenix from the Ashes launches on Prime Video on Friday