Steve McQueen’s Small Axe is a collection of five original movies, Mangrove, Lover’s Rock, Education, Alex Wheatle and Red, White and Blue. The first film, Mangrove will premiere on 15th November, followed by the release of the remaining movies one per week on BBC one and BBC iPlayer.
The films are set in the 1960s to mid-1980s portraying the London’s West Indian community, who have shaped their own lives through sheer will power, amidst rampant racism prevalent in that era.
Mangrove stars the Black Panther star Letitia Wright and Line of Duty’s Rochenda Sandall. The last film, Red, White and Blue, will feature John Boyega.
According to McQueen, he conceived the idea if Small Axe almost 11 years ago, and originally planned to be a series. Afterwards he decided if each would be a complete film, yet will be a part of the collection.
The stories describe and celebrate the achievement of the community in the face of hardships. McQueen mentioned that although the stories are based in past, it still carries tremendous similarity with the present world condition.
