Steve McQueen Takes a Deep Dive Into Social Issues with His Multi-Part 'Small Axe' Film Project!

The 12 Years a Slave and Widows director is back at work with something BIG… so big that it’s Ironic that it’s titled Small Axe. Steve McQueen is unveiling, week by week, one of the most necessary projects of the year. “Small Axe” is a five-part film series depicting stories of London’s West Indian community in their fight against racial discrimination. The Anthology spans from the late-1960s to the early-'80s, each episode featuring a different acting talent for viewers to relish in.

The first part, titled "Mangrove", stars Black Panther’s Letitia Wright playing the real-life hero and altogether different sort of Blank Panther, Althelia Jones Lecointe. Wright takes center stage to tell this powerful story of the woman who was instrumental to the British Black Panther Party (yes, the British had a Blank Panther Party too!).

What’s magnificent about this film project is its timeliness! In the wake of worldwide civil unrest as seen in the BLM movement as well as resistance against governmental corruption in Nigeria (EndSARS), Black people from all over are standing up for their liberties. Besides "Mangrove", there is one other Small Axe chapter that’s currently out: "Lovers Rock" is the second film seen in the Steve McQueen episodic. This film counter’s "Mangrove" in that its focus is on singular relationships, and inside them, we can see a more sensual side of Steve McQueen. 

While there are only 2 episodes available as of this writing, be on the lookout for John Boyega in the upcoming "Red, White and Blue" on December 4, a dramatic depiction of the struggles a young Black British man finds himself grappling with as he attempts to tackle the police force from the inside. The following week, on December 11, will have newcomer Sheyi Cole lead us in our 4th installment of the series titled "Alex Wheatle", showing the trials and tribulations of the famous British novelist. 

The final installment of Small Axe is a story titled "Education", depicting the secret segregation policy many Black kids were victims of in late-20th century England. While little information is out on it, this is the only installment of the series that seems to star a child actor. Stay tuned for the "Education" trailer, and for now, watch "Mangrove" and "Lover’s Rock" on Amazon Prime Video. You won’t regret it!