Sure, the new trailer for “Small Axe” dubs the anthology as a “new series,” but this project from filmmaker Steve McQueen is no TV series. In fact, it’s a group of five feature films that can be viewed separately or together and paint the picture of life for a group of people in London’s West Indian community throughout the decades. But again, this is not a TV series.
The trailer for “Small Axe” begins by showing how much music plays a role in the lives of various folks in the London West-Indian community, as a way for everyone to come together. But as the trailer continues, you see that not everything faced by the group is full of amazing food and dancing. These people have faced racism and violence from various other groups throughout their lives, and McQueen’s five films detail five of those stories.
“Small Axe” consists of five features, “Mangrove,” “Lovers Rock,” “Red, White, and Blue,” “Alex Wheatle,” and “Education.” Each film is directed by McQueen, who co-wrote three of the films with Alastair Siddons and two with Courttia Newland. The films feature casts consisting of great talent including Letitia Wright, John Boyega, Malachi Kirby, Shaun Parkes, Rochenda Sandall, Alex Jennings, and Jack Lowden.
Three of the films debuted at this year’s New York Film Festival. And if our reviews for “Red, White, and Blue,” “Lovers Rock,” and “Mangrove” are anything to go by, viewers are in for something special from “Small Axe.” But honestly, did you expect anything less? This is Steve McQueen we’re talking about. The filmmaker has previously released features such as “12 Years a Slave,” “Shame,” and “Widows.”
Amazon is set to premiere all five of the “Small Axe” features on November 20. You can watch the new trailer for the anthology below.
