Small Axe is Steve McQueen’s first British production in twelve years, Hunger being his last.

The idea behind the project started back in 2009 and the eleven years that followed, it has transitioned into five separate films focused on London’s West Indian community and their battles with racism and injustice. 

Three films have aired so far with the remaining two being released tonight and the following Sunday. McQueen highlighted the importance in the ease of access to the five-film anthology and as a result a UK wide audience can watch the films on the BBC iPlayer for the foreseeable future.  

The lack of black representation behind the camera in the UK is an issue McQueen has spoken about before and the Small Axe executive producers Tracey Scoffield and David Tanner accommodated his valid requests before production started. Every department in the production of Small Axe had two trainees to give them the opportunity of experience.

Casting director Gary Davy had the responsibility of unearthing the talent for the five films through drama schools, community theatres and word of mouth. McQueen described Davy as having a “never-ending well” of talented and versatile individuals to give opportunities to.

The three films I have watched so far have blown me away with the acting on show and rightfully feature as my top films for November.

My other recommendations from last month are films I have watched on subscription-based streaming and rental streaming for under £5.

Mangrove (2020)

Rating 8.5/10

The first film in the Small Axe anthology kick-starts in the 1970s focusing on the true story of The Mangrove Nine and the rise of British Black activism.

After repeated raids by the Metropolitan police of Notting Hill-based Caribbean restaurant The Mangrove, a peaceful protest takes place which ends up leading to rioting. The films central focus is on the Old Bailey trial that follows the incident.

In a handful of interviews, McQueen has stated the way in which Mangrove was written is comparable to a Western film. This influence comes from his upbringing within West Indian culture and his father loving the film genre.

The all-round cast put in excellent performances and for me, Shaun Parkes stood above the rest with his powerhouse performance as Frank Crichlow, the owner of The Mangrove.

I found this to be engaging and emotionally intense throughout with a cracking soundtrack.

You can stream Mangrove on BBC iPlayer.  

Lovers Rock (2020)

Rating 8.5/10

Into the 1980s with the second film in the anthology and something different from McQueen.

Working around a loose plot, we are treated to a West London Blues party from its laid-back beginnings to its sweaty finish. We drift between numerous party goers throughout the night with particular attention on the growing relationship between Martha (Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn) & Franklyn (Michael Ward).

McQueen has said the story was based on his Aunt who used to sneak out to Blues parties and the music choices were inspired by Janet Kay’s record “Silly Games”. The music picked by co-writer Courttia Newland was based on his childhood memories of the Blues parties his mother used to throw.

I loved the atmosphere and energy this had from start to finish, it was a great example of visual storytelling. The wonderful cinematography from Shabier Kirchner’s made for some memorable moments and the enthralling choreography throughout, especially in The Revolutionaries “Kunta Kinte Dub” scene, was a joy to behold.

You can stream Lovers Rock on BBC iPlayer.

Red, White & Blue (2020)

Rating 8.5/10

Staying in the 1980s with the third Small Axe instalment, we have a story based on the early life of Leroy Logan, the first chair and founding member of the National Black Police Association.

Following a brutal attack on his father by the police, Logan leaves his job as a research scientist to join the London Metropolitan police. His main aim is to change the racial mindset and mentality of the police force and to help change its reputation within the local communities.

John Boyega puts in a tremendous lead performance as Logan, he stated in an interview that with McQueen being such a passionate and expressive director translated into the overall cast performances. In preparation for the role, Boyega spoke a lot with Logan to understand his background and goals at the time.

We also have an intense father & son dynamic; Steve Toussaint puts in a great performance as Kenneth Logan, with tensions bubbling between the two throughout the film.

I will be looking into buying Leroy Logan’s recently released book Closing Ranks: My Life as a Cop where he chronicles his 30-year career in the Met.

You can stream Red, White & Blue on BBC iPlayer.

Honourable mentions:  

You Cannot Kill David Arquette (2020) Rating 8.5/10

Professional wrestling documentaries are well and truly booming. The Wrestlers and Dark Side of the Ring from Vice TV spring to mind and what we have here is something different from the celebrity angle. David Arquette is on a path to redemption to reconcile with the wrestling audience he enraged 20 years ago after famously winning the coveted WCW World Heavyweight Championship. What we have here is a no holds barred, brutally honest and personal document of Arquette’s struggles with his physical and mental health.

You can rent You Cannot Kill David Arquette on Prime Video, Google Play & YouTube.

Lucky (2017) Rating 8/10

Harry Dean Stanton’s swansong is a thought-provoking and philosophical journey from debutant director John Carroll Lynch. We follow Lucky (Stanton), an elderly resident of a small New Mexico town, and his day to day routine and relationships with the local inhabitants. This was a methodically paced character study full of sharp and witty dialogue. Keep an eye out for the magnificent mariachi birthday party scene.

You can stream Lucky on Prime Video.

Saint Frances (2019) Rating 8/10

The film centres on Bridget (Kelly O’Sullivan), who is starting a new summer job as a nanny to 6-year old Frances (Ramona Edith Williams). At the same time, she is also dealing with the aftermath of a recent abortion.  What sounds from the outside to be a potentially difficult watch, is handled brilliantly in the films charming comedic tone. It breaks down a lot of barriers and young Ramona Edith Williams is an absolute star.

O’Sullivan wrote and starred in this heartfelt and honest drama which tackles a variety of issues from womanhood to inclusivity. O’Sullivan is said to have got the motivation to write the film after seeing Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird and how well the women characters were written.

You can rent Saint Frances on Prime Video, Google Play & YouTube.

His House (2020) Rating 8/10

Remi Weekes’ assured directorial debut won me over with its engaging and layered storytelling, which can be a rare breed in the modern horror genre. After escaping war-torn South Sudan, refugees Bol (Sope Dirisu) and Rial (Wunmi Mosaku) are struggling to adapt to the English town they have been placed in and in particular the house they have been allocated. Finely executed scares and startling imagery used throughout the film built the tension.  On top of that, we are treated to first-rate lead performances from both Dirisu and Mosaku.

You can stream His House on Netflix.     

Angel Heart (1987) Rating 8/10

Private detective Harry Angel (Mickey Rourke) is approached by the cryptic Louis Cyphre (Robert De Niro) to investigate a missing person case, which in turn takes Angel down a dark and mysterious path. Adapted from William Hjortsberg’s 1978 novel Falling Angel, Alan Parker’s slow-burn mystery is filled with an unsettling and murky atmosphere throughout. Rourke puts in a commanding lead performance and De Niro is memorable even with the minimal screen time he has.

You can rent Angel Heart on Prime Video, Google Play & YouTube.

Images(1972) Rating 8/10

Following a worrying turn in their London home and concerned about his wife’s well-being, Hugh (René Auberjonois) decides to take Cathryn (Susannah York) to their Irish countryside retreat. What follows is Cathryn’s descent into madness. Robert Altman’s hallucinatory drama is beautifully shot by Vilmos Zsigmond and accompanied by a spine-tingling score from legendary composer John Williams.

You can stream Images on Prime Video & MUBI.

Seconds (1966) Rating 8/10

Bored, middle-aged banker Arthur (John Randolph) is approached by a mysterious company offering their clients a new face and wealthy lifestyle.  John Frankenheimer’s dark science fiction thriller was truly ahead of its time in terms of filming techniques, the fact this film is 54 years old astounds me. Based off David Ely’s morality novel of the same name, Seconds could have headed into the direction of what felt like an extended episode of The Twilight Zone, but it well and truly stands its ground.

You can rent Seconds on Prime Video, Google Play & YouTube.

Possessor (2020) Rating 8/10

Tasya (Andrea Riseborough) is not your traditional assassin, using brain implant technology she takes control of other peoples bodies to carry out her missions. Christopher Abbot steals the show here as Colin, who is Tasya’s next host body. This ambitious and visceral psychological body horror from Brandon Cronenberg is not for the faint-hearted with its extreme violence. It will undoubtedly appeal to fans of David Cronenberg’s work The Fly, The Brood, Scanners, Videodrome and eXistenZ.

You can rent Possessor on Prime Video, Google Play & YouTube.

Relic (2020) Rating 7.5/10

With my honourable mentions so far, it’s clear to see I watched more notable horror/psychological thriller films in November than October. Following the disappearance of dementia suffering Edna (Robyn Nevin), her daughter (Emily Mortimer) and granddaughter (Bella Heathcote) return to the family home to help find her. The eerie atmosphere built throughout this slow-burn horror was impressive. In my opinion, horror films that cover real subject matters – dementia in this case – are far more effective.

You can rent Relic on Prime Video, Google Play & YouTube.

Targets (1968) Rating 7.5/10

Another month and another Peter Bogdanovich film I enjoyed. This time around we have his directorial debut which has two crossover storylines, with the clear message of the rise in mass shootings in America. We have an ageing Hollywood film star, played by horror legend Boris Karloff, who is asked to make a guest appearance at a drive-in screening of one of his films.  We also have the startling exploration of Bobby (Tim O’Kelly) and the build-up to the events that follow. The tension bubbles throughout the film and erupts with some shocking and memorable imagery.

You can rent Targets on Prime Video, Google Play & YouTube.

You can find all my film ratings on my Letterboxd account.

See you next month with my December recommendations as we head into 2021!