Small Axe

This series of films are revealing regarding the history within Britain of a particular community, namely the West Indian one in the 60s and 70s. The concentration on detail is totally absorbing, bringing known aspects to life as well as less well known details that make this history real rather than simply a vague awareness of the hardships and discrimination that were suffered.

As well as the hardships, the films bring out the vibrancy and uniqueness of that community so also has a positive message, as well as an educational one.

I thought Mangrove was particularly powerful, both being depressing and uplifting at the same time! Also, the final one, based on education, was incredibly raw and insightful with brilliant acting. The others were also part of a masterful sketch, highlighting aspects of life and attitudes, warts and all, within that community at that time.

I was bowled over and feel I am now more in touch with important recent history in our country. Not only that, but more informed regarding the background of the current community.

Thoroughly recommended.

Small Axe gives a long overdue glimpse into the Black West Indian experience and civil rights transformation in the UK. The overt injustice and micro aggressions faced by black immigrants and their first generation children are very relevant to the racial dynamics that persist today. I felt proud to hear and see our stories portrayed and hope more story tellers continue to make films like these. To know where we are going we must know where we come from. Small Axe should be shown in schools and discussed.

I've always wanted to learn about the history of black people in the U. K. and particularly in London.

But boy, was I in for a surprise.

The directorship, cinematography, scripts, otherworldly classes of supreme art. So much depth, and intimacy, direct confrontation, painfully felt antagonistic views, pockets of genuine gentleness amidst grasping chaos . . . What a series.

Incredible. Loved every second of it, will be rewatching soon.

The most unique achievement from a filmmaker in recentimes. Steven Mcqueen has released five films(directed by him) over consecutive weeks last year concerning the struggles of the co-existence of the West-Indian community in London over a certain period of time.

All of the five films deals with a same theme but the treatment is different for every one of them. Each film has a unique story to tell and Mcqueen has done an incredible job in directing them with equal precision and importance.

A tale of police brutality,a tale of biased school system,alienation within own society,a story full of vibrance and life;Small Axe is nothing short of a spectacular achievement.

When I got to the ending of "Education" I wanted to give a hug to this collection of films... Feels like everything McQueen had done before (Oscars and all) was for the greater purpose of making these films as good as they turned out. Bravo!