Steve McQueen’s ‘Blitz’ Offers Unique Perspective on WWII London

Director Steve McQueen‘s latest film, “Blitz,” seeks to portray the chaos and complexity of London during the Second World War bombings, providing a grim and nuanced exploration of the era. The film, set to premiere at the BFI London Film Festival, offers a depiction of the bomb raids rarely shown in popular culture, focusing on the lives of ordinary citizens amidst the destruction and turmoil.

Speaking about his new film, McQueen emphasized his focus on the ordinary people who navigated the ongoing chaos: “We were not just fighting our enemy, we were fighting ourselves,” he remarked. The film captures the gritty reality faced by Londoners, from scouring over dead bodies for valuables to the chaotic battles faced by fire crews.

McQueen’s narrative centers around a young boy named George, played by Elliott Heffernan, and his mother, Rita, played by Saoirse Ronan, as they navigate life during the bombings. Rather than focusing on prominent historical figures such as Winston Churchill or Bernard Montgomery, McQueen opted to portray the lives of everyday Londoners, stating: “I was interested in ordinary people, how they navigated their way through this hell which was put on them.”

The film also incorporates diversity into its narrative, reflecting the multicultural aspects of wartime London. Benjamin Clémentine portrays a Nigerian air raid warden, and the social dynamics are enhanced with characters working in a racially diverse munitions factory. This commitment to diversity was rooted in historical research, as McQueen notes: “I wanted to find out what the landscape was. For example, off Seven Dials [in Covent Garden], there were like three black clubs.”

“Blitz,” shot in Hull, stands out not only for its visual storyline but also for its social commentary, which McQueen hopes will prompt audiences to reconsider their perceptions of war. “The reason I used the child’s gaze was to refocus our own gaze as adults,” McQueen shared, intending to challenge the audience’s desensitization to war and conflict.

The film’s premiere coincides with the anniversary of significant contemporary conflicts, drawing a poignant parallel to current global tensions, something McQueen addresses by saying, “Hopefully we can refocus our own gaze and see the bizarreness of war.” The casting includes Harris Dickinson, Erin Kellyman, and Stephen Graham, among others.

Kristy Matheson, head of the festival, praised McQueen’s work, describing “Blitz” as “visually dazzling” and a deep social commentary, emphasizing its impactful performances. The movie will be released in cinemas on November 1, 2023.