Renowned British filmmaker Sir Steve McQueen, celebrated for his impactful portrayal of the slave trade, is now focusing on the overlooked and often censored horrors that London faced during World War II. His latest film, "Blitz," is set to premiere at the London Film Festival (LFF) next month, offering a gripping depiction of life during the German Blitzkrieg—a relentless bombing campaign aimed at breaking Britain's resolve in the early 1940s.
Elliott Heffernan and Saoirse Ronan in "Blitz". Courtesy of Apple TV+
McQueen, whose previous work "Occupied City" explored the war's and Holocaust's effects on Amsterdam, was inspired to create "Blitz" after uncovering a tragic event at an east London tube station, details of which were suppressed by the wartime government to maintain public morale.
In an interview with the Observer while working on the film two years ago, McQueen stated, “Not many people seem to know about what happened at Bethnal Green. I discovered many things during my research that made me think: ‘How come I did not know about that?’ I’m thrilled to bring these stories to a British audience.”
Steve McQueen: ‘I kept thinking: how come I didn’t know about that?’ Courtesy of Matt Baron
Alongside his wife, Dutch director Bianca Stigter, who collaborated with him on "Occupied City," McQueen is committed to telling challenging stories that risk being forgotten by future generations.
"Blitz" will have its world premiere at an LFF gala on October 9 and features Saoirse Ronan as a mother in East London trying to escape the city with her nine-year-old son, encouraged by her father, portrayed by musician Paul Weller. The film chronicles the boy's tumultuous journey back through London as he encounters residents grappling with the fears and separations brought on by war. The cast also includes Kathy Burke, Stephen Graham, Hayley Squires, Harris Dickinson, and Benjamin Clementine.
The film's visual representation of wartime London is crafted by Adam Stockhausen, known for his work on McQueen's acclaimed film "12 Years a Slave."
The tragic event that inspired McQueen’s film occurred on the night of March 3, 1943, at the partially completed Bethnal Green tube station. In what became the deadliest incident on the tube system during the Blitz, a series of unfortunate events led to a catastrophic crush.
An air raid warning prompted residents to seek shelter at the station, which was more crowded than usual due to fears of retaliation following Allied bombings of Berlin. The arrival of three buses at the station's entrance further increased the crowd.
The crush claimed 173 lives, including 62 children, and was reportedly initiated by a mother carrying a baby who slipped on the steps. In the darkness of the blackout, panic ensued as people stumbled over one another, exacerbated by the sound of an anti-aircraft rocket being test-fired nearby, which many mistook for a German attack.
Survivors and rescuers faced lasting trauma, despite no bombs falling in Bethnal Green that night. The Ministry of Home Security estimated nearly 2,000 people were inside the station at the time. A government inquiry was held, but its findings were kept secret until after the war to prevent giving the enemy a propaganda victory.
Last year, the tragic event inspired the bestselling debut novel "Nineteen Steps" by Millie Bobby Brown, who learned about the disaster from her grandmother, a survivor. In 2017, a memorial titled "Stairway to Heaven" was erected near the station to honor the victims.
It has since come to light that local officials had previously requested funds to modify the entrance and install a central handrail. However, following the disaster, the council was sworn to secrecy. New handrails were added, and the steps were painted for visibility, along with improvements made to other station entrances.
Ahead of the film's premiere, McQueen remarked, “'Blitz' is a movie about Londoners. It honors the resilience and spirit of those who endured the Blitz, while also portraying the true representation of the people of London.”
Sayart / Amia Nguyen, amyngwyen13@gmail.com
Saoirse Ronan in "Blitz". Courtesy of Apple TV+
Renowned British filmmaker Sir Steve McQueen, celebrated for his impactful portrayal of the slave trade, is now focusing on the overlooked and often censored horrors that London faced during World War II. His latest film, "Blitz," is set to premiere at the London Film Festival (LFF) next month, offering a gripping depiction of life during the German Blitzkrieg—a relentless bombing campaign aimed at breaking Britain's resolve in the early 1940s.
Elliott Heffernan and Saoirse Ronan in "Blitz". Courtesy of Apple TV+
McQueen, whose previous work "Occupied City" explored the war's and Holocaust's effects on Amsterdam, was inspired to create "Blitz" after uncovering a tragic event at an east London tube station, details of which were suppressed by the wartime government to maintain public morale.
In an interview with the Observer while working on the film two years ago, McQueen stated, “Not many people seem to know about what happened at Bethnal Green. I discovered many things during my research that made me think: ‘How come I did not know about that?’ I’m thrilled to bring these stories to a British audience.”
Steve McQueen: ‘I kept thinking: how come I didn’t know about that?’ Courtesy of Matt Baron
Alongside his wife, Dutch director Bianca Stigter, who collaborated with him on "Occupied City," McQueen is committed to telling challenging stories that risk being forgotten by future generations.
"Blitz" will have its world premiere at an LFF gala on October 9 and features Saoirse Ronan as a mother in East London trying to escape the city with her nine-year-old son, encouraged by her father, portrayed by musician Paul Weller. The film chronicles the boy's tumultuous journey back through London as he encounters residents grappling with the fears and separations brought on by war. The cast also includes Kathy Burke, Stephen Graham, Hayley Squires, Harris Dickinson, and Benjamin Clementine.
The film's visual representation of wartime London is crafted by Adam Stockhausen, known for his work on McQueen's acclaimed film "12 Years a Slave."
The tragic event that inspired McQueen’s film occurred on the night of March 3, 1943, at the partially completed Bethnal Green tube station. In what became the deadliest incident on the tube system during the Blitz, a series of unfortunate events led to a catastrophic crush.
An air raid warning prompted residents to seek shelter at the station, which was more crowded than usual due to fears of retaliation following Allied bombings of Berlin. The arrival of three buses at the station's entrance further increased the crowd.
The crush claimed 173 lives, including 62 children, and was reportedly initiated by a mother carrying a baby who slipped on the steps. In the darkness of the blackout, panic ensued as people stumbled over one another, exacerbated by the sound of an anti-aircraft rocket being test-fired nearby, which many mistook for a German attack.
Survivors and rescuers faced lasting trauma, despite no bombs falling in Bethnal Green that night. The Ministry of Home Security estimated nearly 2,000 people were inside the station at the time. A government inquiry was held, but its findings were kept secret until after the war to prevent giving the enemy a propaganda victory.
Last year, the tragic event inspired the bestselling debut novel "Nineteen Steps" by Millie Bobby Brown, who learned about the disaster from her grandmother, a survivor. In 2017, a memorial titled "Stairway to Heaven" was erected near the station to honor the victims.
It has since come to light that local officials had previously requested funds to modify the entrance and install a central handrail. However, following the disaster, the council was sworn to secrecy. New handrails were added, and the steps were painted for visibility, along with improvements made to other station entrances.
Ahead of the film's premiere, McQueen remarked, “'Blitz' is a movie about Londoners. It honors the resilience and spirit of those who endured the Blitz, while also portraying the true representation of the people of London.”
