Steve McQueen on making WWII personal with ‘Blitz’: ‘It’s about us fighting ourselves’

LONDON —

As I delve deeper into the captivating world of Steve McQueen, I am struck by the profound depth and raw intensity that permeates his work. Born and bred in London, it seems that this city’s pulsating heartbeat has seeped into his very soul, shaping him into a storyteller who unflinchingly portrays the city’s highs and lows with an uncanny authenticity.

Steve McQueen maintains a sense of optimism, which might seem out of place given global events, but he holds onto this hopeful spirit. This optimistic outlook is evident in his latest film, “Blitz,” despite its focus on London’s destruction during World War II air raids and the underlying racial tensions that persist in modern-day U.K.

At 55 years old, McQueen swiftly recites several contemporary disputes that echo the movie’s themes – in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Libya. However, he remains optimistic about the future, believing brighter times will come.

The filmmaker remarks, lounging comfortably in the quiet Soho Hotel room in London, amidst a busy day of press prior to BFI London Film Festival. He’s smartly attired in a black suit, yet maintains a relaxed posture on the sofa. His words flow swiftly, as if his thoughts are racing ahead of his speech. “Perhaps it’s probable, but perhaps not. However, it’s crucial to conclude with some form of uplift, a glimmer of hope amidst destruction,” he suggests.

McQueen has framed “Blitz” (releasing Nov. 1) with a monochrome image of daisies, symbolizing a poignant longing for a past ideal, despite the film’s focus on England’s most challenging periods. The narrative revolves around a young biracial boy named George (Elliott Heffernan), who is sent away from London by his mother, Rita (Saoirse Ronan), and grandfather Gerald (Paul Weller) as part of the British government’s evacuation plan for city children. Although Rita yearns to keep him near, the continuous and unsettling danger from bombings affects everyone. However, George eventually jumps off a moving train and embarks on a return journey to London’s East End through a sequence of chaotic events and coincidental encounters that profoundly alter his perspective not only on the world but also on himself.

McQueen expresses that typically, people consider wars as events taking place in remote locations. However, he aimed to convey that conflict can also occur closer to home, like what happened in London during the war. This film carries an authentic sense of urgency and intensity, unfortunately, intending it to be a thrilling journey through wartime London.

McQueen, born in London to West Indian immigrants, has resided in Amsterdam since the late ’90s. His early life in the city was heavily influenced by the Blitz, which shaped his perception of the British spirit – “remain calm and persevere.” As a child, he recalls traces of the bombings – empty buildings, redeveloped areas, playgrounds that emerged from the blast sites. Notably, the Royal Festival Hall, where “Blitz” premiered this month during BFI London Film Festival, was erected on the site of a massive explosion.

According to McQueen, “The ideas for this project were ingrained in my mind from the very beginning.” He goes on to explain that “The Blitz serves as a constant presence. It’s a fundamental aspect of who we are.

It’s no coincidence that all of McQueen’s films, such as the Oscar-winning “12 Years a Slave,” “Hunger” from 2008, and the unsettling psychological drama “Shame” in 2011, are dramas. These often include distressing scenes that expose humanity’s darkest aspects. Despite staring into the abyss, he manages to avoid cynicism. McQueen attributes this perspective to his upbringing as a Black child, who was constantly faced with the reality of his existence. His very being was political, compelling him to question everything from an early age. In his work, he satisfies that enduring sense of curiosity.

McQueen explains, “I create things because they are complex, rewarding, and challenging – sometimes even confrontational. I won’t take the easy route. This is simply my nature and what drives me. I’m on a quest for truth, or something else entirely – I’m not sure exactly what we’re searching for or what our goal is. But I know it’s intriguing when I work in a way that pushes boundaries.

While working on his 2020 collection of films titled “Small Axe” about London’s West Indian immigrant community, McQueen encountered a photograph that strongly resonated with him: it depicted a small Black boy wearing an oversized coat and holding a big suitcase, standing on a train station during World War II. The unidentified child was one of the over 800,000 kids evacuated from British cities during the war, and his discovery left a lasting impression on McQueen.

McQueen ponders, holding tight to the impactful image, as he recognizes that stories of war seldom include black children in the English context. He wonders, “Who is this individual? From where does he hail?

For McQueen, the tale of World War II wasn’t centered on soldiers at the front lines, famous leaders like Winston Churchill and George Patton, or the warfront itself. Instead, it was about the women laboring in munitions factories, families enduring nightly bombings behind blackout curtains or in underground shelters, and children grappling with racism in a nation that claimed to combat injustice overseas.

He expresses his fascination with the everyday individuals who faced the impacts of choices made by those in power, stating, “I found myself drawn to George, Rita, and their peers.

Similarly, Ronan, aged 30, expressed this very sentiment while discussing her experiences from her London residence in September. She shared that she wasn’t interested in participating in a World War II story in its conventional form.

Ronan shared, “Steve once told me something that stood out in my mind: ‘They felt as though they might die tomorrow, so they decided to live for the moment.’ There was an electric atmosphere, driven by a mix of fear and a sense of invulnerability. It seemed like everyone thought, ‘Why not? What else is there left to do?’

The film “Blitz” sets itself apart from typical World War II movies, presenting a raw and intuitive portrayal rather than an overly reverent one, while still adhering to historical accuracy. Director Steve McQueen sought the assistance of author Joshua Levine as a historical advisor and conducted extensive research with the Imperial War Museum and the British Library to craft an authentic yet original screenplay. As we follow the character of young George through the city, we catch glimpses of events that truly transpired, such as the flooding of a Tube station used as a shelter and the destruction of Café de Paris, later plundered by Stephen Graham’s gang led by Albert. Some characters, like Benjamin Clementine’s air-raid warden Ife, are inspired by real individuals.

In my perspective, when George leaped from that moving train, he defied the predestined storyline for him, demonstrating immense bravery. What I aim to emphasize to the viewers is that we, ourselves, are the architects of our personal narratives.

The director intentionally told the tale as if seen through the eyes of a 9-year-old, serving not only to enrich the story but also to emphasize our enduring fascination with conflict and challenge the reasons behind our destructive tendencies towards each other due to boundaries or beliefs.

McQueen explains that the central theme of this movie revolves around love. He admits that he feels self-conscious about stating this openly. As children, we learn to differentiate between right and wrong, good and bad. However, as we grow into adults, when do we start compromising these values? When do we choose to ignore the wrongdoings? When do we pretend not to notice? War is already dreadful, but viewing it through a child’s perspective magnifies its senselessness.

McQueen’s motivation is often described as an “observational curiosity,” meaning he has a deep interest in observing and trying to find answers to questions that might seem impossible to answer. As a filmmaker and visual artist, he carefully examines his subjects, and this careful observation can be seen in his latest work, “Blitz.” When the camera pulls back to reveal a smoldering, damaged London, there are similarities to his 2023 short film “Grenfell,” which depicted the heartbreaking aftermath of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, a tragedy that claimed 72 lives.

McQueen mentions that he occasionally finds himself curious about our identity and role in the environment, which he refers to as stepping back for a better perspective.

There’s also perspective to be found in the close-up. Actors obsessively want to collaborate with him and some, like Michael Fassbender, have returned again and again to his projects. His scripts are airtight, but McQueen always leaves space during filming for what he refers to as “magic.” It might be an unscripted moment between two actors that he captures or it might be an unexpected take where the emotion veers away from the original intent. The film, McQueen says, has to be better than the script, which means being open when “things actually happen.”

In simpler terms, Graham the actor explains during a different event for “Blitz”, “He makes you believe in his concept. He sets up an environment where you can freely act. Fear is absent because there’s no way to be incorrect, as there’s neither right nor wrong. You are just discovering what’s authentic. It’s like a brilliant football coach. He motivates you with an inspiring speech and then you put on your shoes and run onto the field.

McQueen’s latest projects such as “Small Axe” and “Blitz” look back to shed light on our future direction, and in this journey, he acknowledges that we all seem to be struggling with some level of madness. However, paradoxically, this exploration has intensified his focus on the power of love.

He explains that this film isn’t merely about battling the Nazis; it delves into our inner struggles. He passionately asserts that love is the ultimate reason for living and dying. In his view, there’s no other purpose. Despite all the chaos, absurdity, and hardships we encounter in life, if we concentrate on love, it can provide us with a sense of comfort.

Currently, the filmmaker appears to be embarking on a new chapter. As he enters middle age, he suggests that one tends to reflect upon their past to understand themselves better. However, his upcoming film might deviate from this pattern. It seems unlikely that it will be a comedy or an animated piece, as McQueen is not inclined towards distorting the reality of our lives. Instead, he appears to present things truthfully, giving us a raw and authentic portrayal of life.

“What this is doing is correcting [history] or reexamining it,” he says of his recent work. “It’s not about depicting life as some kind of dream. It’s about looking at how it actually is.”

With “Blitz,” we’re referring to portraying the dramatic peaks and valleys of life in London during wartime, without holding back on the critique. This includes addressing the stark reality of the racial prejudice that was prevalent at the time.

In my opinion, what makes Steve an outstanding British filmmaker is his unromanticized portrayal of the U.K. He prefers to reveal its imperfections, not shying away from the truth. Despite his affection for it, he acknowledges that idealizing the country can be misleading. Many creators, when dealing with Britain – and this happens in America too at times – tend to avoid depicting the harsh realities when working on large-scale commercial projects. I believe Steve’s approach of providing a balanced image of this land is quite astute.

At the London premiere of “Blitz”, coincidentally held on McQueen’s birthday, the director chose to reference John Lennon’s 1971 song “Imagine”. He shared with me that these lyrics express the optimism he experiences. They also highlight the solution he’s discovered throughout his journey of seeking answers.

He remarks, “The more I learn, the more I realize how much there is still to discover.” Yet, the one indisputable truth he identifies is love.

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2024-10-24 13:32