Creators:
Steve McQueenDirected by:
Steve McQueenCinematography:
Shabier KirchnerComposer:
Mica LeviCast:
Thomas Coombes, Gershwyn Eustache Jnr, Malachi Kirby, Jodhi May, Shaun Parkes, Rochenda Sandall, Letitia Wright, John Boyega, Nigel Boyle, Gary Beadle (more)Episodes(5)
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Mangrove (E01)
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Lovers Rock (E02)
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Red, White and Blue (E03)
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Alex Wheatle (E04)
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Education (E05)
Plots(1)
Created and directed by Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), the anthology series Small Axe tells personal stories about London's West Indian community from the late-1960's to mid-1980's. The title is derived from a Jamaican proverb which has resonance throughout the Caribbean, "if you are the big tree, we are the small axe". Small Axe is also the title of a Bob Marley song from The Wailers' 1973 album Burnin'. It means that relatively marginal or small voices of dissent can successfully challenge more powerful voices. Steve McQueen says: "I felt these stories needed to be shared. I wanted to re-live, re-evaluate and investigate the journeys that my parents and the first generation of West Indians went on to deliver me here today calling myself a Black British person." (HBO Europe)
(more)Awards
- Winner
- Nominations
Independent Spirit Awards
- 2021 - David Tanner, Steve McQueen, Tracey Scoffield (Best New Scripted Series)
European Film Awards
- 2021 - Steve McQueen (EFA Award for Innovative Storytelling)
Golden Globes
- 2021 - John Boyega (Best Supporting Actor – Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television)
- 2021 - Best Miniseries or Motion Picture – Television
Critics Choice Awards
- 2021 - John Boyega (Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television)
- 2021 - Best Limited Series
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards
- 2020 - Mangrove - Best Ensemble Cast
- 2020 - Lovers Rock - Shabier Kirchner (Best Cinematography)
- 2020 - Lovers Rock - Marshall Adams (Best Art Direction/Production Design)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
- 2020 - Best Film
- 2020 - Shabier Kirchner (Best Cinematography)
- 2020 - Steve McQueen (Best Director)
- 2020 - Lovers Rock - Mica Levi (Best Music Score)
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
- 2020 - Shabier Kirchner (Best Cinematographer)