Announcing the December *Monthly Midnight Watch* Pick!
This one's for all the children of immigrants out there.
Rewatching and dissecting Daisy Jones and the Six was so fun and so satisfying. Shoutout to the MVPs who actually made it through that nearly 2 hour long podcast episode! I was hoping to trim things down for December, but I’m not so sure this month’s pick will allow for that…
For the December Monthly Midnight Watch episode, we’re making this a family affair! I’ll be joined by my brother Dorian and sister Jessica to discuss a series that’ll surely hit home for us children of immigrants.
Our December pick: Small Axe.
From the poster alone, I’m hype! Letitia Wright AND John Boyega?! We bout to see some A-C-T-I-N-G! Let’s just pray these Caribbean accents hold up…
Here’s a bit about Small Axe…
Small Axe is an anthology series comprised of five original films from Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globe-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen (Hunger, Shame, 12 Years A Slave). Set from the late 1960s to the mid 1980s, the films tell personal stories from London's West Indian community, whose lives have been shaped by their own force of will despite rampant racism and discrimination. The title is derived from the African proverb, “If you are the big tree, we are the small axe.”
Mangrove - The film tells the true story of The Mangrove Nine, who clashed with London police in 1970. The trial that followed was the first judicial acknowledgment of behavior motivated by racial hatred within the Metropolitan Police. (128 mins)
Lovers Rock - A single evening at a house party in 1980s West London sets the scene, developing intertwined relationships against a background of violence, romance and music. Lovers Rock was named the best film of 2020 by the British film magazine Sight & Sound in its poll of 104 critics worldwide. (68 mins)
Red, White and Blue - Spotlights the true story of Leroy Logan, who at a young age saw his father assaulted by two policemen, motivating him to join the Metropolitan Police and change their racist attitudes from within. (80 mins)
Alex Wheatle — The true story of writer Alex Wheatle and his spell in prison after the Brixton riots. (66 mins)
Education - 12 year-old Kingsley is held back by the unofficial segregation policies at his school. (63 mins)
As first-generation Americans of Jamaican-born parents, my siblings and I have shared an interesting lived experience toggling between two cultures. We have a complex connection to America — the only home we’ve ever known, the place that provided an opportunity for my parents to build the magical life they have for us, but a place we are quick to deny if anyone asks where we’re from. We hold on firmly to our Jamaican identities — despite America being our birthplace — because of the foundation, the history, and the roots that reside on that island. I’m excited to watch a glimpse of the stories of our parents, our aunties and uncles, and our grandparents in Small Axe and to gain an even deeper appreciation for the sacrifices and adversities overcome so that I could one day be sat up here on the Internet confidently writing about foolishness.
And I mean, look at these ratings! We’re in for a treat…
Get the series:
You can watch the series for free on Amazon Prime Video (provided you have an Amazon Prime subscription). Don’t have Amazon Prime? Watch it with a 30-day Amazon Prime free trial.
Watch the series:
Let’s plan to watch the series by January 1. We can all crush this over the holidays, right?
Discuss the series:
A Discussion Thread will open up on January 1 for us to discuss and chat! I’ll kick off the thread with a few guiding questions.
Then, I’ll publish a special podcast episode with my siblings where we’ll dissect the series inside and out. I would love to gather any questions you have or suggestions for the discussion. As you watch, you can send in your questions by simply replying to any of these Nite Owl emails.
Woo hoo!!