A Glimpse into the Past: A Child’s Journey During the Blitz
In a bustling London train station, a young Black boy stands clutching a suitcase to his chest, his small hands wrapped tightly around the handle. Dressed in an oversized coat that swallows him whole, he sports a flat cap perched atop his head, his expression a mixture of determination and quiet resilience. This poignant moment captures the essence of his journey as an evacuee during one of the darkest times in history. The photograph, taken during the intense eight-month-long bombardment of British cities by German forces in World War II, serves as a significant inspiration for Steve McQueen’s latest film, “Blitz,” which is currently screening in select theaters.
The image of the boy, leaving his home behind with a small suitcase in tow, directly inspired the character of George in “Blitz.” The film unfolds through the eyes of George (played by Elliott Heffernan), a biracial 9-year-old who is forced to evacuate London as bombs rain down on his beloved city. In a moment of desperation during the journey, George escapes from the train, leaving his suitcase behind, as he navigates his way back to his mother, Rita (portrayed by Saoirse Ronan), in the heart of east London.
In researching for the film, McQueen and production designer Adam Stockhausen were repeatedly struck by the profound “incongruity and heartbreak” evident in the imagery from London during the bombings, as Stockhausen shared in a recent interview. McQueen would often come across haunting photographs—a woman diligently sweeping debris from her devastated home or a man seated in a chair, smoking a cigarette amidst the ruins. Each image would inspire the creation of a new scene, resonating with the emotional weight of the era.
The meticulous attention to detail in the film’s production design is a hallmark of Stockhausen, who has previously collaborated with McQueen on critically acclaimed projects like “12 Years a Slave” and “Widows.” Through George’s perspective, the 1940s landscape of London transforms into a sprawling, intricate labyrinth. Capturing the vastness and complexity of the city was essential to the narrative, Stockhausen explained. However, logistical challenges and financial constraints made shooting on location in London impractical, and the team was determined to avoid relying on C.G.I. backdrops.
As the film unfolds, audiences are invited to witness the resilience of the human spirit amidst chaos, portrayed through the lens of a child’s innocent yet profound experience during a tumultuous time in history.
