New film shows wartime Britain through a child’s eyes

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McQueen says the film is based on extensive research

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Says research shows ‘quite cosmopolitan’ London

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11-year-old Elliot Heffernan made his film debut as a blank boy

By Hannah Rantala

LONDON – Oscar winner Steve McQueen had long wanted to make a film about the Blitz – Germany’s wartime aerial bombing of British cities – but the photo of a black boy waiting to be evacuated inspired him through a child. Inspired to explore the topic. eyes.

The British director of “12 Years a Slave” and “Hunger” told Reuters in an interview that his film “Blitz” is based on extensive research and true events.

While researching another project, he came across a photograph of a boy at a railway station – one of thousands of British children evacuated from towns and cities during World War II.

The film stars Saoirse Ronan as Rita, a Londoner who sends her son George, played by newcomer Elliot Heffernan, to the countryside for safety during the war. But George is determined to return home despite the dangers that lie ahead.

McQueen said that many of the characters and events George encounters are based on extensive research and documented by author Joshua Levin, who joined the project as a historical consultant.

“I thought, ‘You’ve got to fix this’,” McQueen said.

“Really, the research inspired me and led me to the story and George’s journey through London at that time. It was exciting because you got all these characters, all these facts, which unfortunately most people didn’t know, And you want to make them light up on the screen.”

The Blitz – from the German word Blitzkrieg, or ‘lightning war’ – lasted from September 1940 to May 1941. For Britons it brings up images of Londoners hiding in underground shelters and rallying to fight flames and rescue people from the debris.

McQueen said he discovered a diverse, “quite cosmopolitan” London through his research.

“There was a big Chinese community and there was a presence of black people. There were all kinds of presences here in London. I wasn’t trying to push any kind of narrative. It was just what was happening in everyday life in London. is found.” ” He said.

‘Big Adventure’

Like George, 11-year-old Heffernan began a transformative journey with film.

Heffernan, who was nine at the time of shooting, said, “It was a big thrill to be in my first movie, seeing how movies are made and going to different locations.”

The film also proved to be new territory for four-time Oscar-nominee Ronan, who worked for months with a vocal coach to prepare for the scenes in which she sings live.

“It’s something I’m always nervous to do in front of everyone, but I’ve always wanted to do it,” Ronan, 30, told Reuters.

“It was incredible to see how strong you can become after a few months at something you’re not a professional at. It gave me a lot of confidence.”

“Blitz” will be released in select theaters on November 1 and will stream on Apple TV starting November 22.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without any modifications to the text.