Acclaimed Director Steve McQueen tells the story of the New Cross fire through this disturbing, moving and uplifting 3 part documentary series. Following the release of his superb drama series “Small Axe” late last year, McQueen has used the hard facts surrounding the partially fictionalised series to give a sense of realism to the black British experience, weaving the fabric of Small Axe together with one of its historical centre points.

The documentary focuses on interviews of those present or involved in the incident, a horrific fire which ripped through a house party in New Cross, which has long been suspected as an arson attack by far right affiliates. Although the series seeks to give balance to this claim by providing insight from the police officers who investigated it, McQueen is sure to give context to the highly racialized and volatile climate in 1981, with The National Front and their various offshoots effectively bombarded Britain’s black and asian communities with firebombings, street attacks and brazen marches. 

Insights from those present at the party, as well as Alex Wheatle, whose life story was told in the Small Axe episode named for him, ensures a continuum between the two works, seamlessly tying them together to form a cohesive story, primarily centring around the West Indian communities in London.