February 16th: Today’s Feature

February

Steve McQueen - Film Director

Steve McQueen, CBE, (born 9 October 1969) a British director, screenwriter, and artist, is widely recognised for his notable feature-length commercial films Hunger (2008), Shame (2011), and 12 Years a Slave (2013). Born in Ealing, West London, England. McQueen's father was from Grenada and his mother was from Trinidad, and they had both migrated to England prior to his birth.

McQueen pursued his passion for art by studying at the Chelsea College of Art and Design and Goldsmiths College in London. During this time, he developed a strong interest in film, which led him to further his studies at Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, in New York City.

Although McQueen's time at Tisch School of the Arts was short-lived, he continued to explore his artistic talents through various mediums such as photography, sculpture, short films, and installations. His diverse background and artistic pursuits have contributed to his success as a renowned filmmaker in the industry.

Among his early works, McQueen created a range of films that showcased his artistic vision. These included Bear (1993), a thought-provoking black-and-white silent film featuring two nude men in a confrontational stance. Another notable piece was Exodus (1997), a brief Super 8 film capturing the journey of two individuals carrying potted palm trees through bustling London streets. Additionally, Deadpan (1997), which won the prestigious Turner Prize in 1999, offered McQueen's interpretation of a scene from Buster Keaton's Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928). Lastly, Drumroll (1998) depicted the artist rolling an oil drum equipped with three cameras, capturing the vibrant streets of New York City.

Despite his continued involvement in the art world, McQueen eventually expressed a sense of boredom with certain aspects of it. In 2003, he received a commission from the Imperial War Museum and the Manchester International Festival to create an artwork honouring the British armed forces' service in Iraq. The result was Queen and Country (2007), an oak cabinet containing pull-outs that housed a series of 160 facsimile postage-stamp sheet blocks. Each block paid tribute to a fallen soldier, displaying multiple images sourced from their families, along with their name, rank, regiment, age, and date of death. McQueen intended for the stamps to be issued by the Royal Mail for everyday use, but unfortunately, this request was declined.

Throughout his career, McQueen's artistic endeavours encompassed a diverse range of mediums and themes. From his early films exploring ambiguity and human connection to his later works addressing social and political issues, he consistently pushed the boundaries of artistic expression.

His ability to provoke thought and challenge conventions was evident in his acclaimed films such as Bear and Deadpan. Furthermore, his commitment to honouring the sacrifices of individuals in Queen and Country demonstrated his deep empathy and desire to shed light on important societal issues. McQueen's contributions to the art world continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.

In the year he was appointed as the official war artist for the Iraq War, he also began considering his first full-length commercial film, Hunger. This film, which won the Caméra d'Or at the Cannes film festival, utilizes extended shots, claustrophobic camera angles, and moments of silence to chillingly portray the final days of Bobby Sands.

Sands, an Irish nationalist, tragically died during a hunger strike in Maze prison in 1981. McQueen's film Giardini, shot in the off-season at the Giardini section of Venice, represented the U.K. at the 2009 Venice Biennale, where the U.K. pavilion for the Biennale was situated.

In 2011, McQueen released his second commercial film, Shame, which delves into the subject of sex addiction. Once again, he enlisted Michael Fassbender as the lead actor. McQueen's 2013 film, 12 Years a Slave, featured Chiwetel Ejiofor in the role of Solomon Northup. Northup, a free Black man who was abducted and sold into slavery, based on his own memoir of the same title, serves as the focal point of the film.

In 2014, the film achieved recognition by winning a Golden Globe Award and receiving an Academy Award for best picture. Additionally, McQueen's directorial skills were acknowledged with a nomination for best director. Moving forward, McQueen collaborated with best-selling author Gillian Flynn to write the highly acclaimed film Widows (2018), which went beyond the heist genre to present a multifaceted narrative exploring race, class, and gender. Furthermore, McQueen ventured into the realm of anthology filmmaking with Small Axe (2020), a series of five films centred around the West Indian community in London, which he both co-wrote and directed.

In addition to his other endeavours, McQueen has also been involved in Soundtrack of America, a series of concerts that took place over five nights as part of the inaugural program at The Shed, a newly established cultural institution in New York City in 2019.

Quincy Jones was among the team of music advisers that collaborated with McQueen as he directed a series of performances that paid tribute to the rich history of African American music. One notable project of McQueen's was his short film Grenfell (2019), which gained recognition when it was continuously screened at the Serpentine Gallery in London in 2023.

This poignant work featured footage captured by McQueen himself, showcasing the haunting ruins of Grenfell Tower six months after the devastating fire that occurred in 2017. The fire tragically claimed the lives of 72 individuals, injured around 100 people, and brought attention to the stark inequalities within the housing system in Britain.

McQueen's talent and contributions to the film industry were widely acknowledged, resulting in numerous awards for his commercial films at prestigious film festivals worldwide.

In recognition of his remarkable achievements, he was honoured with the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2002 and later elevated to the rank of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2011.

His exceptional work and dedication to his craft ultimately led to his knighthood in the 2020 New Year Honours list, solidifying his status as a respected figure in the arts and entertainment industry.