Cannes competitioner shows black solidarity

Famed movie maker Steve McQueen has dedicated his two 2020 Cannes competing movies to George Floyd.

While the 73rd edition of the French film event reveals its competition lineup, the British filmmaker – moved by the recent murder of George Floyd by the US police – has dedicated his two movies ‘Lovers Rock’ and ‘Mangrove’ to the deceased man.

The Oscar and BAFTA-winning helmer notes, “I dedicate these films to George Floyd and all the other black people that have been murdered, seen or unseen, because of who they are, in the US, UK and elsewhere”.

The two movies ‘Lovers Rock’ and ‘Mangrove’ are part of a bigger project names ‘Small Axe’ TV series that McQueen has been commissioned to make by BBC. The three other films of this series are ‘Alex Wheatle’, ‘Education’ and ‘’Red, White and Blue.

The five films narrate personal stories of Indian community who lived in London during the 60s through 80s.

On May 25, 2020, a white American cop kneels onto the neck of George Floyd – a black man – for more than eight minutes, two minutes of which have been after the man was completely unresponsive and dead.

The killing of this man has been protested widely by the American citizens and also by huge film streaming firms and film festivals. Netfilx, Hulu, Amazon and the Oscars are some such big names which have joined the movement against this savage act.

In spite of the cancellation of this year’s edition of the Cannes Film Festival over coronavirus pandemic, the event has selected 56 movies for its Official Selection in honor of the movies. See the selected lineup here.

AA/MM