Story By & Directed by: Steve McQueen
Written by: Alastair Siddons
Cinematography: Shabier Kirschner
Editor: Chris Dickens & Steve McQueen
Cast: Naomi Ackie, Kenyah Sandy, Jade Anouka, Nigel Boyle, Daniel Francis, Sharlene Wyte
Education is the coming of age story of 12-year-old Kingsley, who has a fascination for astronauts and rockets. When Kingsley is pulled to the headmaster’s office for being disruptive in class, he discovers he’s being sent to a school for those with “special needs.” Distracted by working two jobs, his parents are unaware of the unofficial segregation policy at play, preventing many Black children from receiving the education they deserve, until a group of West Indian women takes matters into their own hands.
This is part of Director Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series of films. A kind of miniseries of five films that showcase stories of the struggles of the Caribbean and black citizens in the United Kingdom. Shining a light on them and usually who they have been abused and mistreated by the system
This film seems to be more about a subject than a character. Though it is played out through characters, a central family mainly and the women activists. Who strive to help them and other families left in the same predicament.
The film focuses on a young boy in a working-class family. Who is disruptive and has a hard time reading. In his school his acting out is met harshly where he is routinely insulted and more put out by teachers who have no time for him and find him more of a distraction for other students. He is quickly removed from the school and sent to a new school for special children
Throughout we find out that this new school is barely a school that offers an education. As the kids are left to their own devices most of the time and when there are teachers around they seem more like they don’t want to be bothered or do whatever they want to do like play songs and consider that teaching.
These schools are obviously more like holding dens for children the proper schools want to deal with and don’t want to help or give proper attention to.
The crux of the film is educating the parents of children sent to Jesse schools as to what is happening and Kingsley’s mother really paying attention to it all and doing something about it as she searches for answers and resolutions to the growing problem. Which seems to target minority children and immigrant children.
As the teachers seem to not want to nurture these kids and are setting them up for no future. These ladies eventually set up Saturday schools meant to teach the lessons these children are missing and nurture them to want to learn and believe in themselves and most of all encourage them.
It shows you the caste and class system that still exists and the roots of education where it can take you and lead you and most of all how important it is to a child that you show attention and faith in them as much as a study has faith in you.
It ends open-ended but it is one that definitely ends with hope and an all-around happiness even if abrupt. It offers an answer and hopefully a promise.
Grade: B
Cut To The Chase 