FRUITVALE STATION
Oscar Grant's death was immortalised on camera, another casualty of urban unrest. This is his life.
Inspired by a senseless police shooting in Oakland in the first hours of 2009, and produced by Forest Whitaker, Fruitvale Station was the toast of Sundance - winning both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award.
Prodigious first-time writer and director Ryan Coogler starkly observes pivotal moments in the too-short life of a conflicted youth, while Michael B Jordan (The Wire) delivers a star-making turn as the ex-con and father, with The Help's Octavia Spencer as his mother and Melonie Diaz his feisty girlfriend.
Grant's death was caught on cell phone video, the tragedy sparking nationwide commentary over race and violent protests about police brutality. Fruitvale Station reminds us that every martyr is also just a man.
Winner of the Un Certain Regard Best First Film award at Cannes 2013.
"An incredibly moving and confident first feature." - Indiewire
D/S Ryan Coogler P Nina Yang Bongiovi, Forest Whitaker Dist Roadshow Entertainment TD DCP/2013