Festival 2007

Shoot The Messenger

(cert. 15)

Ngozi Onwurah / UK / 2006 / 89 min.  David Oyelowo, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Charles Mnene, Jay Byrd

With Introduction and Q&A with Special Guest

David Oyelowo (Spooks) stars in a brave and provocative drama by Sharon Foster (Babyfather).

Joe (David Oyelowo) is a teacher with a mission. He's determined to save the black youngsters at his school from a life of gangs, crime and underachievement – whether they like it or not.  But when a seemingly minor incident rapidly escalates out of control and he loses his job, he turns against his own community.  The story follows one man's painful journey towards self-discovery.  Shoot The Messenger was screened to widespread acclaim at New York's prestigious Tribeca Film Festival. 

The screenplay, by Sharon Foster, is the latest winner of the prestigious Dennis Potter Screenwriting Award, set up in 1995 to nurture and encourage the work of new writers of talent and personal vision.