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NEW WAVE OF BLACK BRITISH CINEMA ARTISTS

"Shoot The Messenger"

Introspective & Provocative New British

Feature Film Debuts at the

2006 Tribeca Film Festival

Screening Dates: April 26 - May 5, 2006

"A bold and daring feature by Ngozi Onwurah, "Shoot the Messenger" takes a startling look at race relations and identity, exploring one man's frustrations with his own community and with himself."

- Sara Nodjoumi & Aaron Dobbs

A new wave of talented Black British cinematic and TV artists is rolling into town next week as part of the Tribeca Film festivities. Most notable are three emerging artists: director Ngozi Onwurah; screenwriter Sharon Foster; and lead actor David Oyelowo who are linked to the film Shoot the Messenger. Produced by the BBC, this new film is hailed as a "brave and provocative drama." It will receive its international premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival where it will compete in the International Narrative Feature competition against top films from around the world.

The Village Voice has selected Shoot the Messenger as one of the top 40 films to watch at this year's Tribeca Film Festival. We urge you to check out the film and meet the artists who will be attending each one of the screenings. The Tribeca Film Festival begins April 25 through Friday May 5 (see screening details above). Love it or hate it, Shoot the Messenger is destined to provoke heated debate about the intra-racial challenges that impede Black progress and the possible fall-out from often well meaning, but sometimes poorly-thought out solutions employed by progressives whose only desire is to "save our people."

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ABOUT SHOOT THE MESSENGER

Together, Onwurah and Foster dare to tackle the sacred cow of Black accountability for some of the problems that beset and impede the Black British community's progress in the controversial film.

The story is told through the eyes of Joe Pascale (Oyelowo), a Black man on a mission. Joe believes he has discovered the solutions that could save his people. He quits his high paying, high tech job and embarks on a career as Education Enforcer in an inner city high school. The only problem is that the very kids he has come to "save" hate him. One of them, Germal, accuses him of assault. The situation rapidly escalates out of control. The police are called, the case goes to trial and the media run with the story.

The black community believe Germal's version of events. Joe is branded a race traitor and a vitriolic campaign is mounted against him. Unable to deal with the situation he finds himself in, Joe rapidly descends into his own bizarre world of madness, hatred and biblical curses.

Tickets: $12