Fruitvale Station

UK audiences finally have the opportunity to view Fruitvale Station, the debut feature film from the startlingly talented Ryan Coogler.

Real life tragedy...

The film is based on true events, and re-creates the last 24 hours of the life of Oscar Grant, who on New Year's Day 2009 was infamously shot to death by a police officer in Fruitvale BART station, California. It stars Michael B Jordan, most recognizable for his work in 'The Wire', who gives a performance that "effortlessly draws the audience in" and has Hollywood comparing him to the powerful subtlety of Denzel Washington.

Behind the lens...

Production on 'Fruitvale Station' has a rags-to-riches quality to it. It is the debut feature of achingly precocious director and screenwriter Ryan Coogler, who is the grand old age of 27. Picked up by Oscar winning actor Forest Whitaker's production company, the film soon garnered the attention of Hollywood heavyweight Harvey Weinstein. Whitaker describes Coogler as one of films "truly unique voices, (a) true auteur". It seems others agree. 'Fruitvale Station' opened at Sundance where it won the Grand Jury Prize, and was also screened at Cannes where it won the award for Best First Film.

Who is Oscar Grant?

Oscar Grant is a previous felon, a father at 22; a man with a complicated life. It is through teasing out the specificities of his individual circumstance that Coogler dignifies his protagonist. Our sympathy is complete, our respect demanded and the value of an imperfect life beautifully wrought in a film that pushes the boundaries of what we can expect from autobiographical cinema.

With this in mind, we urge you to watch this, which showcases incredible new talent from both its star and its filmmaker.