Shoot The Messenger wins ADFF 2006 Competition

SHOOT THE MESSENGER
UK, 2006, 100 min, drama, English, Ngozi Onwurah, dir.

With his career in ruins, and with his life at a crossroads, Joe Pasacale (Shakespearian actor David Oyelowo) is forced to come to the unhappy conclusion that all of his problems stem from black people - that is, his very own community. British-Nigerian director Onwurah and screenwriter Sharon Foster interrogate the notion of black self-im age (and self-loathing) with the audacity of a young Spike Lee in this funny, provocative and frequently scathing feature: following Joe's progress through the world, from idealistic teacher, accused of racism by the very students he was trying to help, to homeless London beggar - via detours in an evangelical Christian community, a spell in a government employment agency, and an interlude as a loving, if insecure boyfriend - they also chronicle his journey into paranoia and madness. Sure to ruffle some feathers Shoot the Messenger takes a startling look at race relations and identity, exploring one man's frustrations with his own community and with himself. This film is a must see!