Shoot the Messenger
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Ngozi Onwurah
David Oyelowo
Charles Mnene
Nikki Amuka Bird
Jay Byrd
Brian Bovell
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Disturbed by the problems within his own community, naive black Londoner Joe Pascale decides to become personally involved by sacrificing his high-paying tech job to become a teacher at an urban high school. In order to improve the prospects of his students, he utilizes a philosophy of "enforced education," determined to make these teens learn whether they want to or not. But when Germal, one of his most difficult pupils, accuses Joe of assault, the black community backs the teen, branding Joe as a traitor and further humiliating him by demanding his dismissal. Fixated on the idea that all black people are out to get him, Joe rapidly descends into madness and finds himself destitute. Eventually, the God-fearing Mabel brings him into her home, but even her kindness and generosity do nothing to quell Joe's fear of black people. In an attempt to repair his life, Joe visits a job center where he develops a friendship with his counselor, the new-age devotee Heather. As the two fall in love, Joe has difficulty accepting certain things about Heather: her woven hair, her insecurities, and especially her black friends. Ultimately he is forced to confront his issues with Germal, Heather, and his entire community.
Director
Ngozi Onwurah
Crew
Julia Crampsie
Jane Deitch
Richard Dyer
Sharon Foster
Yvonne Isimeme Ibazebo
David Kaznelson
James Merifield
Julian Nott
Jane Petrie
Anne Pivcevic
Hilary Salmon
David M Thomson
Liz Webber
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States 2006
Released in United States August 2006
Released in United States November 2006
Released in United States October 2006
Shown at Chicago International Film Festival (Black Perspectives, World Cinema) October 5-19, 2006.
Shown at Edinburgh International Film Festival (British Gala) August 14-27, 2006.
Shown at Tribeca Film Festival (International Narrative Feature Competition) April 25-May 7, 2006.
Released in United States 2006
Released in United States 2006 (Shown at Tribeca Film Festival (International Narrative Feature Competition) April 25-May 7, 2006.)
Released in United States August 2006 (Shown at Edinburgh International Film Festival (British Gala) August 14-27, 2006.)
Released in United States October 2006 (Shown at Chicago International Film Festival (Black Perspectives, World Cinema) October 5-19, 2006.)
Released in United States November 2006 (Shown at AFI/Los Angeles Film Festival (African Voices) November 1-12, 2006.)
