SHOOT THE MESSENGER

Origin Country: UK
Runtime: 100 MIN
Presentation Format: HD CAM

DIR Ngozi Onwurah SCR Sharon Foster PROD Anne Pivcevic EXEC PROD David Thompson, Hilary Salmon CO PROD Yvonne Isimeme Ibazebo DP David Katznelson ED Liz Webber PROD DES James Merifield MUS Julian Nott CAST David Oyelowo, Charles Mnene, Nikki Amuka-Bird

Short Note:
A highly provocative comedy about a young black man's feelings on what it's like to be a person of color. Shocking, disturbing and funny, this film throws a spotlight on racial attitudes in our world in a way that is anything but politically correct. From award winning young black writer Sharon Foster and Director Ngozi Onwurah, SHOOT THE MESSENGER is a startling and comic look at an extremely controversial subject.

Long Note:
SHOOT THE MESSENGER is a bold, funny, and controversial film directed by thepolitically explosive Nigerian-Brit filmmaker, Ngozi Onwurah. The film's opening line "...everything bad that has ever happened to me has involved a Black person," rouses and prepares you for a critically insightful and intellectually charged confrontation ofideological and cultural perspectives that is candidly rendered in this remarkably thought-provoking film.

The story chronicles an idealistic Black professional who decides to become a teacher in order to enhance the lives of young Black students. In a twist of irony, the well-intentioned professor finds himself pitted against the students he initially pledged to help and soon becomes a target of the Black community. Feeling betrayed, the young teacher directs his feelings of resentment and rejection against all Black people and adopts the belief that Black people are essentially the root of all evil.

This laugh-out-loud comedy brilliantly satirizes conceptions of racial identity and cultural norms. Cleverly written, with a spectacular performance from the film's leading actor, SHOOT THE MESSENGER is a refreshing contribution to an African film aesthetic that doesn't take itself too seriously.
-Sharifa Johka

Biography:
Ngozi moved from Nigeria to Britain with her family at the age of nine after surviving the Nigerian civil war. A passion for cinema led her to St Martins School of Art, where she graduated with a First Class Honors Degree in Fine Arts, Film & Video. Her graduation film COFFEE COLOURED CHILDREN, kick-started her career when it won first prize in the BBC Showreel competition. She then completed postgraduate studies in Drama Directionat the National Film & Television School.

Ngozi has been widely acknowledged as one of the most talented directors in Britain. More success and awards followed with further dramas and documentaries for a number of British and international broadcasters including SOUTH OF THE BORDER, a groundbreaking drama series for the BBC. She was awarded the prestigious honor of a special retrospective screenings at the New York Film Festival for her films, THE BODY BEAUTIFUL(Channel 4/BFI), MONDAYS GIRLS (BBC) and AND STILL I RISE (BBC). Her first feature film, WELCOME II THE TERRORDOME, won first prize at the Birmingham International Film Festival & the Cologne Film Festival as well as the audience prize at the Verona Film Festival. Ngozi has directed episodes of HEARTBEAT for Yorkshire Television, the top-rated British drama series with an audience of over 18 million. BEHIND THE MASK (BBC/M-Net, Africa), a drama-documentary made in collaboration with Broker Prizewinner Ben Okri has been a great success in international television markets. I BRING YOU FRANKINCENSE (BBC) was premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and received awards at several international film festivals. HANGTIME (M-Net/Wellspring) had atheatrical release in America as part of MAMA AFRICA. SHOOT THE MESSENGER (BBCFilms) is her first project following a 4-year 'baby making' break.