Must See: Fruitvale Station

Before Trayvon there was Oscar Grant III.  In the early hours of New Years Day 2009, Grant, unarmed and lying face down on a platform at Oakland, California's BART Fruitvale Station, was shot in the back and killed by a white police officer.  The whole thing was captured on video by spectators:

Ryan Coogler

Fruitvale Station tells Grants story.  Directed by first time African American director, Ryan Coogler, Fruitvale Station chronicles the last day in the life of 22 year old Grant including the chaotic moments leading up to his death.

Michael B. Jordan (young Wallace from The Wire) plays Grant.  Fruitvale Station also stars Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer (The Help) and is produced by Forest Whitaker.

Michael B. Jordan

Fruitvale Station won 2013 Cannes Film Festival's Best First Film, and the Audience and Grand Prize Award at the Sundance Film Festival.

If we're lucky, we will get a movie review from our resident movie critic, Shady Grady...

Fruitvale Station opens to a limited audience today, July 12 and nationwide on July 26.  If you find time, support the film, and then join in on our conversation.