Perhaps in what might be progress in the evolution of sharing our stories beyond the U.S. shores, Altitude Film Distribution has announced plans to release Ryan Coogler’s award winning feature film debut, Fruitvale Station, starring Michael B. Jordan, in UK and Irish cinemas on June 6.
For years, African American headlined films have not always transitioned across the sea so well. Stars like Denzel Washington have even had his opportunities limited at times because studios were not comfortable the film would open well overseas. Naturally the action flicks usually do. However, Fruitvale Station is an interesting choice for release across the pond. It is a film that tells an uniquely American story which features Oscar winner, Octavia Spencer from The Help. I did not realize that actor Forest Whitaker was one of the producers.
Fruitvale Station tells the true story of Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old Oakland, CA resident over the course of December 31, 2008 as he works on being a better son to his mother (Octavia Spencer), being a better partner to his girlfriend Sophina (Melonie Diaz) and being a better father to Tatiana (Ariana Neal), their beautiful four year-old daughter. As the day goes on Oscar realises that change is not going to come easily and as he and Sophina celebrate the New Year and a fresh start, one truly shocking, tragedy shakes his community – and the entire United States – to its very core.
Here’s hoping the film does well and we can continue to break down barriers for actors, actresses and directors of color across the globe.
