Ryan Coogler

by Joanna Orland

Director Ryan Coogler has made a grand entrance into the film industry with his first feature film Fruitvale Station. Since it first screened at last year’s Sundance Film Festival in Utah, this film has been unstoppable, winning accolades and awards including the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at Sundance 2013. It was buzzed about for this year’s Oscars, went on to do amazing things at Cannes, has made a bonafied movie star out of its lead actor Michael B. Jordan, and has put Ryan Coogler on the map as a director to watch.

Fruitvale Station is a true day-in-the-life story of Oscar Grant.  It is a character study of a troubled but kind-hearted man who ends up meeting a very dire fate at Fruitvale Station at the hands of Oakland law enforcement.  His murder sparked outrage and protests, but sadly this is not the only crime of its nature.  Racism, ignorance and fear have been long present in American society.

Coogler’s film not only makes a political statement by exposing Oscar’s tragedy to a wider audience and sparking discussion, but it is also a wonderful film on its cinematic merit.  Michael B. Jordan’s performance is outstanding, and the directorial style perfectly captures his portrayal of Oscar.  This is a film that is hard to watch, but one to watch.  Evoking feelings of distress in some, outright tears in others, it is powerful beyond words.

Read our full review of Fruitvale Station, in UK cinemas June 6th.