San Francisco Black Film Festival 2008

To “shoot the messenger” means to blame the person who comes with news that while bad, is also true. In Ngozi Onwurah’s film, the bad news is about the relationships between black people in the western world and it is delivered by Joe, a teacher with a mission. After losing his job because a group of students lie to the administration about his use of authority in the classroom, Joe finds himself the target of a community-led attack on his professional practices. Isolated and surrounded by family and friends who are more concerned about public perception than truth, Joe descends into clinical depression. Through a series of meetings and encounters, Joe finds his way back into the world. Produced by the BBC Shoot the Messenger is the winner of the Dennis Potter Screenwriting Award, as well as two BAFTA TV Awards. Shocking and insightful