Shoot the Messenger (2006) User Reviews (27)

Stripping Black Britain Naked!!! & About Time Too!!!!

[simoneo · 8/10 · 31 August 2006]

I felt obligated to comment after reading the comment by [e-mail] from London, UK.

www.ligali.org is the African British Equality Authority. A Pan African Human Rights Organisation that challenge the misrepresentation of African people and culture in the British media. Their remit is to actively campaign for cultural, economic, political and social justice on behalf of the African community.

I feel a need to put forward an alternative position as I feel that the Legali agenda has created a bias and I feel a need to represent those of us without a political agenda.

Dear Toyin, I really appreciated your comments on "Shoot The Messenger", I totally see where you are coming from but I felt compelled to offer my own 2 cents (or pence rather).

First of the film explored the British Caribbean experience which is vastly different from that of Africans. Correct me if I am wrong but none of the lead characters were African all of Caribbean heritage. Following the history of slavery, Caribbeans tend to carry more of the psychological wounds and perpetuate the ideology of the slave master to their own children.

A demonstration of this was the scene where the grandmother was hot combing her grand daughter's hair, commenting that her mother should have selected a light skinned partner to ensure the texture was silkier. Now in your experience you may find this an inaccurate representation of Black Britain but you must appreciate that just because you don't align yourself with this value system many blacks do. I have had the misfortune of hearing one too many black women make similar comments.

In reference to the forget about slavery comment, I don't believe that was intended to motivate us to forget about our rich heritage and assimilate to being Westerners but to move past slavery. Yes acknowledge how it has affected and hindered us but we have to move on and create a successful present and future for black people. Slavery has devastated black people across the globe but it seems we are still wallowing in the misery of slavery waiting to be rescued...by who I hasten to add.

You must appreciate that this film is satirical (very subtle yes) but satire none the less. The character was absolutely ridiculous and to use him as a motif for Black Britain is ludicrous. Instead he was a vehicle to raise issues that affect a significant number of Black Britons particularly of the Caribbean persuasion. I must reiterate you were probably offended because you couldn't identify with the issues raise or maybe you felt that film represented the minority as the majority.....but do we really know the percentages. I've lived in South London and there wasn't much that looked out of place.

I personally found the film shocking, shocking because they kept it real, too real. I felt like a *segment* of Black Britain was stripped naked for all to see. It put the issues facing many *out there* in the open and enabled us as a collective to examine why Black Britain is the way it is today. Granted we have many obstacles hindering our progress but to be honest, many black children don't have the support network available to succeed...parents!! I grew up on the same council estate that reared the group So Solid Crew, had it not been for my strong African parent (*singular*: absent Jamaican father) to instill the importance of education, I probably wouldn't be sitting here in the Corporate Finance Unit, undertaking my accountancy qualification which was all made possible by way of my UCL Bachelor of Science degree. I'm hardly a success story but I'm doing a lot better than my Caribbean counterparts who by now have two or three kids, living on a council estate, using their child benefit money to buy weed!! Again this isn't the story of every black woman in the UK but it is someone's story and the writer of Shoot The Messenger has the right to tell her story.

In summary it was thought provoking, entertaining, painfully honest And SHOCKING. The comment that we were more productive as slaves was POWERFUL. If your commentary was describing the atrocities that were Bullet Boy or Kidadulthood, I would have agreed with you 110% but this film was far more sophisticated. One man's journey that touched on a great deal of issues affecting millions across the globe. I believe the film will have a positive impact, creating a forum for discussion. Hopefully black people all over the country will be talking about *Shoot The Messenger* and recognise and stop perpetuating the ideology of the slave master which we have been carrying for hundreds of years and think more about what can be done to empower OURSELVES. Many black people have been living on auto-pilot. It's time to WAKE UP (School Daze – Spike Lee)

An insightful film to problems affecting a community.Not racism but fact.

[vedutla · 8/10 · 31 August 2006]

I think its very unfortunate and foolish that people are passing comment without having seen the film and trying to promote their own agenda.People like Toyin at Ligali.Who seems to make a good real-life version of Councillor Watts. Shoot the Messanger is a very good drama because of the topic.Its a film and it has to caricature stereotypes to broaden its scope.Its a mainly a discussion on the state of Black youth.How they have deviated from the hard-working and responsible older generation to the single-mums, men in jail and work shy violent youths.Before any myopic morons scream racism these are problems prevalent in the black community though not exclusive to them.However Black men make 1% of the British population but make up 12% of the prison popultaion.49% of Black families are single parents predominately single-mums. While single-mums try and do their best.Children with both parents are more well-adjusted and responsible than those from single-parent families.This is a fact! There is so far one can bury their heads in the sand and make excuses of racism.Why doesn't this racism effect Indians and Chinese.Its a wake-up call for better parenting and better role-models for young black men, other than their local gangsters, footballers and rappers.Unfortunately the target audience of black youths will probably never see this film and those denouncing it are in self-denial. They are making excuses and passing the blame rather than tackling the problem.The Black prison population and single-parents are a problem.Which need to be corrected.

A beautiful quote in the film by the middle-aged black lady who befriends Joe, "black people are crabs in a barrel, they wont escape because they will keep pulling each other down". I believe this is the essence of the film, when men like Joe, the writers,director and middle-class blacks achieve success they are derided as being "white" or traitors.If people take responsibility for themselves and do not belittle other blacks for achieving.They themselves will do well. This applies to all races and creeds.But this film is by a black cast to wake-up their community.The film is about self-analysing the problems in their own communities.There should be other films on other communities to reflect on their problems be it Muslims and honour killings, Whites and single parents or Indians and pressure on their children to study.They all exist and should be open to discussion and improvement, not to be swept under the carpet.

I found it funny, true and sad

[iGlad · 8/10 · 28 February 2021]

I didn't expect it to be like this but the talking to camera was what made it stand out for me. There was nothing in the film that wasn't true but it had no solutions that for black people to come up with. There were some excellent touches which those from a white perspective will miss such as black church white Jesus.

The journey for the lead was a long one but his heart was in the right place unfortunately his head wasn't.

The breakup with the girlfriend was quite painful to watch and very well acted.

A very good film which didn't pull its punches which for some may have been too much.

Interesting note both the leads in this film have now moved to the USA. Regarding the reasons why now that's another film in itself.

Not to be taken at face value

[annabee88 · 30 August 2006]

Really, anyone who thinks this film is racist clearly has no capacity to look beyond the blatantly obvious and try to understand the real meaning of this stunning story. The fact that a film maker can be so bold and provocative as to verbalise the issues that are explored, and really go deeper into the race question than just "he's wrong he's right", and that someone can ignore political correctness and risk offending people in order to really get down to the gritty issues behind racism and race stereotyping is a testament to what can be done with film these days. I think that this is an intelligent, important and very brave piece of work, that will undoubtedly incur criticism, but that at the very least will remind people that race IS still an issue and that it requires more thought and understanding than is generally applied to it. I think that this is as cinematically close to Studs Terkel as possible.

Hear the message

[cheesehoven · 10/10 · 30 August 2006]

As can be seen from some of the comments posted here, there are plenty of people intent on 'shooting the messenger', rather than listen to the message itself. In this case, the message happens to be the questioning of blame-culture which exists among certain sections of the black community. It is the contention of the author (Sharon Foster, herself a black writer) that it is this culture, and not that which is being blamed (ie white people), which is the cause of black underachievement. It is a serious argument, and one that can withstand close scrutiny, but that hasn't stopped the usual suspects from using their lazy cries of 'Racism' to try and silence the debate. A similar point was made during the film itself and it is interesting that many of the same terms of abuse used to castigate the main character in the film are identical to the ones being thrown around here (mainly by people who don't appear to have seen it). That would seem to indicate that Foster is, indeed, on to something.

Of course, this film could amount to no more than a 'worthy' drama, but 'Shoot The Messenger' is much more than that, due, in no small measure, to the quality of the writing. Foster has constructed an engrossing journey of self-discovery which begins with provocative words ( a gauntlet deliberately thrown in the face of the audience) uttered by Joe Pascale (excellently played by David Oyelowo), a well-intentioned but somewhat aloof black teacher, who falls foul of the authorities after he is accused of hitting a pupil. The fact that this is not true does not prevent him being vilified on a local black radio station. He loses the case in court and this leads him into a spiral of depression and madness, which he increasingly blames on black people (an interesting inversion of the blaming of white people which seems acceptable among his black contemporaries). I found this portion of the work the least satisfactory since the script sped over his insanity rather too quickly leading to loss of detail. After spending some time on the street, he is befriended by a middle-aged Black Christian lady. It is at this point the script really catches fire with some astute and occasionally hard-hitting views of the black community. All of this is maintained by a high degree of directorial energy and a high class cast. Highly recommended.

An incomplete story - but worth watching

[fitzroy-andrew · 6/10 · 1 September 2006]

A film like this is virtually impossible to detach from context - specifically, the history of black (African-Caribbean) people on British TV and in society as a whole. This is largely a history of omission and misrepresentation, to the extent that there is considerable ignorance about 'our issues' as a community, even within the community. Anything that purports to delve into that territory is thus likely to be affected by unrealistic expectations, simply because it doesn't happen that often.

Such is the case with 'Shoot The Messenger'. As a drama, it has its good points - some strong performances, high-quality production values, and an immediacy and urgency which at times made for compelling viewing. It also has its negative points - an uneven storyline which on occasion screamed 'agenda', and characterisations which were extreme in their simplification and caricaturing of personalities and situations.

It's a point of view on a range of issues affecting the community; it contains some partial truths whilst not representing the whole truth. It might have benefited from some historical context; on the other hand, its grounding in the 'here and now' is what lends the film its urgency and energy.

The reaction to the film in some quarters, whilst understandable, has had the unfortunate effect of reinforcing the film's central message - when we are portrayed in a negative light, we tend to 'shoot the messenger' rather than address the message. It would have been good to hear a little more from those people who are and have been working for decades to address the social problems the film graphically portrayed. As it is, the contributions like those from Ligali tend to generate more heat than light.

In summary, 'Shoot The Messenger' is an incomplete story - worth watching, but incomplete. We need more in the same vein to help fill in some of the gaps.

This TV film was shocking yet truthful at times

[Cameocandyxx · 10/10 · 30 August 2006]

This TV film was shocking yet truthful at times. Yes, the film discusses racism and the prejudices facing black people in British society. However, it cleverly illustrates the lack of support within the black community, it shows the lead character, a teacher who believes that by giving his troubled black pupils detention, he can enforce education on them.

However, when a particular student accuses him of assault his own community turn against him. From that he goes on a journey in discovering and highlighting the problems, for example, black single mothers, black troubled youths, black religious beliefs, and so on, do not judge this film, if you have not seen it. I am not going to give too much away, because I do not want to spoil it for anyone. I found it extremely funny and upsetting at times, do not avoid this film .

Many Meanings

[thalmanj · 9/10 · 6 November 2006]

I just saw this film at the AFI Film Fest, where the director, writer, producer and majority of cast, spoke and conducted a Q&A. From a film-making stand point, the film was so wonderfully portrayed that messages could be received and interpreted from many social angles. Everything, from the focus pulls to the set and costume design, constructed a milieu conducive to an effective portrayal of a young man's struggle and confrontation with his racial identity and reconciliation. When asked for the core meaning of her film, Onwurah simple said that so many meanings could be extracted to fit each individual that no specific meaning fits any one person. With that in mind, I found the power of forgiveness an amazing issue raised in this film. Joseph, the main character, after we fallow him through the development of his resentment toward black people, learns to forgive those that have wronged him. What is most interesting and perhaps convoluted is how he comes to his forgiveness. He finally faces the boy that triggered a series of events that ruined his life with understanding. At one point, Joseph realizes to work towards forgiveness, not for the benefit of the forgiven, but instead for himself. To see how he comes to this conclusion, you just have to watch the film. The power of this concept of forgiveness, as a benefit to ourselves, can be applied to so many aspects of our lives that to see it evinced in this film made watching and understanding it truly worth while... What's your meaning?

There was a far less exploitative way of exploring the same issues.

[shawn-sobers · 4/10 · 6 September 2006]

My initial reactions were;

Negative feedback:

1)The writer invented black characters just to try and "prove" a point (e.g. the daughter of the Christian woman with 5 kids from 5 fathers, and also the girl looking for a job and asking about maternity leave). They didn't actually have anything to do with the storyline, and just existed so he could turn his nose up at them. The black on black shooting also had very little point to it, and was just there to "prove" a point.

2)The writer deliberately squeezed in forced levels of negative black stereotypes - trying too hard to provoke.

3) The only redeeming black character (his girlfriend) wasn't given a strong enough voice to actually put forward a counter argument (and making her have 'hair issues' was a real cop out!!).

4) Lots of the negative behaviour from black people was way over the top and unbelievable or even petty (e.g. when the guy in the job centre kicked over the bin when the main guy was cleaning up. I couldn't see that happening.)

5) No wider context of the situation. E.g. He said he was the only teacher who cared about the black kids, but the film didn't attempt to show how the white teachers didn't care. So resulted in all the black characters looking bad, and all the white character were helpful or good.

6) Lots of statements just put in there to shock - such as when he said they should bring back slavery. Again that had no real use in the storyline, and was only there to shock and provoke.

Positive feedback

1) Well filmed and acted >Interesting how even when he still hated black people he could embrace the black church. (the stuff of very loaded debate! ha, ha, ha )

2) Important issue raised of how heavy handedness and harsh treatment of ourselves may be counter productive.(The moment of realisation of mistakes for the main character)

3) There were a couple of funny moments and gave the ability to laugh at ourselves without self hatred, but unfortunately they were hugely overshadowed by far too many moments of self hatred.

4) Quite strong ending.

Overall I wasn't as offended as I thought I would be, but I do think there was a far less exploitative way of exploring the same issues. Apparently the BBC sent her back the script a couple of times saying it wasn't bad or shocking enough. The writer got seduced by that attention, and unfortunately that "trying to shock" factor has got in the way of what could have been an important debate for the black community. It tried to tackle every issue and bit off more than it could chew. I feel the main character was just living through the experiences of the writer Sharon Foster, and not, as she claims, putting an honest mirror to the black community. A lot of the things in there, I felt, were her issues, not anyone else's.

Crazy

[thegoddessofgreen · 10/10 · 30 August 2006]

I would love to know how people are having an opinion on a TV programme that has not even finished airing yet! . If people actually give this drama a chance before passing judgment, they will find that it is a heartfelt, modern look at society today. . There is no reason why the BBC should NOT show this. All I say is that people should wait before passing comments on it. . He tries to fight back but is made a scapegoat for the anger of the black community and his credibility and life are shattered. Living on the streets he is taken in by a kindly elderly black woman and begins his long haul back to respectability again. Along the way he is constantly talking to the camera about how ridiculous and annoying black stereotypes and culture are.

Thank you.

school daze it ain't...

[chillipepa · 2/10 · 2 September 2006]

It saddens me that the BBC only seem to commission dramas about black people that are either hugely patronising or play on stereotypes. Shoot The Messenger falls into the latter category. I saw this last week and was hopeful and interested to watch a virtually all-black cast. The programme was so heavily publicised that it seemed a sin to ignore it. It started off well, showing Joe, a school teacher who is accused of assault by a young black pupil and subsequently loses his career, but after a ridiculous spell in a mental institution (anyone who has had any dealings with mental illness of any shape or form, will recognise this depiction as puerile and ignorant) he turns against all black people. On his release he then travels through a rich series of vignettes involving bad black people who only seem to reinforce his negative ideas about black culture.

As a young black woman, I suppose if I say that I'm annoyed by the stereotyping and negativity, I probably just don't like to hear the truth. If I say that the depiction of black women as females with non-existent self-esteem is offensive, then again, supporters of this film would argue that the truth hurts. I don't care if our 'laundry' is aired - if it takes this to encourage people to talk the problems with drugs, prison and mental illness which are currently occurring in the black community, then i'm all for it. But please, who are the producers of this fodder kidding? The only reason this programme was made was to increase ratings. The BBC have no moral responsibility to the black community - most of its employees don't know any black people apart from the happy go lucky staff who dish out their lunch at the canteen and the friendly but reserved IT guy who comes to mend their computer.

The point is, there are many gifted, talented black writers out there who have vision and the ability to create a good script seamed together with a solid message that would be understood by all races, who will never get a commission from the BBC simply because they're unwilling to resort to this level. It saddens me to read that so many black people are supporting this film. It seems as if we really are starved of seeing our own images in celluloid.

It has good points and does challenge but it sadly isn't good enough as satire, social commentary or a film

[bob the moo · 3 September 2006]

Joseph Pascale used to be a computer programmer until he went to a small community meeting where everyone seems to be blaming everyone else for the fact that black boys are the worst performers at schools. Teachers were blamed for pushing them towards sports, schools blamed for not running "ethnic friendly" courses for them while others blamed the lack of schools just for black people. When one person blames the lack of black male teachers, Joe decides to give it a go. In his 70% black school he is the only black teacher and he tries to be a role model – encouraging the ones willing to try and trying to force those unwilling. However when he puts a hand on a boy's shoulder to guide him into a classroom, he is accused of abuse.

Originally to be called "F*** Black People" this film uses its title to let us know its intention to start a debate, to get people agreeing with it or get people disagreeing with it. What it says is that the black community has problems and they need addressing. However whether opening with the line "everything bad that has ever happened to me has involved a black person" may or may not have been the way to go (and, yes, I know the line refers to himself and is part of the point about taking personal responsibility, but it did open the gates for attacks straight away). To its credit the film does tackle difficult subjects head on. In the UK we do have a problem with black boys underachieving; is it racism? Why do other ethnic minority groups not have this problem to the same degree? Trying to address the problem we have the laughable CRE led by Trevor Phillips doing just the same thing – blaming everyone else. It is him and not a BBC drama that I want to hear challenging the black community but in fairness I suppose he is only one man and it is easier to point the finger than do anything else.

Of course the fact that a debate is a good thing doesn't necessarily read that this film is. It has moments that have value but the delivery is rather mixed. On one hand it has a story but on the other it has lots of asides to the camera and these two approaches are not married that well together. Likewise it varies wildly between really well made points and lines that are pure controversy baiters ("bring back slavery – we were good at that")not to mention stuff that comedians were doing a decade ago (stuff about "black" names and weaves). And so the good points that are well made and the interesting lines of debate are lost in the middle of stuff with a lot less value and a lot less interest. It is clear across the film that Joe himself has issues he needs to address but the film does a bad job of communicating what these areas are to us and instead just uses it as an excuse to say whatever he wants whether it is right or not. The cop out at the end is a real letdown as well – Joe learns a lesson and admits he is wrong by saying he won't take back everything he has said but the script doesn't allow him to say what points he made that were wrong and which were right. This leaves it all out there where really the film could have used this ending to summarise what it was saying. By saying "so shoot me" it suggests that maybe it is happy to leave Joe's wrong statements out there and not to deliver a message when it could grab controversy instead. The narrative is also pretty extreme and sees Joe jumping from one end of the scale to the other. The script seems to lack the control to hold it all together and Foster's writing needed a lot more work to build a better, more concise argument within a better story.

Kudos to the BBC for showing it though because this is the sort of thing they should be showing – not offensive or racist stuff but stuff that challenges but isn't commercial enough to get picked up by a channel relying on advertising revenue. I would sooner my license fee went on this than some rubbish sitcom that any channel can churn out (yes "My Hero" I'm looking at you). The direction is good though and the cast generally respond well. It belongs to Oyelowo of course and he is convincing from start to finish – what a shame that the material did not give him more consistency and depth to work with. Of the support cast both Amuka-Bird and the guy playing Jamal did well but nobody else really got the material they go (and even they didn't get that much).

Overall then this is an OK film at best. It mixes good delivery with bad delivery; mixes good points with points just designed to inflame; mixes serious points with "points" that a poor man's Eddie Murphy would reject as being too old and mixes a story with general attacks. Personally I don't think it is racist, naïve or any other mud being slung at it. There is a debate to be had and there are things that are wrong (several of them raised in this film), but this film isn't good enough to make an intelligent enough, sharp enough or meaningful enough summary of them.

Intensely powerful and thought-provoking drama hitting at the negative elements of the black community

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 9/10 · 15 September 2006]

STAR RATING: ***** Jodie Marsh **** Michelle Marsh *** Kym Marsh ** Rodney Marsh * Hackney Marsh

Joe Pescale (David Oyelowo) used to have a good job in IT but gave it all up to become a teacher and try to turn around the lives of the disadvantaged black kids he was teaching. He is the only black teacher in a school of predominantly black kids but he soldiers on regardless trying to make a difference. But it all goes wrong one day when he taps a troublesome pupil named Gemal (David Mnee) on the shoulder, which he blows out of proportion, costing him his job and the venomous spurn of the black community. After a lot of heckling and spurn, he becomes a paranoid recluse and starts imagining that all black people are evil and are out to get him.

As if to whip up controversy like a jelly cake, the original title of the film was going to be F*ck Black People before the conservative BBC decided that would be just a little too provocative and toned it down to the title we have. The film sparked a lot of outrage anyway and was even branded outright BNP propaganda. I can see how people drew this conclusion, as the film plays at times like a none stop rundown of all the various different bad aspects of black culture and the black community, from promiscuous single mothers with many different kids from different fathers to gun crime and failure in the school system. I can see how some may see it as depressing viewing, but I must say I never saw it this way. It's all played in a gritty, pull no punches way but it compels and enlightens you rather than weighing you down. And it's helped no end by Oyelowo in the lead role. The Spooks star delivers a fantastic performance, perfectly conveying paranoia and depression but also giving the film an energetic, enlightening and wryly humorous lead character who focuses on all the negative aspects of his culture in an angry and frustrated but also gleefully cynical way and even offers something of a tip on how things could change. The supporting cast also all shine in smaller roles but as he is carrying the film, he is the main player in making it what it is.

Powerful and hard-hitting, then, and certainly likely to offend some, but it's all (Like it or hate it) true and offers some tough food for thought for all the problems in the black community and the issues it needs to address. ****

Get past the hate factor

[p-stepien · 8/10 · 23 March 2009]

I've seen comments on this movie, which focus on the negative messages sent out by the main character. But Joseph Pascale brilliantly portrayed by David Oyelomo (watch out for this immensely talented actor) is an anti-hero. We as viewers are not supposed to agree with him or his actions. We are only asked to venture on a journey with him.

Yes. Most of what he said is over-the-top and blatantly wrong, but it does forward various touchy issues paint straight at you. You sometimes don't know whether Joseph is wrong or right and this doubt may be a very treacherous thing. The questions asked are treason, but the tingling feeling lingers that not all he said was unfounded.

The movie is beautifully acted and shot with the comedy side giving some relief. The script-writing (irrespective if you find the movie repulsive) is top-notch. Nigerian-born Ngozi Onwurah has done a spectacular job.

I guess there were a few moments, where they pushed the character a bit too far. On the other hand you can also see it as Joseph entering a phase were he was self-indulging on his own hatred and it spiraled out of control. Look the party scene.

You may not like it. But its hard not to admire it. And even harder to forget it.

A very good movie

[fiky14 · 10/10 · 18 September 2006]

Personally as a Black Person I have experienced some of the things that happened in this movie. Some of us think that this is a racist movie, of course they have their own opinion but as for me this is a very good movie that encourages us to keep moving forward in this world, there are a few things that i know we can overcome and that would enable us to move forward, although not forgetting that Slavery is the very essence we are where we are today, it has made us to get this far while ignoring some other vital factors. So i congratulate Miss Foster and Miss Onwurah for a movie that will help us on our way to perfection. Kudos!!

Racism in disguise

[CuriosityKilledShawn · 1/10 · 21 August 2006]

The very first words uttered in this TV movie are 'Almost every bad thing that has ever happened to me has been because of a black person.' A rather alarming opening line and it doesn't let up.

Joseph is a teacher at school in London in which 70% of the kids are black. He knows it's tough for black kids to get a start in life so he tries his hardest to make men out of them. But there is one really nasty kid who lies about Joseph hitting him for a joke. But his mum gets behind it and Joseph is eventually fired for nothing.

He tries to fight back but is made a scapegoat for the anger of the black community and his credibility and life are shattered. Living on the streets he is taken in by a kindly elderly black woman and begins his long haul back to respectability again. Along the way he is constantly talking to the camera about how ridiculous and annoying black stereotypes and culture are.

If this were a white guy he'd be hung by the PC police, so I'm assuming that the disguise for this blatant xenophobia is the fact that Joseph is a black person too. But you really have to wonder of where exactly the inspiration for this rubbish came from.

It's really easily written and has about as much grace and civility as a sledgehammer to the balls. Originally called 'F*ck Black People' I'm amazed any non-KKK member producer even dared to pick it up.

Certainly not a film you should devote any amount of time to.

Shoot Messenger is a fantastic Drama

[thomas-sampson-1 · 10/10 · 1 December 2008]

When I sat down to watch shoot the messenger for the first time, I was gripped. It was not a stereotypical take on black British culture; it is based on events that the writer is experienced themselves. I am an active member of the black community in London and the events that we see in this film reflect real life and to think that it has been categorised as racist is disgraceful. The storyline is excellent and it is not even the aspect of race that is the main feature it is the relationship between Pascal and Germal and how it affect their lives. It is a great drama and I would definitely recommend trying to get hold of it, it is ashamed the BBC will not show it again.

Vile!

[madamepretty · 1/10 · 30 August 2006]

Highly exaggerated and poorly written script, complete with every stereotype imaginable.

The lead actor would be better suited in a theatre production with his overly dramatised acting.

An extremely poor attempt to highlight the 'blame' culture within the black community.

If you don't mind being patronised and insulted for an hour and a half, then this is definitely the film for you.

No balance or differing views at all in this film lets it down even further.

Unbelievable that it was commissioned!

Excellent movie.

[PWNYCNY · 9/10 · 17 July 2011]

This is surprisingly strong and engaging movie. Usually when a commercial production delves into highly charged topics, such as race, the results can be less than pleasing. However, this movie is an exception. Utilizing an almost documentary-like format, the deals with issues such as racism, self-hate and emotional trauma. Skillfully directed by Ngozi Onwurah, this movie dramatizes what can happen when hatred is turned inward. The performances are excellent. But what makes this particularly effective is that it presents a story that is not contrived, that deals with real issues, and does so without relying on cinematic gimmicks like special effects or becoming preachy. The themes in this story resonates with the audience and for that reason alone this movie is worth watching. This movie deals squarely with the theme of self-hate: its etiology and manifestations. In this movie the dialog is candid,, unambiguous and strong. Characters are forced to call into question their own sense of worth, their own sense of identity and come to terms with who they are, and who they think they are. The main character is heroic, yet he is flawed hero, who experiences his own personal odyssey of self-discovery. What makes this movie so brilliant is the fundamental simplicity of the story. There is no complicated, convoluted plot, no pseudo-philosophical sophistry; what is portrayed is done so plainly and clearly. The world is a complicated place but that doesn't mean a movie has to be complicated. Profound themes do not need to be obscured by special effects or overly wordy scripts. This movie is proof of that.

bang on!

[danfixjungle · 10/10 · 10 September 2006]

Really unbelievable film, amazing script, acting, characters, cinematography, music- everything.

I watched this on the recommendation of a guy I know who works in St Pauls Bristol (which for those who don't know is the inner city black area, although we'll see about that when the shopping centre expands & gentrifies it) & it blew me away.

I read in the comments here that some say it provokes for the sake of it, but people need this provocation! Not every incident, utterance or character in the film is a direct reflection of the writer's own views; when something contentious is presented it's not there to say "this is how things are" it's there to make you think and question, to explore your own attitudes to race. It's basically the film that "Crash" couldn't dream of being, as its rich in subtlety and layers and it doesn't say "think like this" but rather "think for yourself".

Exceptional film making, I can't recommend it enough, I'm can't say if it will be repeated or not, but it's on UK Nova, track it down at all costs!!

a comic and powerful look at black self hatred

[beeloved-1 · 10/10 · 13 January 2008]

it's funny... i've come to the realization that black folks in the UK just weren't ready for Shoot the Messenger. i had a long debate with a black filmmaker when we were both shooting in Ethiopia recently, and i just read the feedback given by the other commenter... i'm sorry, but growing up in Babylon as someone from the African Diapora... we are taught to hate ourselves. period. it's the best way to keep a people dysfunctional in a society that is built to exploit them as a source of cheap labor or preferably as a slave workforce incarcerated in prisons. here in the us... black folks suffer from deep self hatred and confusion of our Afrcan roots... but we can also laugh at it. our films have addressed it lightly... Dave Chapelle has really got into it... Paul Mooney, Richard Pryor.. the list goes on. Shoot the Messenger plays with stereotypes perhaps, but really uses comedy to address the serious issue of self hatred. it's really well written and brilliantly directed. i saw it at the tribeca film festival a few years ago, and have been trying hard to get a copy ever since. there was a lot of outrage in the UK, because folks out there can't deal with their self hatred... sorry, but it's real. i'm dealing with mine everyday. We all need a lot of healing, but if you look at this film for what it is... i think you'll find that it's very well done because it has folks asking themselves important questions about identity, racism, self hatred... i think it's a spark for the kind of self realization that we need to evolve mentally and spiritually. i give it ten stars.

Dreadful

[OneMindofMany · 1/10 · 31 August 2006]

This film adds absolutely nothing to the debate about the African community here in the UK. It is an offensive piece of liberal and right-wing endorsed tripe that only the BBC could produce.

From the exaggerated caricatures of the community, to the rampant stereotypes, irritatingly trivial sounds track, overacting by the lead actor to the complete lack of realism about the storyline, I can not imagine anything more awful to watch. The whole portrayal of mental illness, from someone who has seen what mental illness can do is nothing short of offensive.

Most white folk will love it and most African people will hate it (though there will be a handful of exceptions to each rule) - but ultimately, this autobiographical account of the creator, Sharon Fosters life reveals more about the manifestations of her twisted self loathing than it does about the African community.

The mildly redeeming last 4 minutes do little to absolve the assault of the proceeding hour and a half. Avoid this depressing tripe at all costs.

shoot the messenger,an artist's point of view

[jolagunju · 2/10 · 3 September 2006]

Clearly,there have been so many issues raised about the film Shoot the messenger and naturally,majority would be offended.I actually watched the movie but i would not term it as being racist. The point here is that certain events happen and we interpret it in different meanings.As a black African actor,my views are entirely different.The writer constructed a story which could be based on a life experience or from the norms of the society.Where the writer failed and which has led to this controversy is the generalization of the whole black community.We have to understand that within the black community,we are different.i would like to break this down into 3 groups. We have the African Americans, Afro-Caribbean,and the core Africans. I have been lucky & opportuned to have experienced and mixed with these 3 groups.The Africans would be the most offended here and the Afro-Caribbeans the least.Yes we have one thin in common and that is being black but let us not forget that our cultures and background are completely different.The writer basing the story on all blacks is the cause of the heat.Ther would have been several better ways of penning this story which has morality and facts but it was detailed wrongly.Obviously the BBC airing this knew what they were doing.Let us not be fooled but the world is watching our reactions. Personally, as a black African there were certain comments in the movie that i would never agree with which i would enumerate subsequently. While we start hitting each other,i would like us to ponder over recent events that have taken place.i would mention 2.Firstly,the Mel Gibson Jewish comments.Secondly,the airing of the US president being assassinated. We don't need to e told that Mel who is a star in his own right has publicly apologized and the questions on the lips of Americans.......Let us remember,the eyes of the world are watching

Alf Garnett meets Michael Caines - Alfie

[dadast · 1/10 · 31 August 2006]

A dissemination of the African British Community by a Career Opportunist who has the morality of Leni Riefenstahl without the Artistic skill.

A Play that panders to European racial stereo types, it runs through issue after issue patched together with post it notes rather than the bostik glue of reality.

For example the name Kwame, used in her example of unnecessary names used by "Black" people to name their children is a common Ghanian name and as normal as Mohammad or Paul.

The central character does not exactly explain why "Everything bad that has ever happened to him has been by Black People" other than the idea that a child made an unfounded accusation against him, while an the English establishment set the wheels in motion leading to the Judgement first in it's favour.

Pokes fun at African Woman and their hair styles as being Fake, Do'es he really believe that all those Blondes on the Streets are natural or did that blondness come out of a bottle ? Along with the Liposucation,Boob jobs, Lip fattening and other fake attire Ladies like to use to snare their men ??

His emotional detachment from his own Community belies his hidden insecurities (or rather Her) but self.

More concerning is the trivialising of Slavery - The biggest Holocaust the World has tolerated. Showing acute lack of understanding that the very Racist degeneration used by the parties involved to justify the practice guided her pen the writing of this (Dis)Play.

A film to make white feel good

[ocacia · 1/10 · 11 February 2007]

Being seen on a screen is not self-determination, especially when the gatekeepers, decision makers who determining the validity of our work are all European. African stories are attempts to explain Africans to Europeans as opposed to Africans explaining themselves to each other. These mere fact renders the whole concept of "Black cinema" and "Black perspective" redundant.

Like Blood diamonds the doc, the idiot is always the African. Shock at any expense, just a good way of airing politics most white feel. But the best way to get away with it is to let a black person write it. Pay them to flush it down the toilet. mock the issues, air the laundry. It is so funny that no film is so controversial that it acts in the liberation of Africans. Why haven't they shown a film like 500 Years Later? why don't they show films and docs that they don't have control over. The only films allowed are ones where the content is set for their taste buds. And never do these films injur the master