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Posts tagged as “Oscar Grant Story”

Oscar Grant's Father Can Sue Officer Who Killed His Son, Court Rules

By goodblacknews on July 31, 2013
oscar grant father
SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court says Oscar Grant’s father can sue the Northern California transit officer who shot and killed his son on a train platform.  The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday rejected former officer Johannes Mehserle’s claim that he was acting in his official capacity when he killed the younger Grant during a 2009 New Year’s Day melee captured on video by several bystanders.
Violent demonstrations ensued after the videos showing the white officer shooting the unarmed black man were viewed by millions online.  The appeals court said it’s up to a jury to determine whether Mehserle was justified in shooting Grant in the back as he lay face down on the train platform.  Mehserle served 11 months in prison after he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.  The appeals court’s decision affirmed a lower court ruling.
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article by via huffingtonpost.com

BET To Air ‘Fruitvale Station’ Special Tonight After Strong Box Office Start

By goodblacknews on July 15, 2013

New York, NY – July 15, 2013 – The Weinstein Company (TWC) announced today the special FRUITVALE STATION: The Story of Oscar Grant, a behind the scenes look at the making of the film, will premiere exclusively on BET Networks on Monday, July 15, 2013 from 7:30 – 8:00 P.M. ET/PT. The special will also re-air on CENTRIC on Friday, July 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The full-length film opened to limited release on July 12, 2013 to rave reviews and tremendous box office success, and tells the real-life story of Oscar Grant played by rising star Michael B. Jordan. Monday’s making-of special will trace the remarkable journey of this film from production to Sundance to Cannes and now in theaters across the country. TWC is proud to collaborate with BET who has championed this film from its very beginning starting with the Sundance Film Festival. BET recognized early on the importance of director Ryan Coogler’s feature debut film and the significance of Oscar Grant’s story. They have shown tremendous support for the film including – the BET Experience screening in late June, featuring the film and its star Michael B. Jordan at the BET Awards earlier this month, partnering with TWC on the film’s New York premiere on July 8th, and online features onBET.com.
article via deadline.com

Director Ryan Coogler Brings Heart, Talent to ‘Fruitvale’

By goodblacknews on July 11, 2013
director Ryan Coogler poses for photographers during a photo call for the film "Fruitvale Station" at the 66th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France. Coogler’s “Fruitvale Station” _ his first dramatic feature and first project since graduating with a master’s degree in 2011 _ won both jury and audience awards at the Sundance Film Festival, and attended the Cannes Film Festival. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, file)
Director Ryan Coogler poses for photographers during a photo call for the film “Fruitvale Station” at the 66th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France. Coogler’s “Fruitvale Station” _ his first dramatic feature and first project since graduating with a master’s degree in 2011 _ won both jury and audience awards at the Sundance Film Festival, and attended the Cannes Film Festival. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, file)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ryan Coogler is back on the University of Southern California campus for the first time since becoming one of the country’s most promising young filmmakers, and he heads straight to the camera-rental center where he worked as a student. He runs into a former classmate, who high-fives and congratulates him, then asks for a photo. Coogler sheepishly obliges.
“This is inspiring, right here!” the younger man says as he snaps an iPhone shot of himself and Coogler. “Thank you, bro!”  Coogler gives the student his email address, then looks for his old boss, the equipment manager, who tells the 27-year-old filmmaker that he’s set a new standard for success at USC’s film school, which counts Ron Howard and George Lucas as alumni.
There’s no doubt he has. Coogler’s ”Fruitvale Station” — his first dramatic feature and first project since graduating with a master’s degree in 2011 — won both jury and audience awards at the Sundance Film Festival, where the Weinstein Co. outbid a dozen studios to distribute it. Originally called simply “Fruitvale,” the film opens Friday in New York and Los Angeles, and around the nation later this month. Oscar buzz has already begun.