Photo: (Getty)
Every great actor has that one performance that propelled him to superstardom. For Michael B. Jordan that might very well be his turn in "Fruitvale Station," a film chronicling the last day of 22-year-old Oscar Grant's life before he was killed by a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police officer.
Fans of "Friday Night Lights" and "The Wire" know Jordan is known for his heavy-hitting performances, but "Fruitvale Station" is what might put him on the map as there's already buzz surrounding the actor's shot at an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Grant. At last night's premiere, Jordan was joined by members of his outstanding supporting cast, including Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer.
Photo: Michael B. Jordan shares a moment with Cuba Gooding Jr. (Getty)
We were lucky enough to attend the premiere last night and there was not a dry eye at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. The film opened our eyes about the atrocities of gun violence, police brutality and how deadly discrimination can be. If there's one thing to check off your summer to-do list, it should be watching this film!
"Fruitvale Station," the first feature-length film from 27-year-old director Ryan Coogler (Who we got to hug last night!), has already racked up an impressive amount of awards prior to its release. The film debuted at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, winning the U.S. Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award, and it also received the distinction of Best First Film at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. The film is scheduled to be released in select theaters on July 12 and nationally on July 19. Go here for movie theaters showing this incredible film.
+ Watch the Trailer for "Fruitvale Station"
"Fruitvale Station" is another tragic example of how gun violence is affecting people all over our country. If you're looking for ways you can speak out against the issue, check out our "Increase the Peace" series, where we profile young activists doing their part to fight gun violence in their communities. You can also take action with our widgets below!
Additional reporting by Alexis Tirado