The second film screening on Monday night to tackle the contentious issue of American race relations, following 12 Years a Slave, was Fruitvale Station, the true story of the killing of Oscar Grant by police officers in San Francisco five years ago.
The movie was a sell-out, with crowds of people waiting for standby seats as the film began. Afterwards, the audience broke out into a spontaneous, thunderous applause, and many teary eyes as the lights went on. Michael B Jordan, who walked the red carpet on the opening night of the festival, was praised all round for his acting skills.
“He was amazing. When the cop shot him, it gave me goosebumps,” said one young man, from the US.
“The buildup to the moment of the shooting was so powerful,” said a woman who caught the screening. “You knew it was coming, but at the same time, you didn’t expect it. I had a good cry,” a lady added.
