Police brutality gets spotlight at Toronto film festival
Actor Amandla Stenberg (L) and Algee Smith pose at the world premiere of The Hate U Give at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada, September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Mark Blinch
TORONTO (Reuters) - "The Hate U Give" held its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Friday, shedding a light on how police brutality affects the lives of black communities.
Based on the 2017 young adult novel of the same name, the movie tells the story of Starr, a black teenager, whose life is changed when she witnesses the killing of her childhood best friend by a white police officer.
Actor K.J. Apa arrives for the world premiere of The Hate U Give at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada, September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Mark Blinch
The film follows scores of police shootings in the United States in recent years that have given rise to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Actress Amandla Stenberg, who plays Starr, said she hoped the film would change the perspective of Americans.
"My hope and dream is that those who have not previously empathized with these events have instilled in them a sense of empathy for black lives, for black communities, for the tribulations of black people in America when it comes to police brutality," Stenberg told Reuters Television.
Actor Anthony Mackie arrives for the world premiere of The Hate U Give at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada, September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Mark Blinch
The cast includes Regina Hall, Anthony Mackie, Issa Rae and Disney actress Sabrina Carpenter, who said the film packs a powerful punch.
"I think that's what art is meant to do - make you feel a little uncomfortable, question your life, question everything around you and make you rethink your choices," said Carpenter, the star of television series "Girl Meets World."
"The Hate U Give" goes on release in North America on Oct. 19.
Actor TJ Wright arrives for the world premiere of The Hate U Give at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada, September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Mark Blinch
(Reporting by Rollo Ross; Editing by Jill Serjeant)
Actor Amandla Stenberg arrives for the world premiere of The Hate U Give at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada, September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Mark BlinchActor Algee Smith arrives for the world premiere of The Hate U Give at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada, September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Mark BlinchActor Lamar Johnson arrives for the world premiere of The Hate U Give at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada, September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Mark BlinchActor Regina Hall arrives for the world premiere of The Hate U Give at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada, September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Mark BlinchSinger Arlissa arrives for the world premiere of The Hate U Give at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada, September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Mark BlinchActor Sabrina Carpenter arrives for the world premiere of The Hate U Give at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada, September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Mark BlinchActor Russell Hornsby arrives for the world premiere of The Hate U Give at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada, September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Mark Blinch
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
