The Hate U Give is a powerful film by director George Tillman Jr (based on a book by Angie Thomas), that makes the story of young black men being shot by police feel very personal. (And yes, I know my white privilege is showing when I say that, as the story is already very personal for most people of colour, who have been given "the talk" by their parents).
Starr (played by Amandla Stenberg) is a girl from a black working-class neighbourhood who attends a mostly-white private school in a "better" part of town. Starr feels she has to be two different people in the two settings. Her life is turned upside down when a good friend is shot by a police officer during a routine traffic stop. She feels torn between speaking up as the only witness to hold the police accountable, and protecting her family from the local drug lord who wants her to stay silent because the shooting victim worked for him.
The story is real and timely, the performances are strong, and the film grabs you from the start and takes you along for an emotional and upsetting ride. I also learned a bit about 2Pac and the meaning of the title. This is a very important film that should not be missed. One of the best I have seen at this year's festival.
TIFF 2018 Overview
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