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MVFF: The Hate U Give

  • Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center 1118 4th Street San Rafael, CA, 94901 United States (map)

SPOTLIGHT: Starr Carter (a sensational Amandla Stenberg) is the queen of code switching: living one version of herself with her tight-knit family and neighbors in their Black community of Garden Heights, and another with her classmates at a predominantly white private high school across town. When she becomes the sole witness to the shooting death of her childhood friend, Khalil, by a white policeman, the two Starrs have no choice but to collide—often explosively. Does she stand up for Khalil and speak her truth? Or does she keep quiet and protect herself from the violent forces within her own community? Based on the bestselling young adult novel by Angie Thomas, George Tillman, Jr.’s (Notorious) powerful drama addresses not just police brutality but the root causes of the racial inequity and injustice that permeates American society. Stenberg (The Hunger Games) leads a stellar cast that also includes Common, Issa Rae, Anthony Mackie, and Russell Hornsby and Regina Hall as Starr’s devoted parents.

Expected Guests: Director George Tillman Jr.; Actor Amandla Stenberg  (Oct. 7)