One year after winning a Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station is aiming to make a mark on awards season. The film scored loads of accolades throughout its festival run, received a number of critics association honors, two Independent Spirit Awards nominations and more, so even though it’s considered an underdog amongst heavy hitters like Gravity, American Hustle and 12 Years a Slave, Fruitvale Station has certainly earned its place in the mix.
The film chronicles the true story of Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan), a 22-year-old who was out celebrating the New Year with his friends when he was shot and killed by Bay Area Rapid Transit Police. Oscar did serve two terms in prison, but he was determined to turn his life around to better support his family and especially his young daughter. Despite having all the best intentions and being surrounded by people who loved him, the unfortunate collision of friends and enemies would spark a devastating chain of events.
With Fruitvale Station heading towards a January 14th DVD and Blu-Ray release, we had the chance to sit down with both Coogler and Jordan to run through the process of making the film. Check out what the duo told us about getting the project off the ground with Forest Whitaker’s help, the immense value of being able to spend time with Oscar Grant’s family and friends, the effect that knowing Oscar’s fate had on their work and loads more in the video interview below.