This film is currently unavailable

Judas and the Black Messiah
Daniel Kaluuya is electrifying as Fred Hampton, leader of the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther party, in Shaka King's visceral crime thriller and immersive slice of American history.
Drama 2020 125 mins
Director: Shaka King
Overview
The story of Fred Hampton, the gifted civil rights leader who rose through the Black Panther party to became chairman of the Chicago chapter, is often missing from history. And even lesser known is the role that petty criminal and FBI informant William O’Neal played in his downfall. Director Shaka King tells both their stories with complexity and careful precision, in this fast paced and hard-hitting drama, fused together with gripping editing and stunning (BAFTA nominated) cinematography. At the centre of it all, pulsing through the film is a trilogy of exceptional and electrifying performances from Daniel Kaluuya as Fred Hampton, LaKeith Stanfield as William O’Neal and Dominique Fishback in a heart-breaking turn as Hampton’s partner Deborah Johnson.
Simultaneously a taut crime thriller, a visceral emotional drama and an immersive piece of important American history, Judas and the Black messiah is one of the most compelling and essential films you will see this year. Presented alongside the film, from We Are Parable and spoken word collective Poetic Unity, is a series of poems, specially commissioned to describe 5 of the 10 points defined in The Black Panther Party for Self Defence programme, written by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. These five moving pieces illustrate how relevant the points of the programme still are to this day. Recorded Q&As with Shaka King, Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield, Dominique Fishback and additional members of the creative teams behind Judas and the Black Messiah are available to watch on the BFI YouTube Channel.

Related
Drama

The Good Boss The Good Boss
Comedy 2021 120 mins Director: Fernando León de Aranoa
Javier Bardem is a beleaguered Spanish factory boss in ruthless pursuit of winning an award for excellence in this waspish corporate comedy.

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
Comedy 2022 97 mins Director: Sophie Hyde
Nancy Stokes (Emma Thompson), a retired school teacher and widow, is yearning for adventure and really good sex, in comedian Katy Brand’s witty drama.

She Will She Will
Thriller 2021 96 mins Director: Charlotte Boulay-Goldsmith
In Charlotte Colbert’s strikingly gothic film, an ageing actor recovering from a mastectomy taps into a mysterious power at a remote Scottish retreat.

True Things True Things
Drama 2021 102 mins Director: Harry Wootliff
Ruth Wilson is at her best in this compelling drama about a lonely woman whose life is changed by Tom Burke, the dangerous stranger who offers something different.

Happening Happening
Drama 2021 100 mins Director: Audrey Diwan
Audrey Diwan’s outstanding Venice Golden Lion winner could not be more timely or urgent.

Executive Order Executive Order
Science Fiction 2020 102 mins Director: Lázaro Ramos
In Lázaro Ramos’s disturbing dystopian thriller starring Alfred Enoch, the Brazilian government orders the deportation of the country’s entire Black population.
Black Stories

20 Feet from Stardom 20 Feet from Stardom
Documentary 2013 87 mins Director: Morgan Neville
This moving documentary shines a spotlight on the backing singers behind some of the great musical hits of the 21st century.

All Night Long All Night Long
Drama 1962 91 mins Director: Basil Dearden
Othello is transposed to the 1960s Soho jazz scene as a malevolent drummer sows mistrust between husband-and-wife jazz luminaries.

Attack the Block Attack the Block
Crime 2011 88 mins Director: Joe Cornish
Aliens wage war on a tower block after one of their number is bludgeoned by a street gang in this witty, action-packed feature debut by Joe Cornish.

Amazing Grace Amazing Grace
Documentary 2019 89 mins Director: Alan Elliott
Aretha Franklin, at the height of her powers, returns to the music which nurtured her prodigious talent.

The Australian Dream The Australian Dream
Documentary 2019 105 mins Director: Daniel Gordon
A thought-provoking documentary about the Australian Rules football star Adam Goodes that raises crucial questions about casual racism.

Baby Done Baby Done
Comedy 2020 91 mins Director: Curtis Vowell
When couple Tim and Zoe find out they're expecting, their approaches couldn't be more different. Tim runs towards fatherhood with joy, while Zoe is more hesitant, this heartfelt comedy takes their relationship to uncharted territory.
New

The Good Boss The Good Boss
Comedy 2021 120 mins Director: Fernando León de Aranoa
Javier Bardem is a beleaguered Spanish factory boss in ruthless pursuit of winning an award for excellence in this waspish corporate comedy.

Maisie Maisie
Documentary 2021 76 mins Director: Lee Cooper
An intimate portrait of ageing and friendship, we follow David Raven as he dons his sequins and eyelashes to prepare for a special birthday performance as ‘Maisie Trollette’, Britain’s Oldest Performing Drag Artiste.

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote The Man Who Killed Don Quixote
Fantasy 2017 133 mins Director: Terry Gilliam
Two decades in the making, Terry Gilliam’s wildly imaginative Cervantes adaptation is finally with us, and it’s everything we have come to expect from this visionary filmmaker.

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
Comedy 2022 97 mins Director: Sophie Hyde
Nancy Stokes (Emma Thompson), a retired school teacher and widow, is yearning for adventure and really good sex, in comedian Katy Brand’s witty drama.

She Will She Will
Thriller 2021 96 mins Director: Charlotte Boulay-Goldsmith
In Charlotte Colbert’s strikingly gothic film, an ageing actor recovering from a mastectomy taps into a mysterious power at a remote Scottish retreat.

True Things True Things
Drama 2021 102 mins Director: Harry Wootliff
Ruth Wilson is at her best in this compelling drama about a lonely woman whose life is changed by Tom Burke, the dangerous stranger who offers something different.