“Kill the Messenger” is a thriller based on the true story of Gary Webb (played by Jeremy Renner), a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist who uncovered the shocking truth that the CIA knew about large amounts of cocaine being smuggled into the U.S. from Nicaragua in the 1980s. They looked away as the crack epidemic ate up the U.S.’s underprivileged neighborhoods. Members of our government knew that the profits of drug sales were facilitating Contra rebels to buy more weapons.
Michael Kenneth Williams plays ‘Freeway’ Ricky Ross, a cocaine trafficker in Los Angeles in the 1980s. Williams has compassion for his characters. There are a lot of drugs and alcohol in his story. He thinks drug dealers get a bad rap in society. Read more
I learned so much about the charismatic Michael K. Williams during our interview. Williams talks a lot about helping others by giving back. He always digs deep to play characters with empathy and compassion — even when they’ve made the wrong decisions in life. He has launched his own nonprofit, Making Kids Win. In addition he has formed his own movie company, Freedome Productions. His motivation? To help talented actors get their start. What a lovely man. Read more
Michael Cuesta directs and Peter Landesman wrote the screenplay adapted from Webb’s book of the same name. The crime biography boasts a talented cast including Andy Garcia, Oliver Platt, Michael K. Williams, Michael Sheen, Tim Blake Nelson, Rosemarie DeWitt, Paz Vega, Barry Pepper, Lucas Hedges and a cameo by Ray Liotta.
Director Michael Cuesta feels passionately about moviemaking. He talks about what liberties he took and why. He talks about Lucas Hedges who plays Gary Webb’s son. He compares him to Paul Dano and talks about young actors conveying emotions.
Watch the VIDEO to hear Michael Cuesta talks about trusting the intelligence of an audience.
“Kill the Messenger” opens Oct. 10, 2014. Crime Drama. Rated R. 112 min.
