Seth Gordon to direct racial injustice drama 'Tulia'

Los Angeles [U.S.A] August 11 (ANI): 'Baywatch' and 'Horrible Bosses' director Seth Gordon is all set to direct a feature film based on a true story from the 2005 book, 'Tulia: Race, Cocaine, and Corruption in a Small Texas Town' by Nate Blakeslee. The film is based on the infamous 1999 case that saw dozens of men, most of them African-American, arrested for a drug scandal based on the word of an unreliable cop, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The plot is set in the summer of 1999, in the tiny West Texas town of Tulia, where 39 people - almost all of them black - were arrested and charged with dealing powdered cocaine. The film story centers on the larger issue of racial injustice, poverty, desperation and the American war against drugs. It will also follow the work of Vanita Gupta and the NAACP team who fought a valiant battle against seemingly insurmountable odds to obtain acquittals in 2004 for the majority of the victims. Mubina Rattonsey's L.A.-based production, Zero Gravity Motion Pictures, acquired the film rights from author Nate Blakeslee, and also has opted the rights for the story and event's cental, Vanita Gupta. Rattonsey will produce the film while the filmmakers are zeroing in on a screenwriter. "Mubina has found an extraordinary true story that is very relevant in today's political climate," said Gordon. "I'm excited to bring this important and poignant story to a wider audience, to call attention to what happened in Tulia, and to showcase the incredible and heroic work Vanita Gupta did for its citizens." "Seth is a dynamic storyteller, to say the least, and I'm extremely proud to have him direct this movie. Vanita Gupta is the daughter of an immigrant and a very inspiring and strong woman. Tulia is her story, and for me, it represents what America stands for - the coming together of minds and hearts for justice. Vanita turned the case around; she won it. . I was simply fascinated by her will to do the impossible," added Rattonsey. Gordon's last movie was the recent summer flick 'Baywatch' starring Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron and Priyanka Chopra. This would be a first drama feature for the comedy director.(ANI)