Co-written by Robinson Devor and Seattle critic and journalist Charles Mudede (whose weekly writings include The Stranger's crime blotter column, 'Police Beat'.) POLICE BEAT presents a unique protagonist in the post-9/11 world: a morally upright, Republican Muslim police officer. The film follows African-born Seattle bicycle cop ('Z' played by Pape 'Sidy' Niang, a soccer player from Senegal)on his beat for seven days and six nights, covering crimes, all of which are based on actual Seattle police reports, in its 80-minute running time. Starring as Z is Pape S. Niang, a non-actor who was formerly a member of the Senegalese Junior Olympic soccer team.

POLICE BEAT is a highly unconventional crime film in which the protagonist Z is so preoccupied with his possibly unfaithful girlfriend that he never once acknowledges criminal world that swirls around him. The crimes Z encounters become mirrors of his turbulent inner state, allowing him to philosophize about his unstable romantic relationship as well as his own development as an emotional being. While Z's regular interactions are in English, his thoughts ­ the film's narration ­ are in his native Wolof, the primary language of West Africa. In this way, POLICE BEAT is an unusual portrait of an immigrant new to the United States that focuses less on the protagonist's socio-economic difficulties than on his emotional responses to American life.

Sundance Screenings:
Sun. Jan 23, 14:30, Racquet Club
Sun. Jan 23, 20:00, Yarrow (Press & Industry only)
Mon. Jan 24, 23:59, Egyptian
Tue. Jan 25, 18:00, Broadway 4 (Salt Lake City)
Thu. Jan 27, 09:15, Eccles
Fri. Jan 28, 20:30, Racquet Club