The Messenger is a film.
Oren Moverman ( born July 4 , 1966 ) is an Israeli-American film director , screenwriter , producer , and former journalist based in New York City . The Messenger is a 2009 war drama film starring Ben Foster , Woody Harrelson , Samantha Morton , Steve Buscemi , and Jena Malone . It is the directorial debut of Oren Moverman , who also wrote the screenplay with Alessandro Camon . The film has also received four Independent Spirit Award nominations ( including one win ) , a Golden Globe nomination , and two Academy Award nominations .