Dramas surrounding the Civil Rights movement have been very popular in recent years. “Selma,” “The Butler,” and “Hidden Figures” are just a few films that have become hits telling the story of some of the darkest times in United States history. Now, “The Best of Enemies” hopes to do the same, and the film brings one of those “Hidden Figures” stars to lead the way.
Taraji P. Henson stars as an outspoken civil rights activist that is forced to work with a local Ku Klux Klan leader, played by Sam Rockwell (following up his controversial, Oscar-winning role as a racist in the film “Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri”). The film focuses on a North Carolina city hoping to end desegregation of its schools. And in the new trailer released today, you can see that Henson and Rockwell bring their A-game to the timely film.
Joining Henson and Rockwell is the cast are Anne Heche, Wes Bentley, Bruce McGill, John Gallagher Jr., and Nick Searcy. The film is written and directed by Robin Bissell, a longtime producer, making his debut with this film.
“The Best of Enemies” is scheduled to be released on April 5.
Here’s the official Synopsis:
Based on a true story, THE BEST OF ENEMIES centers on the unlikely relationship between Ann Atwater (Henson), an outspoken civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis (Rockwell), a local Ku Klux Klan leader who reluctantly co-chaired a community summit, battling over the desegregation of schools in Durham, North Carolina during the racially-charged summer of 1971. The incredible events that unfolded would change Durham and the lives of Atwater and Ellis forever.