With STXfilms releasing the true story drama,The Best of Enemies, this weekend in theaters, I recently sat down with writer-directorRobin Bissellto talk about helming his feature debut. During the extended interview, he talked about what he learned from producing a number ofGary Rossmovies, how he landedTaraji P. HensonandSam Rockwellas the two leads, the way Henson transformed herself intoAnn Atwater, how early screenings impacted the finished film, howTobey Maguireended up producing the film, which scenes he was nervous about due to his limited shooting schedule, and so much more.
If you haven’t seenthe trailer,The Best of Enemiescenters 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 film also starsBabou Ceesay,Anne Heche,Wes Bentley,Nick Searcy,John Gallagher Jr., andBruce McGill.
Check out what Robin Bissell had to say in the player above and below is exactly what we talked about.
Robin Bissell:
